6 Tips for Singing and Playing the Piano at the Same Time

6 Tips for Singing and Playing the Piano at the Same Time Suzy S. Artists like Billy Joel and Elton John may make it look effortless, but singing and playing the piano at the same time takes time and practice to truly master! Understandably, it’s difficult because you’re multitasking by playing two instruments simultaneously â€" your voice and the piano. It’s easy to lose concentration on one, while the other goes a little off; if you focus on your voice, you might mess up the timing with your fingers, and should you pay too much attention to the piano keys, you could find yourself mumbling along to the song. Getting this skill right will take plenty of practice, so we’ve put together a few singing tips to help you gain independence from your hands and sing excellently, too. To sing and play the piano at the same time, you will need to focus on: Singing at the correct pitch Maintaining both key and singing rhythm Assigning the correct word or syllable to a specific piano note Keeping the song’s timing and synchronized rhythm This may collectively sound like an impossible task, but with the right approach, youll get there with time. 1) Start with the Correct Posture Having correct posture is one of the key singing tips to note. Good posture translates to good breathing, and results in a better sound. It doesn’t matter whether you prefer sitting or standing â€" either is fine as long as you maintain flexibility in your spine. You may be tempted to bend forward as you play the piano, but straightening up not only looks better, it helps your voice and your breathing technique. 2) Position Your Mic Just Right The way you position your mic will affect your posture and your breathing technique, so make sure that you don’t need to lean forward too far. Your mic should also be placed at the correct height to encourage you to straighten your spine. 3) Sing and Play Separately at First During your preparation, try focusing your attention on one specific skill at a time. Start by singing a cappella and then work your way to singing along with a pre-recorded piano track. You can then try playing few simple chords while you focus on your singing technique. Then, switch the focus to the piano, while singing quietly. Keep at it until you’re feeling confident with the keys, and then slowly start to combine the two. 4) Draw Power From Your Lower Body Make sure that you’re not tightening your shoulders and neck to draw singing power from them. You should instead center your control and energy at your pelvic floor â€" this way, even if you’re sitting or standing, you’ll be able to sing with proper breathing and open throat technique. If you prefer being seated, one quick singing tip is to sit on the edge of your seat and press yourself down against it. If youre more comfortable standing, your legs should be shoulder-width apart as you draw power from your feet. 5) Play With Light Fingers This sounds simple, but playing lightly with your fingers will help reduce tension and the chance of you throwing yourself off. Keep your touch light and wrists flexible. This will allow your entire body to be more open. 6) Practice Regularly Youll need to be consistent in your practice in order to master this skill. It’s recommended that you practice at least half an hour every day, and if possible, record your sessions to track your improvements over time. You should notice a difference in your ability within a month or so. Have fun with your newfound skill! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of prescreened teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for safe, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo by  GBiB

Italian Grammar Mastering the Informal and Formal You

Italian Grammar Mastering the Informal and Formal You Brooke Neuman When it comes to Italian grammar, understanding  the informal and formal you can be very difficult. Below, Italian teacher Giulio G. shares some tips and tricks on how master this common Italian grammar conundrum In the Italian language, there are three  ways to say you; tu (informal)  Lei (formal)  and Voi (plural).  For beginner Italian students, it can be difficult to determine the correct  form  when speaking. After all, theres only one you in the English language. Nonetheless, its important that you choose the correct form when conversing with others. This is especially  important  when youre in formal settings; for example, when youre first meeting someone, speaking with an older person, or addressing a person with higher rank or authority. Below is an Italian lesson on  mastering the informal and formal you: Tu (Informal) Typically, tu is used in everyday conversation. For example, you would use tu when talking to someone your own age or younger. You may also use tu when speaking to someone that you know well, such as a friend or a family member. See examples below: Scusami, sai dov’è la stazione?  (You are asking for directions to a person you already know) Claudia, vuoi venire a cena a casa nostra? (Claudia is a friend of yours) Non capisco questo esercizio. Me lo puoi spiegare (You are asking a friend of yours to explain an exercise to you) Lei (Formal) Lei is used in a more formal setting. For example, when a person addresses someone  with whom he or she has a professional relationship, such as a colleague or professor. Its also used when  a person starts a conversation with someone  with whom he or she does not have any previous relationship. See examples below: Mi scusi, sa dov’è la stazione?  (You are asking for directions to a complete stranger) Dottor Rossi, vuole venire a cena a casa nostra? (Dottor Rossi can be your boss, an elderly person, or an important figure) Non capisco questo esercizio me lo può spiegare? (You are asking your professor for help) Oftentimes, once you get to know an Italian they will ask you, Possiamo darci del tu?, which means they would like  switch to the tu form now that theyre  more comfortable with you. Voi (Plural) In the past, voi  was often used as a formal way of addressing someone and showing respect; for example government officials or the Pope. Oftentimes, children would use it to address their elders.  See examples below: Padre, oggi  indossate una così bella cravatta. (Father, you are wearing such a beautiful tie today.) Grandma, are you going to the Mass? (Grandma, are you gong to the Mass?) Vostra eminenza, potreste incontrarmi? Ho bisogno di un consiglio.  (Your Eminence, could you meet me? I  need advice.) Voi, however, is no longer really used in normal social situations. Nonetheless, its important to be familiar with how to use it just in case. Learning the Italian grammar rules for the informal and formal you isnt easy. However, working with your Italian teacher and practicing on your own is a good way to master this pesky Italian grammar rule. Post Author: Giulio Giannetti Giulio Giannetti received his degree from the University of Florence in linguistics and intercultural relations and is currently getting his masters degree at the University of Bologna. Find a language lesson near you. Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

