Problem: Article: Depending on how tall the child is, get down onto your knees or sit on the floor to talk with them. Eye contact is super important for communication, and if you are towering over them, they probably can’t see your eyes or facial expressions very well.   If it’s hard for you to kneel or sit on the hard floor, try bringing a chair over to where they are. If you’re trying to talk about something serious that the child might be avoiding, ask them to make eye contact with you. If after you ask them to make eye contact and they still won’t, consider coming back to the conversation later or have the conversation while they are looking away from you. If they use a doll or stuffed animal to talk through, talk back to that toy. If they start telling you about how they went to the moon recently, ask them to tell you more about what they did there. Imagination and playing make-believe is a big part of creativity, so play along! Don’t correct them if they tell you something you know isn’t true, like that the middle of the earth is made of cheese. Just go with it—you might even have more fun than you imagined! “Would You Rather” is a fun game to play with kids, as is “I Spy.” You could even build something with them out of LEGOs or do a puzzle with them. Doing an activity together provides a backdrop for communication and connection.  Make sure to keep questions and games kid-friendly! For older children, you may want to learn (or ask them to teach you) how to play their favorite video games or games on the phone. They also might like to learn more advanced board games, like Monopoly or Clue. It’s okay to tell a child that you don’t like a particular activity (chances are they would tell you if they were bored or didn’t want to do something). Ask if there is something else they would like to do, or make a suggestion for a different activity you could do together. In the end, be open to making compromises, and perhaps set a time limit for how long you will do a certain activity.  Be honest and say something like, “I don’t enjoy playing with Play-Doh because it makes my hands smell funny. Could we color together instead?” For older children, ask them to explain to you why they like an activity so much. It might just spark an interest in you, too! Even if it’s not a new toy from the store, just bringing something that they don’t normally play with is a fun and exciting thing! Younger children might like colored pencils, construction paper, stuffed animals, puppets, or small puzzles—things you may already have around the house that you could toss into a bag to bring with you. For older children, bring new books or puzzles.  If this is a child you see regularly, like a niece or nephew, try to always have something new in your bag. That way, every time you show up, they will be excited to see what new kinds of activities you brought along! If you are a babysitter, consider creating a babysitting bag. Pretend like you are going to take a nap but want a “bed-time story” first. Lay down on the floor with a pillow and ask them to tell you a story. They can read to you from a book if they are old enough, or they could re-tell one of their favorite stories, or make up a new one of their own! Or, tell them a story—either one you have made up or you could let them pick out a book for you to read to them. Another fun option is to have them tell you a story and you write it down for them. Then, you can talk about it and even draw pictures about it together later.
Summary: Get on your knees or sit down so you are level with them. Play along with younger children when they say weird things. Learn a few games you can play with them. Find compromises on activities to do together. Bring along gifts. Tell stories to each other.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Locksmiths are contractors that make, install, or repair locks. It is a reliable career path and is quite fun if you enjoy working with your hands to solve complex problems. Many locksmiths compare the job to solving puzzles, since it is an intellectually-stimulating job that requires a lot of critical thinking.  You must be at least 18 years old and have a clean criminal history if you’re going to become a locksmith. The process of becoming a locksmith can take anywhere from 3 months to 2 years depending on how much training you pursue and what the requirements are where you live. To become a qualified locksmith, you must have a high school diploma. Sign up for a GED class in your area and complete the coursework if you never finished high school. Then, take the final exam to pass the class and earn your certificate.  It may be easier to find a job if you have a college degree, but you’ll still need to become certified. GED stands for General Education Development. In most trades, it fulfills the requirement of a high school degree. A vocational school is a post-secondary educational program that trains students how to perform a trade. After getting your GED or high school diploma, look online to find a vocational school near you with a locksmith program. Sign up, pay the tuition, and enroll in your classes. Spend the next 1-2 years learning about the construction, repair, and installation of locks. Locksmithing programs typically cover other security issues as well, such as surveillance, theft deterrence, and electronic locks.  Vocational school usually costs somewhere between $10,000 and $30,000. This is the most time-consuming way to become qualified, but you’ll get an extremely thorough understanding of the field. Most vocational schools help you get certified and find work after you graduate as well. If you live in a state that doesn’t require certification, vocational schools will typically award you with an accreditation that will make it easier for you to find work. Locksmithing classes are typically hosted by private companies or locksmithing businesses. Look online to find a class near you if you want to learn the craft and become qualified without spending a ton of time and money on a vocational degree. These classes are typically very intensive, and will focus specifically on doors and home locks. These classes typically take 5-20 weeks to complete and may have a test at the end.  If you complete a certified lockpicking course, you will be awarded a letter of recommendation demonstrating that you’ve completed their coursework. This will help you get certified in most states. Locksmithing requires hands-on experience, and there are a lot of disreputable online programs. Sign up for an in-person class if you can.

SUMMARY: Become a locksmith if you enjoy working with your hands and solving puzzles. Earn a high school diploma or get your GED. Attend vocational school if you want formal training in the field. Sign up for a locksmith class for a faster way to learn the craft.

In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: You can buy “sofa savers” for sofas online or at home goods stores like Bed, Bath & Beyond. Put these supports underneath your couch cushions to give them more support and firmness. Measure the space underneath the sofa cushions and cut a piece of plywood to those dimensions. Place it underneath the cushions. You will feel more support underneath the cushions, and the couch should sag less. Flip the couch over and expose the springs underneath the couch. To repair the springs of your sofa, you will need to wear glasses and use a pair of pliers. If you see any springs that are bent out of place (i.e., they look different from the rest of the springs), bend them back with the pliers gently.
Summary: Support your couch cushions. Cut a piece of plywood to fit underneath the sofa cushions. Repair the springs.

In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: If you're having a hard time contorting your hands into the bizarre shapes needed to make hand shadow puppets, don't worry! You can make wonderful, detailed miniature shadow puppets with just a few common materials you'll probably have lying around the house. For this project, you’ll need:  Construction paper A light source (like a lamp or light bulb) A cardboard box (for your "stage") Straws or balsa wood sticks Tape Thin tissue paper or baking parchment (for your “screen”)
Summary:
Gather your materials.