Jobs in Education System

Kidzone

Two,Pretty,Hispanic,Children,Riding,On,Their,Bikes

Creative parenting: Does your child’s self-esteem need a boost?

– Cynthia John Children don’t always express their disappointment and pain. They often get insulted, compared, humiliated and hurt when they fail to meet their own and others expectations of them. Here are two tested ways to build your child’s self-esteem. When you praise, tell your child exactly what she has done well instead of being general. Say, “Your choice of colours is creative and eye-catching,” rather than, “That’s good”. A specific compliment conveys greater sincerity and depth. It tells children how to keep up good work. Conversely when children fail to meet expectations, appreciate the effort invested, and highlight positives associated with the effort. For example, children who have lost an inter-school cricket match won’t feel so bad if they were told that at net practice they play much better and exhibit greater potential. Appreciating good effort in a sport will take the focus away from losing, and help children feel good that they played the game.

Already a subscriber

Click here to log in and continue reading by entering your registered email address or subscribe now

Join with us in our mission to build the pressure of public opinion to make education the #1 item on the national agenda

Happy,Indian,Family,Enjoy,Eating,Food,,Selective,Focus,On,Handsome

Winning mealtime and bedtime battles

Sangeetha N. Do you often have mealtime and bedtime battles with your children? Here are a few things to think about: You aren’t alone. Most families have regular dining table and bedroom battles. This awareness may not improve your situation, but it might help in making you feel less helpless and more confident that such battles are commonplace and can be won. Do something different. Offer a ‘fruit lunch’ with apples, bananas, strawberries and oranges. Add a bowl of roasted nuts. Or serve cake and vegetable cutlets for lunch. Doing something new gives parent and child some stress relief. This can help break the habit of fighting at mealtimes. You can easily find ‘different’ meals that are healthy by including milk, eggs, nuts and fruits. Of course this can’t be done every day, but when children receive such indulgence, it could create a better attitude at regular mealtimes. If your child makes a fuss about going to bed on time, try placing a tent in the living room, or allowing her to sleep on the sofa once in a while. Stop fighting. if your child refuses to eat, don’t argue. Be agreeable and provide options. You may want to tell your child where to get food when hungry, or that he/she needs to wait until the next meal-time. There isn’t a single solution for home battles, as you probably know. But it’s essential to remain cool, and attempt different solutions. Sooner or later, you’ll hit on the right one. Add excitement to routine. To get children to bed ask them to snuggle into bed imagining there are cuddly animals all around. Create a short story to go with imaginative play. At mealtimes, invite friends over, or go on a picnic nearby. Again, this can’t be done every day, but an occassional picnic or party will improve attitudes towards food. If your child is interested, get him/her to help with preparing meals or snacks for the family. Most kids are excited about what they make and will eat it more easily than what you prepare and place on the table. Increase physical activity. Increased physical activity will help children eat and sleep better. This sounds simple, but fitting more physical activity into the daily routine isn’t always easy. Offering new ideas and challenges like rope skipping 100 times without a break, and trying to break one’s own record (or that of a sibling) can help. Dance, martial arts and sports classes provide regular workouts, and also improve the overall health, well-being and confidence of children.

Already a subscriber

Click here to log in and continue reading by entering your registered email address or subscribe now

Join with us in our mission to build the pressure of public opinion to make education the #1 item on the national agenda

Heart to Heart

Heart to Heart

Hello All Parents! Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor gush about the pleasures of parenting. The media, now and always, loves highlighting happy parent-child photos and stories. Yet down-to-earth parents know that parenting is not quite the joyride it’s made out to be. Sure, there are moments of joy, tenderness and pride, but children’s tantrums, bedtime battles and fussy dietary habits take up far more parental energy than is usually broadcast. That’s why when friends and family members ask why I can’t solve my own parenting problems even as I write books and articles on parenting, I tell them that life is a long journey that is so dynamic and ever-changing that there are no magic solutions or answers. While it’s arguable that anything written about parenting helps some parents, it’s pertinent to bear in mind that advice is open to interpretation and application according to varying parenting styles, situations and your children’s personalities. As parents, we face problems and situations of children of varying ages, stages, and attitudes. But a statement that always brings comfort is: “This stage will pass.” Hope springs eternal that things will improve. Also it’s comforting to know that most parents experience the same or similar problems. And to learn that the joy and pride your children bring to you, is entirelv your own.