How Students Can Improve Their Research Skills

How Students Can Improve Their Research Skills If you feel overwhelmed by the thought of completing yet another difficult research paper, there are a few things that can make the process a little easier. Students can improve their research skills by being comfortable asking questions, understanding how to organize information, learning how to find credible sources, and more. Research papers involve a level of examination that can be tricky for any student. Luckily, students have many chances to further develop these skills, as research papers are commonly requested from teachers across all grade levels. Ace your next research paper by following these tips: Improve research skills by asking good questions Once you have your topic selected, you need to ask yourself some questions. Begin by listing what you know about your subject to gauge your existing expertise. Next, ask yourself what you hope to learn through your research, which is often dictated by the assignment. Knowing what sort of information youre looking for can give you some direction as you dive into your project. If there are other requirements for your project, now is a good time to list them out; maybe you need an in-person interview, two scholarly articles, and one book. Get all questions answered now to make sure that your paper or project will be complete. [RELATED: Which Style Guide Should I Use?] You should also write your thesis statement (or a version of what it will become) to provide you direction when youre faced with the wealth of information available to you as a researcher. That way, you can narrow your focus a bit more. Ask your teacher for guidance on this if youd like a second opinion. Improve research skills by thinking carefully about your sources Now that you have a game plan, its time to get to work. As you begin to accumulate information, it is always a good idea to check your source and ask yourself a few questions: Is it outdated? Is it biased? Can you confirm the information provided in at least one other place? If not, your information may be less than ideal. Begin with an internet search for scholarly articles (most web browsers are now smart enough to separate these from less helpful information online). If youre struggling to find good information, a great place to look for additional information is in the source material of another source youve found valuable to your research. While youve probably been told that Wikipedia is an unacceptable source, the sources listed at the bottom could be validand could often be good jumping-off points for source material. You might also think about learning advanced web search techniques, which can help refine your searches by providing you with the tools you need to find optimal keywords, phrasing, etc. in your research. Consult one of the librarians at your school for guidance on this. Improve research skills by organizing your information As you begin to make progress in your information, youll need to keep it organized to make sure each item you collect is unique and relevant. Chances are, youre going to be using the internet for much of your information. Bookmarks and subfolders can be a good way to divide up your information for easy access. If youre someone who likes things directly in front of you, you may consider printing pieces of research you think will be most valuable. In preparation for your paper or project, you should also consider making an outline once you have a few sources. Where is your paper going? That may have changed from your early attempts at a thesis. Consider making a mind-map if youre a visual learner or a more traditional outline (make it on a big piece of paper so you can refer to it easily to guide your research), and identify holes in your information (i.e. places in your argument that may be weak). Improve research skills by seeking out examples If youre struggling during any part of this process, it can be helpful if you ask your teacher to view a sample of past student work. Look at a paper that your teacher felt was a positive example, so you know where the bar is set. Can you identify things the good paper employed during research? Emulate them. [RELATED: The Importance of Writing Skills] Similarly, have a trusted family member or friend review your paper, which can help make your research stronger. Have them consider the following questions as they review: Are you clearly articulating your information or argument? Are there places where youve offered insufficient information? Your reviewers may be able to point them for you. The bottom line when improving research skills It can feel like a challenge to capture such large amounts of information when youre faced with seemingly endless sources, so try not to approach research in such big chunks. By asking good questions, staying organized, using good and varied sources, and utilizing the work and skills of your peers, youll slowly master the research papera skill that will serve you for many years to come. Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

