Dandelion is from a French phrase dent de lion, from Latin dens leonis ‘lion’s tooth’ – based on the deeply toothed edges of the leaves of this weed. Dandelion is the name given any plant of the genus Taraxacum of the family Asteraceae (aster), perennial herbs found widely in temperate regions. Its bright yellow flower is followed in fruit by a round head of white down, which is an adaptation for wind distribution of the seed-like fruits. Though many think of it as a weed or lawn nuisance, it is an extremely useful plant and can be made into coffee, wine, and medicine; used for salad greens; and in making rubber. Some say there is a ‘missing link’ in this (and other words’) etymology: that of Anglo-French. Dandelion is said by the authorities to be first found in English in the 16th century and to be an adaptation of the French dent-de-lion. Yet Godefroy’s (Godefroy, F., Dictionnaire de l’ancienne langue française et de tous ses dialectes du IXe au XVe siècle, 10 vols; Paris, 1880-1902) sole example of dandelyon comes from the Englishman Palsgrave, a dating which clearly refutes the claim that the sixteenth-century English word is “adapted” from continental French.
There are misconceptions that children have a better chance of succeeding in life if they do well in school. For that reason, some parents tend to may pressure their children to study harder. Others forget that children need to play as much as they need to go to school. However, academic does not guarantee happiness. Not all children who do well in school become successful in life.
In real life, there are few scholars who feel that they are not good enough. But, there are a number of seemingly mediocre students who later turn out to be very happy and contented individuals. Each child is talented in his own way and has potential to become successful.
It’s a fact that not all children are good in school. They are talented in various ways and possess different temperaments. Some are not good at certain subjects, while others are just brilliant in all school-related activities. In same way, not everyone can sing or play basketball or baseball well.
Parents should help their children to discover talents. If they are good in school, give them books and encourage them to perform as best as they could. If not, highlight the areas where they shine. If they do well in basketball, give them the ball; if the child is good at baseball, give them Baseball Gloves. Parents need to offer these gifts, no matter how trivial they are. Nurture these talents and help children appreciate the strengths that they possess.