Already a subscriber

Click here to log in and continue reading by entering your registered email address or subscribe now

Join with us in our mission to build the pressure of public opinion to make education the #1 item on the national agenda

Heart to Heart

Heart to Heart

Hello Parents! Do you enjoy helping your child with homework? Most parents would say an unequivocal ‘No.’ With all the other tasks that need to be completed, this just becomes another chore. We all want our children to experience the joy of learning. But do we experience it ourselves? Like most other sentient beings, children learn from what they see in our lives. If we want them to discover the joy of learning as they evolve, we should also experience the wonder of discovery. We might have gone through a rote-learning system at school, and missed out the interesting pedagogies that schools are beginning to use today. So why not try to experience the joy of learning now? Exploring your child’s books and subjects together with her might make you aware that there’s so much you don’t know or thought about. A little extra effort to go beyond textbooks and try some hands-on experiments or make a field trip will help you learn new things and simultaneously open new windows for your child. If you can invest time and effort to bring something new to her schoolwork, to find out a little more about the assigned topic, together you can take the boredom out of homework. Of course it’s difficult to find time, while trying to fit in everything possible in 24 hours. But if joy can be infused into her learning routine, it’s worth it.

Already a subscriber

Click here to log in and continue reading by entering your registered email address or subscribe now

Join with us in our mission to build the pressure of public opinion to make education the #1 item on the national agenda

toddler-cherry-dress

Creative parenting: A curious child could be a genius

– Nisha Daniel Peh Yong, a Singapore-based six-year old, invented an umbrella that makes one feel cool in hot weather. It uses the process of evaporation to create and circulate cool air. Many such child inventors have invented amazing products born of curiosity and desire to create something new. Encouraging children’s natural curiousity positively can build a lifelong thirst for knowledge, leading to building a spirit of innovation. Here are some ways to make your child’s curiosity constructive: Provide resources like encyclopedia, CDs and books that answer common questions. Spend time to read together to get her hooked. When your child has a question, encourage her to search and find the answer. Guide her about where to look, and let her find out for herself. This might require breaking a seed open, experimenting in the kitchen, or accessing the internet. If your child wants to explore ‘Why not’ questions, ask her to attempt solutions. She may find a brand new one. ‘Why not’ questions have led to many great inventions. Get your child to put new ideas down in an Ideas Book to explore and experiment. Encourage her to innovate a new product, object or piece of art every week. Also read: Encourage, rather than push children to succeed

Already a subscriber

Click here to log in and continue reading by entering your registered email address or subscribe now

Join with us in our mission to build the pressure of public opinion to make education the #1 item on the national agenda