Residential Summer Camps

Residential Summer Camps Live-in Summer Camps ChaptersStrictly Outdoors CampsHybrid CampingCamping With the ArtsEvery year around this time, give or take a few months, parents around the world turn their thoughts to their children’s Easter and summer holidays. How to keep the kids entertained? How to make sure they will be safe and supervised while you are at work?How to restrict their time with electronic gadgets, keep them active and engaged and make sure they eat well â€" not just crisps and chips and chocolate?Concerned parents in the UK are no different.Like parents the world over, we want our kids to have the best experiences, the kind that shapes our progeny into self-assured, confident individuals who will eventually find their place in the world.We also want them to stay safe while we’re bringing home the bacon that will afford them those enriching experiences.In one way, we’ve been luckier than most: our culture still embraces the boarding school. With our children safely tucked into residence halls that provide extended care, our worries over them during the school year are, to a large part, allayed.Equally fortunately, some of those schools also run summer residence programmes.For students enrolled in those, the curriculum is less academic and more focused on skills-building and discovery, although some academic subjects may for the theme of the ‘camp’.Math camps, science camps and even arts training are popular choices of such camps for kids. You might even choose a tech camp so your kids can learn how to code, develop computer games and/or build robots!With time being of the essence â€" early registration guarantees your child a place at camp (and may afford you a discounted fee), we waste no time in cruising all over the UK to find the best summer residence camps and see what they have to offer. CalumDrama School Entrance Teacher 5.00 (15) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ToriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors OliviaSchool support Teacher 5.00 (2) £21/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkESOL (English) Teacher 4.76 (17) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YuweiChinese Teacher 4.33 (6) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JenniferMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LouiseAutoCAD Teacher 5.00 (3) £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RickyPercussion Teacher 5.00 (7) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicolasGuitar Teacher 5.00 (2) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MyriamOrganic chemistry Teacher 5.00 (13) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JonathanEconomics Teacher 5.00 (9) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Oluwakemi imoleMaths Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlexPhysics Teacher 5.00 (1) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AdamSinging Teacher 5.00 (14) £48/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValentiniMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (2) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MilenaMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RashmiEconomics Teacher 5.00 (1) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsStrictly Outdoors CampsAdmittedly, residence-camping is much more popular across the pond than it is here and, there, the emphasis has traditionally been on outdoorsy, adventure activities with a hefty dose of socialising thrown in.Although sleeping in dorms is not much of a discomfort for our students, especially those who live in residential halls at school, sleeping rough - outside, on the ground or in a tent is not necessarily our definition of fun.And, unlike just about everything else American that we Brits have taken a shine to, rough camping is approached cautiously. We apparently like the idea of a week-long sojourn into adventure, so we’ve adapted their idea of camping to suit our tastes.There are a number of residential camps to be found around the UK where tents and sleep ing bags do feature, along with an inordinate amount of fun and adventure.We’ll look at those camps, first. While not quite this undisciplined, adventure camps do go off the beaten path a bit Image by Nadezhda Zima from PixabayMill on the BrueAlthough sleeping in a tent is an option, at Brue, campers have the option of bunking in a cabin or even a house, albeit still in a dormitory, with others. What does all of that togetherness promise?Mill on the Brue emphasises problem-solving through team building activities such as solving logic puzzles or building a raft.The life skills your child will learn, not the least of which is cooperation will follow them long after they’ve left their camping years behind.Wickedly WonderfulIf your child cannot stay out of the water when you go on holiday to the beach, you should probably consider this residence camp. From riding a pony along the water line to learning how to boogie board, any sun, sand and sea enthusiast would feel perfectly at home here.What we really liked about Wickedly Wonderful was their penchant for eating outdoors, unless it rains, of course. Then, campers get to eat in teepees.That’s what we like. What impressed us the most is that most sweets are banned and so are electronics! There isn’t even any WIFI…So uniformly great is this camping venture that we featured it in our list of top-rated kids camps.Camp WildernessIf your child stays glued to the telly (or the computer) at the mere mention of Bear Grylls, this is the camp for him/her.Their 3- or 5-day stint will teach them elements of survival from building a shelter to lighting a fire. Foraging for food and semi-long hikes are integral parts of this camping experience.You needn’t worry about illness or injury: everything is done under the careful supervision of trained camp counselors in a safe environment.Hybrid CampingAll around the UK, there are camps that involve a great deal of outdoor activity but the campers sleep in dorms every night. Camp Cooper is an excellent example of such.Located in Glasgow and making use of American camping philosophy , this facility has a dining hall, separate dorms for boys and girls and lots of structured activities â€" from sports and outdoor adventures to music and theatre events.Camp Cooper also welcomes international campers, adding to their long list of attributes the possibility of your child forging friendships with campers from distant lands. A camp fire is an integral part of the camp experience Image by Alison Updyke from PixabayLearn and ExperienceMuch more in tune with British tastes is this camping venture â€" not to say that your kids will be short-changed on experiencing any elements of camping.There will still be campfires and physical challenges and lots of water play but there will also be cricket and archery and indoor activities such as arts and crafts.Wellington Riding SchoolAnother positively British camping flavour is this residential camp offering but it comes with a caveat: your child must be able to ride â€" off the lead rein and nearly at a canter before becoming a participant.This camp’s premise is unique: each camper is assigned their own horse to care for and ride; the week culminates in a competition to prove the best among all equestrians.As you might have guessed, all of the activities in this camp involve horses.Camping With the ArtsWe are now getting as far away as possible from camping in its purest form. None of these ventures involves any outdoor activity, save for maybe walking from their dorm to the workshops and rehearsal halls.Centre Stage Summer SchoolIf your child aspires to The Arts, tripping the light fantastic and exercising soaring vocals, this is the only camp to have on your radar.Unfettered by WIFI or television, all your kids will have to focus on is making their dream of performing come true.Their efforts will be guided by seasoned professionals of stage and screen who, in spite of the seriousness of their endeavour, nevertheless sprinkle fun activities throughout the work. Art camps include fashion design programmes as well as theatre and singing Image by purple_confetti from PixabayCambridge School for Visual and Performing ArtsAnything ‘Cambridge’ has cachet, including its illustrious school for The Arts.Such renown doesn’t go to waste when school is not in session; instead, the school opens its doors for an assortment of summer camp programmes, from fashion design to film making and directing.If your teen is angling toward a career in fashion, singing, dancing or drama, this is the camp for you.With its full week of mentoring by professional artists, Cambridge’s drama camp is especially popular. And, besides learning the rigours of the metier, there are evening excursions and other activities to look forward to.These offerings are truly summer camp, UK style!Met Film Making CampWhereas Cambridge diversifies its camp offerings, the Met focuses on film making exclusively.Camp activities include everything related to the making of films, from s cene writing to video editing and everything in between.If your child’s heroes are named Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, you could win their adulation forever by affording them the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of those giants of the industry.By no means is this a comprehensive list of all residence camps in the UK; we haven’t even touched on camps for app development or video game design. Nor have we said anything about sports camp.And, admittedly, day camps are far more popular in the UK, especially those that incorporate field trips. The cost is a bit less prohibitive while still rendering the same benefits: making new friends, learning new skills and, most of all, having fun.Camps for children are truly an idea whose time has come in the UK, and it doesn’t matter if your child is 5 or 15 years old; all of the camps we investigated feature age-appropriate activities.Furthermore, your child will have a camp counselor who specialises in youth development.After the ir stint at camp comes to an end, you will be reunited with a child brimming with self-confidence.A child whose every summer day was filled with adventure and learning, whose weeklong â€" or two-week journey into discovery resulted in them keen to learn more about whatever activity they were introduced to at camp.Their enthusiasm for camping may even lead you to consider family camp for your next holiday…Contact information for residence camps:Facility nameLocationPhone numberAge group(s)Mill on the BrueBruton0174 981 23078 to 15 yearsWickedly WonderfulWest Wittering0794 123 11686 to 13 yearsCamp WildernessHertford0333 200 44697 to 15 yearsCamp CooperGlasgow0333 344 00777 to 17 yearsLearn and ExperienceBedale0175 673 09828 to 14 yearsWellington Riding SchoolHeckfield0118 932 63087 to 16 yearsCentre Stage Summer SchoolBelfast0800 324 70468 to 18 yearsCambridge School for Visual and Performing ArtsCambridge0122 334 569815 to 18 yearsMET Film Making CampRugby0208 832 193314 to 17 yea rsNow, discover where all the best summer camps near you are.