Happy Family Cooking Food In The Kitchen Together

Get your kids involved in chores

Cynthia John Juggling parenting, household work, office work, socialising and multi-tasking can drain your energy. Therefore getting kids involved in household chores to help out is beneficial in several ways Helps children learn skills and responsibility Builds their self-esteem, knowing they are making a meaningful contribution to the family unit Enables quality family time together Makes work easier for all family members. It’s never too early to get children involved in helping out. Even 18-month-olds can learn to put away their toys in their respective boxes. Make it routine Children like knowing what to expect and what to do next. Linking chores to relevant activity can turn chores into habit. For example, get your child to clear up the study table and put her stationery in place right after Homework Time. Children can also straighten their pillows and keep bedsheets in a corner if they are not old enough to fold them. Work together First, sit and plan chores division with all family members. There’s no need to divide chores ‘equally’ Let the child/children choose their own chores. Each one can do some work better than others. If there are chores no one wants, add some fun to them: “The person who clears the table gets an extra serving of dessert.” Finding chores to fit age As long as a child can handle a task alone safely without supervision, it can be allotted. But it’s safer not to ask them to use appliances, unless it’s done under adult supervision. If young children need to be reminded of their chores, they can have an illustrated reminder chart stuck on the door at their height. For example, if a three-year-old needs to put his dirty clothes into the laundry basket, simply draw a laundry basket. Check the list to see if everything has been done. Weekly tasks If there are weekly tasks that need to be done such as dusting or cleaning cupboards and desks, plan a weekly ‘Family Chore Time’ on Saturday evenings or whenever suitable. During those 15-30 minutes, all members of the family do their respective chores. You can play music and crack jokes while you are at it. Making it a fun time for the family will make it special. Chore-sharing can reduce stress and fatigue for every family member, and is ideal for family bonding.

Already a subscriber

Click here to log in and continue reading by entering your registered email address or subscribe now

Join with us in our mission to build the pressure of public opinion to make education the #1 item on the national agenda

Obsessive-compulsive disorder

School gripes and groans

My son often comes home with complaints that someone took his stationery and bullied him. We have complained to the school but they are not able to do much. How can I help him? If the problem is big enough to result in serious injury or make your child fearful, investigate and meet the child’s teacher in person. Discuss why you think the problem is more than common school tiffs and how it can be solved. If it is not too serious, don’t make an issue of it. Lend your child a listening ear, sympathy and attention. But after that, discuss how such problems can be solved, give him ideas to manage the situation and encourage him to handle it himself. However protective you may feel, ultimately your child has to face most school problems himself, and learn how to cope. But always encourage your child to open up and talk. You can judge whether you need to step in. My seven-year-old daughter was bullied once by a senior boy who snatched away her snack. Since then, she avoids situations where she encounters seniors, such as Annual Day programmes and group sports. What do I do? Advise your daughter understand that she needs to conquer her fear. There will always be bullies, but there are ways to tackle them. Teachers can deal with them, and she herself can learn to do and say the right thing when someone is rude. Share situations when you had to deal with bullies and how you overcame them. Discuss different situations that can arise; get her to suggest them. Discuss ways to deal with them and find a solution which will work. You can even do some mock role plays, where you take turns playing the bully, while the other ‘outwits’ the bully. She will soon realise that no problem is insurmountable. My eight-year-old daughter always complains how every teacher has favourites. When she tells me how a teacher has been partial, I am always sympathetic. But I sometimes wonder whether I should encourage this. Whether the ‘partiality’ or ‘favouritism’ is real or imagined, it is a reality in schools. Encourage your daughter to take it in her stride and without fretting. Some teachers do practise favouritism. But explain that she too can become a favourite by being a great student, participating enthusiastically in class and willingly helping students and teachers. You should discourage her from thinking too much about this and dismiss such complaints by advising her how she can be a popular friend and student, and enjoy school. Family Learning Learning together can become a family activity. Plan a visit to the planetarium, aquarium, zoo or library at least twice a month. Before that, choose a related theme such as ‘animal behaviour’ or ‘planets.’ Ask every family member to contribute a page full of interesting information on the theme. This knowledge will make the excursion more meaningful, and the whole family gets to learn interesting new stuff. Also read: Teacher troubles

Already a subscriber

Click here to log in and continue reading by entering your registered email address or subscribe now

Join with us in our mission to build the pressure of public opinion to make education the #1 item on the national agenda