What is AP Environmental Science

What is AP Environmental Science In 1998, the College Board first administered the AP Environmental Science exam for high school students. The exam is relatively new, and so is the larger discipline: the academic field of environmental science began to take form in the 1960s and 1970s as public awareness and complex regulation began to develop around environmental problems. At AJ Tutoring, we are very excited to work with advanced high school students on the AP Environmental Science (affectionately known as “APES”) class and exam. The GoalThe goal of studying environmental science at any level is to better understand the complex interactions between natural and human systems. With a holistic view of biological and political systems, students explore how the human world and the natural world are interwoven in such a fashion that is sometimes mutually beneficial, while in other instances more problematic. Additionally, by understanding the methodologies, students can gain insight on how to identify environmental p roblems, evaluate risks, and examine potential solutions.Click here to learn more about our AP test preparation plans!The ContentThe AP course as a whole consists of multiple disciplines but has a number of recurring themes: science is a process that is constantly changing, solar energy is the basis of all systems, the whole earth is interconnected, humans alter natural environments and these alterations have cultural and economic contexts.The curriculum will discuss the earths individual systems such as water cycles, earth’s orbit around the sun, and tectonic plates along with how these systems are interconnected and have changed over geological time. These systems have a profound impact on the living world and the course will seek to develop an understanding of how all ecosystem structures rest on the flow of energy from the sun all the way to the apex predators. Human use of resources such as water and land, along with waste in the form of pollution, will in turn have significa nt disruptive effects on the pre-existing ecosystems. Human efforts to generate electric energy to power modern society all generate some form of pollution. As a healthy and stable environment is paramount to not only human prosperity but also human survival, it is crucial that students understand the impacts our systems have on the natural world. Thus, the field of environmental science is more important than ever, and the AP course offers an engaging and rigorous introduction to this crucial subject.Although the curriculum isn’t necessarily the most expansive and detailed AP course, the AP Environmental Science exam has a challenging grade distribution. In 2016, only 7.4% of students taking the test received the top score of 5. Our tutors are knowledgeable about the curriculum and can help your student maximize her potential for engagement with the curriculum and success on test day. Please reach out to us today for more information!

Huntington Learning Center Celebrates Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month

Huntington Learning Center Celebrates Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month This month, the Huntington Learning Center is celebrating Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month, an annual event that aims to increase the understanding and appreciation of mathematics and statistics. These two subjects are important drivers of innovation in the technological world, where new methodologies and systems are always becoming more complex. Eileen Huntington, CEO Co-Founder of Huntington Learning Center says that Huntington is proud to join colleges and universities, high school departments, institutional public information offices, math clubs, student groups and other related groups in the celebration. Many students turn to Huntington for help with math, and we are always quick to share with them how important math is not just in school, but life, says Huntington. Math and statistics play a huge part in many current issuesfrom the data surge brought on by the digital age to climate change, from economic progress to internet security. In April, we take time to elevate the importance of math to the families we serve and remind them of its practical application. Huntingtonadds that while many parents feel ill-equipped to help their children with math homework, there are many simple ways to encourage children to put math and statistics to use in daily life.She offers these ideas: Have your child join your fantasy football league each year and show him or her how the weekly statistics are calculated. Invite your child to balance your checkbook each week. Have your child help you maintain your family budget if you use a program like QuickBooks or a simple Excel spreadsheet. Whenever you measure anything in the kitchen, have your child get involved in the addition or doubling or halving of a recipe. Together, collect data over a period of time and create an interesting graph or chart. For example, the number of snow days, your familys wakeup times or your childs height. Visit the sports page of the newspaper or news website to get familiar with sports statistics and start tracking that data. When you grocery shop, have your child keep a running tally of the bill and compare prices of different products to understand which product is a better deal. Whenever major news breaks about an event or discovery that involves math or statistics, share it with your child. Set up a savings account for your child and give him or her savings goals and a regular chore of calculating interest and keep track of the account balance. Now in its 32nd year, Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month began in 1986 when President Ronald Reagan issued a proclamation to establish National Mathematics Awareness Week. This annual celebration is a collaborative effort of the American Mathematical Society, the American Statistical Association, the Mathematical Association of America and the Society for Industrial Applied Mathematics. To learn more about Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month, visit www.mathaware.org. About Huntington Huntington is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntingtons mission is to give every student the best education possible. Learn how Huntington can help at www.huntingtonhelps.com. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. 2018 Huntington Mark, LLC. Huntington Learning Center, the three-leaf logo, and 1 800 CAN LEARN are registered trademarks of Huntington Mark, LLC. Each franchised Huntington Learning Center is operated under a franchise agreement with Huntington Learning Centers, Inc. SAT is a registered trademark of the College Board. ACT is a registered trademark of ACT, Inc. These entities were not involved in the production of and do not endorse either program.

Halloween and the establishment of gender roles

Halloween and the establishment of gender roles PartyCity.coms boys and girls toddler Cookie Monster costumes So although I was concerned? disappointed? upon seeing a post on Tumblr the other day comparing the boys and girls options for Cookie Monster toddler-sized costumes (see image, left) the other day, I cant say I was surprised. Now, Im not saying that someone sat down and brainstormed how they could make the toddler girls Cookie Monster costume sexy. I rather hope that anyone who would do such a thing is, you know, in jail. But I also think that the comparison at left shows the roots of the gender divide in Halloween costumes. The costume intended for boys (and therefore marketed to the parents of boys) is concerned with actually duplicating to some degree what Cookie Monster actually looks like. It also looks like its made of warm material, which is important in a large sector of the United States. By contrast, the girls Cookie Monster costume (marketed to the parents of girls) is merely a hat tip to the character of Cookie Monster slapped onto the basic frame of a frilly dress. There is essentially no attempt to make the costume actually look like Cookie Monster. And if relative warmth of a costume is an issue, parents will have to provide a turtleneck and tights to wear under the dress themselves, because keeping the costumed girl warm is clearly not a priority of this costume either. On PartyCity.com, the toddler boys section of costumes has separate career and classic themed sub-sections. In the toddler girls section, the two are combined.   Careers to which the boys might aspire? NASCAR driver, police officer (including SWAT and regular uniforms), soldier (generic army), admiral, fighter pilot, commercial pilot, firefighter, astronaut, UPS driver, postal worker, magician, and clown. With the girls career costumes combined with the classic ones, its difficult to pinpoint the precise number of careers Party City believes little girls might be aspiring to. Near as I can tell, they are as follows: cowgirl, cheerleader, clown, magician (although Id have pegged the costume as a magic-using princess if they hadnt labeled it as a magician), celebrity starlet (a la Paris Hilton), half-pint referee (in a miniskirt even the NFL replacement refs didnt wear miniskirts), and a can-can girl. PartyCity.coms toddler Superman and Wonder Woman costumes Further perusal of the selection of toddler costumes shows a general tendency for the boys costumes to attempt to duplicate (with varying degrees of simplification) the actual look of whatever the costume ostensibly represents whilst there is a general tendency for the girls costumes to attempt to fit whatever the costume ostensibly represents to a frilly dress, usually at the expense of direct representation. Often with the girls costumes there isnt even an attempt to pretend a real thing is being represented a frilly tutu dress with a cupcake on it becomes a Lil Cupcake costume. Is she supposed to be a cupcake? A person who sells cupcakes? A person who eats cupcakes? Its not a costume! Its a frilly dress with a cupcake on it! Another tendency I noticed is that with the boys costumes there is a marked tendency to add muscles. This is not particularly unexpected when youre talking about the superhero costumes (such as the toddler Superman costume at left), but it becomes a bit ridiculous when the toddler astronaut costume adds muscles. Im pretty sure you cant see muscles in a spacesuit! Maybe Im just looking at them from the wrong angle. This pattern of adding muscles to boys costumes even when logic dictates one shouldnt is not at all present in girls costumes even the superhero ones. Arguably, WonderWoman should have some muscles. Magic bracelets or no, shes a superhero, and Im pretty sure theyve got muscles. But the WonderWoman costume is just a dress and some accessories. (And I wont even mention the fact that whilst none of the boys in any of the age groups are wearing discernable makeup unless its an intrinsic part of the costume, even the toddler girls are clearly fully made up. Lipstick, eyeliner, mascara, blush, the whole deal.) My favorite irony in the toddler section, however, is that in the boys selection of TV/movie costumes, there is a costume for Hedwig, Harry Potters pet owl. There is not a Hedwig costume (nor indeed any Harry Potter-related costume) in the toddler girls section. This is ironic because Hedwig is a female owl. (Apparently she was played in the films by a male owl, but she was still referred to in said films as a female character.) PartyCity.coms kids cowboy