Portrait,Of,Happy,Indian,Asian,Young,Family,While,Sitting,On

Parenting – striking the right balance

Anitha Bennett If you have been attending ‘What kind of parent are you?’ quizzes, you are like most parents who aren’t sure if they are doing right by their children. Parenting can sometimes be such a difficult balancing act that you don’t know whether you are getting it right. Friends or parents? All children want democracy and to be treated as equals. But they also need parental guidance and authority. Striking the balance perfectly is not easy. A child needs to understand that parents can be fun, but at the same time authority figures to look up to. “Parents who make an effort to be their children’s friends become better listeners and become sensitive to their children’s needs,” remarks child counselor Sonali Ghosh. All parents dream of topping their children’s list of friends. They may top the list during the younger years but as a child grows, parents’ popularity dips. To scramble back to the top, some parents over-indulge children, avoid correcting them, beg and plead for cooperation and even reward mistakes. Do you know your child? “You may think that you know your kindergartener well, but what if you caught him playing doctor and examining a girl child? Would you accept this as a phase that every child passes through — one of curiosity that almost everyone experiences — or would you cringe with embarrassment and shame?” asks Dr. Pooja Krishnan. Sometimes, just knowing what to expect of children helps. That’s where parenting books and websites are useful. Knowledge that hundreds of parents have confronted the same issue is reassuring. We don’t realise how many parents go through similar problems until we read about them. Expectations vs. reality A parent with a well-behaved eight-year-old may subconsciously expect the same from her five-year-old without acknowledging the age difference. Our expectations of our children are also based on our own childhood experiences and attitudes. Acknowledging that our children belong to different generations with whole new sets of attitudes will make it easier to accept them and bring out the best in them. Understanding your child Taking time to observe your children’s behaviour and reactions to different situations will help to know them better. Every child needs to be handled differently, and trying to manage siblings similarly seldom works. If one sibling is good with household chores, you don’t have to force the other one to do the same. He/she can be given other more comfortable chores. In attempts to be ‘fair’, parents often end up ignoring age differences and frustrate their children. At the end of the day, giving time and attention to children is the surest way of figuring out how to strike the right balance — and being the best parent you can be. No parent is perfect, but love and caring can cover many mistakes.

Already a subscriber

Click here to log in and continue reading by entering your registered email address or subscribe now

Join with us in our mission to build the pressure of public opinion to make education the #1 item on the national agenda

shutterstock_414640561

Creative parenting: Mom with limitless books

– Nisha Daniel Minu Sarin was a Mom who loved books. And both her kids — Ashutosh (10) and Veena (6) grew to love them too. Minu always found it a challenge to accomodate all the books she bought. And she didn’t have the budget for purchasing a large number. So she started the ‘10-Book Club’. To inaugurate the club, she bought a set of 10 books for her children. She invested in a set of ten books just once. Here’s how she made the 10-Books Club work. She bought a set of 10 books initially. Every member of the 10-Books Club does likewise. When her children are through with reading them, she exchanges the set with another club member the nexth month. So she has 10 new books for her children. The following month, she exchanges these books with another club member. The only effort she puts in is to keep telling other moms about the club, so they can sign up. It’s simple, and it works. Why not give it a try? Also read: Improve your child’s reading skills using phonics

Already a subscriber

Click here to log in and continue reading by entering your registered email address or subscribe now

Join with us in our mission to build the pressure of public opinion to make education the #1 item on the national agenda

Heart to Heart

Heart to Heart

Hello Parents! Parenting 24×7 is a demanding full-time job. While we manage the myriad chores involved in getting through the day, there are several issues like our own health, sleep and marital harmony, which could be relegated to the back burner. Therefore now is a good time to step back from the roles of SuperMom or SuperDad and work towards a better life-parenting balance. Most parents routinely discharge the tasks of parenting. But they often pay inadequate attention to their own health and many parents tend to be sleep-deprived. Remaining healthy and energetic needs to be higher on our priority lists to enable us to become good parents. A review of parental health needs will prove helpful in finding solutions. An easy way to improve parents health is to follow the healthy habits we try to instil in our children’s lives. A glass of milk twice a day, fruits, carrot sticks and nuts, and other healthy things that we offer our children can pep us up as well. Taking time out to spend time together as a couple, or adopting a hobby can also be refreshing for full-time parents. When you take care of yourself, you will become the best person you can be, and the best parent you can be as well.