and cowgirl costumes I moved on to investigate the kids section, which is again divided into boys and girls sections and further subdivided by theme. On the plus side, in this age group there are enough career costumes for the girls to have their own section of them. Of course, said section is still littered with careers such as cupcake cutie, gypsy princess (nice work if you can get it?), 1950s carhop (aka waitress), another miniskirted-referee, another impractically-dressed cowgirl (my sister is the genuine article and I promise you shes never looked anything like the girls costume at left, although she has come close to the boys version), and three varieties of cheerleader, none of whom sound particularly cheery (the bad spirit cheerleader, the cheerless cheerleader, and the gothic cheerleader). There is a doctor costume which pops up in the results, but it is the same costume thats listed in the boys section, right down to the little boy who is modeling it. Naturally the boys career selection is somewhat better at having actual careers represented. Additionally, the trend of boys costumes leaning more towards actual representation and girls costumes leaning towards making the supposed subject of the costume fit onto a dress continues in the older age group, even extending to odd costumes like the birds from the game Angry Birds. The boy version is vaguely angry bird-shaped, whilst the girl version is a little red dress with an angry bird face on it. PartyCity.coms boys Escaped Prisoner and girls Miss Dee Meaner Prisoner costumes And then theres the criminal costumes. For toddlers, there was one prisoner costume. It was essentially striped pajamas and was listed only under the boys section. For older kids, there are boys and girls options. The boys option (far left) is simply titled Escaped Prisoner costume and consists of loose-fitting striped pajamas, a pair of over-size manacles, and ball and chain for the childs ankle. The girls option, on the other hand, is titled Miss Dee Meaner Prisoner costume. It consists of capri-length leggings, a fitted tunic, and pink handcuff bracelets. Its a pretty short step from this to the Wardens Mistress womens costume, thats all Im saying. In and of itself, the Miss Dee Meaner costume (which again, is intended for young girls, not teens) is perhaps only minorly problematic. Indeed, in and of itself, the toddler Cookie Monster dress isnt particularly problematic. Its not particularly effective either, at least not if ones goal is to dress ones child up as Cookie Monster, but hey, some little girls just want to wear a frilly dress. Which is fine. If your little girl wants a frilly dress, give the girl a frilly dress. But the problem is that unless the parent (or the child) thinks to/is willing to look in the boys costumes as well, there arent very many options that arent a frilly dress or, as the child gets older, a slinky dress. PartyCity.coms toddler Lil Cupcake and teen Cupcake Girl costumes For example, the Lil Cupcake frilly dress for the toddler (far left) turns into the Cupcake Girl extremely abbreviated slinky dress (near left) for the teen. And Im still not entirely sure what career this represents for the toddler, or how cupcake patterned minidress qualifies as a classic costume for the teen. Then again, perhaps the reason why costume makers for young girls find it so difficult to create girl versions of police officer costumes or firefighter costumes or military costumes has to do with what the woman versions of those costumes look like. As far as people who make costumes for grown-ups are concerned, female Naval officers look like this, female Army commandos like this, female fighter pilots (excuse me, Air Force Angels, because obviously there are no female fighter pilots) like this, female cops like this, female firefighters like this, female astronauts like this, and they have no idea what female doctors look like, because all female medical professionals are nurses who look something like this. This article doesnt even really begin to scratch the surface of the murky gender issues surrounding Halloween and I didnt even get to reminisce about all the varieties of sexy _____ to which I bore witness over three Halloweens at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, but I hope Ive given yall something to think about. Im not sure what my Halloween plans are this year, but if I do find myself a party to attend, I think Ill just go as Arthur Dent from The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. Yeah, hes a man and Im not, but all Id need would be pajamas, a robe, and a towel. Sounds like a plan to me.