Already a subscriber

Click here to log in and continue reading by entering your registered email address or subscribe now

Join with us in our mission to build the pressure of public opinion to make education the #1 item on the national agenda

Seven healthy foods for dry skin

Eating right on schooldays

My son is tired by the time he reaches home from school although he eats a good lunch. He gets home at 4 p.m in the school bus. As a result, he is in a bad mood for one-two hours after coming home, and I am sure lack of nutrition is the main reason. How can I get him to eat more? If your son doesn’t eat well at lunch, an additional drink could help. A little bottle with fruit juice, flavoured glucose or flavoured milk could provide additional energy. Or, pack another snack box for eats on the return journey home. You could also keep a drink or snack handy to eat as soon as your child gets home. Remind him to drink water frequently. Dehydration can also cause fatigue and mood swings. Though you may be seeing the effect only after school, don’t ignore breakfast, the most important meal. If breakfast is ignored in the morning rush, setting the alarm 10-20 minutes earlier might help. A full glass of milk, a breakfast rich in carbohydrates and a few nuts and dry fruits will help to maintain energy levels. If your child is fussy in the mornings, resort to quick fix options such as cornflakes or bread and cheese. If your child refuses breakfast, you can offer different options instead of letting him go to school without it. Quick-fix food ideas Peanut-butter date sandwich Store some chopped dates (preferably Arabian) in a box. Any time you want, spread peanut butter on brown bread, add chopped dates to make a sandwich. You have a nutritious meal in two minutes! Serve with a slice of watermelon or apple. Baby potatoes Pressure cook baby potatoes and get a family member to peel them the previous day. In the morning, take them out of the refrigerator for a while. Heat ghee or butter, add the potatoes, chilli powder and salt. Toss for a while (add chopped onions if you like) until the potatoes get a light brown crust, and serve hot for breakfast.

Already a subscriber

Click here to log in and continue reading by entering your registered email address or subscribe now

Join with us in our mission to build the pressure of public opinion to make education the #1 item on the national agenda

Is your child being bullied?

Older students in schools often pick on younger children especially during recess periods. How should a bullied child react? The best advice to give bullied children is to keep away from bullies to the extent possible. This isn’t cowardice, it’s a passive defence mechanism. The more exposed they are, the more vulnerable they become to bulllies. Advise children to stay back in the classroom during the peak bullying season and to hang out with groups of friends. Generally, bullies lose interest after a while. But if you feel that your child is being sought out and bullied in spite of her staying away, then the matter cannot be taken lightly. It has to be immediately reported to school authorities. Usually in such cases, the bully is not a harmless older child picking on a kid, but one with deeper problems who wants to take them out on a helpless younger child. What’s the stage when parents need to take children’s bullying reports seriously? A bullied child will drop hints (usually bullies extract a vow of silence from victims). Or often tell you directly that somebody is picking on them. Ask for all details the first time if they tell you or talk to your child’s friends. Trust your instinct. If your child suddenly seems reluctant about going to school, has unusual night awakenings, sudden mood changes, avoids certain people, loses appetite and is not her usual self, it’s time to take up the issue with school authorities. Never ignore your child in this matter. She needs your support. What should children do when bullied? Children can try different options. One is to ignore the bully’s provocations and become friendly with the bully and win over the enemy. Alternatively advise your child to drop hints that she will complain to teachers/parents. Or she could even give the bully an open confrontational telling off. Depending on the situation, children need to choose the best course of action. Guide your child, using your discretion and experience. Meanwhile find out if there are rules against bullying in school. If so, what are they? Most schools have basic rules — no teasing, passing rude or lewd remarks, etc. Schools can take precautions by appointing teachers/student volunteers to monitor crowded areas like the canteen, playground or toilets during recess hours. If space permits, they can also segregate primary, middle and senior students to avoid unnecessary clashes. Hi-Five Top 5 Ready-to-eat Health Foods 100% Juices: These contain real fruit juice. Just add sugar if needed. Muesli: Makes a great breakfast. Roasted nuts: A healthy and tasty oil-free snack. Fruits: Cut and serve during breakfast, lunch, dinner or in between. Dried fruits: Packed with nutrients, they can be added to snack boxes. Also read: How parents can prevent and deal with bullying

Already a subscriber

Click here to log in and continue reading by entering your registered email address or subscribe now

Join with us in our mission to build the pressure of public opinion to make education the #1 item on the national agenda

Group,Of,Happy,Playful,Indian,Children,Running,Outdoors,In,Spring

Creative parenting: Help your child make friends easily

Your child may be a great chatterbox at home, but may well be hesitant and awkward in a new school, neighbourhood or city. Here are some ways to help your child make new friends with confidence and ease. – Nisha Daniel Throw a party. Hosting a tea party is worth the effort. Ask your child to invite new friends, or children she would like to be friends with, and watch them bond over snacks and games. Encourage her to join small groups. Most children find large groups intimidating. They open up more easily in small group settings like an activities club, sports team or dance class. Invite children home. Some children tend to be shy in group settings but will blossom in a one-on-one relationships. Encourage your child to invite friends over to make time for heart-to-heart chats. Help your child fit in. Observe your child’s classmates and friends. Is she being ignored because she is different in some way, wears outdated clothes or speaks differently? If you notice something amiss, you could help her make small changes in her lifestyle or manners for easier acceptance. Also read: Creative parenting: Get your child to feel like a winner

Already a subscriber

Click here to log in and continue reading by entering your registered email address or subscribe now

Join with us in our mission to build the pressure of public opinion to make education the #1 item on the national agenda

Heart to Heart

Heart to Heart

Hello Parents! Recently I had the pleasure of observing tiny sparrows in our garden learning to fly. They were babies of a set of seven sisters that often visit. Around the time I also saw a woodpecker boring his way into a tree. I would have missed these simple pleasures but for the enthusiasm of my little son who delights in bird watching. Among the different things children do for you, are you aware they help you connect with Nature? In urban concrete jungles, it’s easy to forget about Nature until you vacation in a hill station. But if you have the companionship of a child, it’s hard to remain indifferent to Nature. “What’s that sound?” a child will ask when an unseen bird bursts into song. You will probably have to field dozens of such questions which force you to reflect upon the wonders of Mother Nature. Parents may be more experienced, older and wiser, but there’s a lot that children can help us learn and experience. Tune into your children, and you will enter their world filled with wonder and awe. Children can bring new perspectives, new discoveries and new joys into your life. All parents have to do is to be sensitive towards them.

Already a subscriber

Click here to log in and continue reading by entering your registered email address or subscribe now

Join with us in our mission to build the pressure of public opinion to make education the #1 item on the national agenda

Mother,And,Little,Daughter,Writing,Together

Helping with homework

Anitha Bennett Homework hour can be demanding with one child. And more demanding if you have children. When you have one child, you can focus on homework during homework time and once it gets done, you put away the books and relax, satisfied with a job well done. Enter child number two and homework hour isn’t picture perfect anymore. Your older child may be reciting her multiplication tables to you when the younger one interrupts asking what colour to use for Santa’s hair in her colouring book. Welcome to the world of parenting children! With all the complexities of sibling wars and equal portions, homework hour can become very demanding. Here are five ways of helping children with their homework.Plan ahead. If your children’s grades aren’t good, you can’t take homework lightly. The hour or two you get with your children must be planned well ahead. Write down what each child needs to learn and the approximate amount of time required. There may be subjects for which one sibling may need undivided attention. In such cases, assign a familiar lesson to the other child to work on alone. Prepare yourself by reading ahead to cut teaching time short. Be prepared. All stationery and supplies that go into each day’s homework should be on the children’s study table before lessons begin. Time is wasted and unnecessary arguments crop up between children over pencils, erasers and paint boxes. Also to make the most of study time, keep yourself completely free. You will see your children learn quickly! Alternate. While one child works on a maths problem, you could take up the other child’s alphabets and numbers. Train children to work on their own, without constantly interrupting you with doubts and questions. Set aside a time for clearing doubts. Finishing one child’s homework completely and then helping with the other one’s work will leave you exhausted at the end of the day. Alternating between children is a simpler option. Quiet play. Getting a baby-sitter for your younger child who is not yet in school, is a good idea. When that’s not possible, teach the infant to quietly play alone during the homework hour of the older one. Blocks, puzzles and books are ideal for the younger child. Keep rotating activities since boredom sets in fast in preschoolers. Exclusive hours. There may be times when one child needs a lot of extra help in a particular subject. Or the child may find it highly distracting to work with other children around. Budget exclusive hours for such cases. If this saps your energy during weekdays, set an hour aside during weekends to help the child. Or turn it over to your spouse! You could also consider engaging a professional tutor for subjects which you may not be very good at, especially if one child is older and you are unable to cope.

Already a subscriber

Click here to log in and continue reading by entering your registered email address or subscribe now

Join with us in our mission to build the pressure of public opinion to make education the #1 item on the national agenda

Heart to Heart

Heart to Heart

Hello Parents! Our children are usually more tech-savvy than we are, and are much more knowledgeable about some types of internet activity. This could give us a false sense of security, prompting us to trust them to manage their social networking and other online activities well. But we need to ensure they aren’t subjected to cyber-bullying. Cyberbullying can have devastating consequences for a teen or preteen. Since children tend to keep parents out of their social networking updates, it can be hard to discern what’s wrong. But look out for signs like lack of interest in other activities, anxiety after checking the internet, and a sudden desire to check the internet more frequently. Cyberbullies could be from your child’s own circle of friends. They could post threatening or hate messages like “I’ll tell everyone about what you did on Thursday”, or send posts that depict your child in a negative light. Other posts could include messages linking a child to a person of the opposite sex, or posting embarrassing photographs. Preteens and teens are especially conscious of their social status and can be mortified by offensive posts. By being prepared to deal with such issues, parents can prevent situations which could upset your child and make her unpopular and depressed. Regardless of whether we are tech-smart or not, as parents we need to be prepared to make our children feel safe and protected. Cyber-bullying is as dangerous as physical bullying, and awareness of this new age danger can make all the difference!

Already a subscriber

Click here to log in and continue reading by entering your registered email address or subscribe now

Join with us in our mission to build the pressure of public opinion to make education the #1 item on the national agenda

Heart to Heart

Heart to Heart

Hello Parents! The joy on a toddler’s face as he walks with both parents, holding hands and skipping along never ceases to amaze. Likewise pre-teens brighten up as much when their mothers accompany them on outings. Simple joy on children’s faces is an emotion all parents value. Yet, how often we miss it because we are too stressed out or tired to give attention and time to our children! These days there’s widespread awareness of what a kill-joy stress can be. If you have experienced pangs of guilt over an angry reaction towards your child after a stressful work day, or neglected the colouring book your child wanted you to admire, cheer up. You can change things by consciously attempting to create more stress-free time. Take a day off, wake up early for a peaceful read, and spend your commuting time from office by getting work out of your mind and your kids into it. It’s possible to reduce the burden of work place stress. Do all you can to get rid of it, and watch your family enjoy a whole new you! Life is too short to waste in tension-filled days. Live each day with your loved ones instead.

Already a subscriber

Click here to log in and continue reading by entering your registered email address or subscribe now

Join with us in our mission to build the pressure of public opinion to make education the #1 item on the national agenda

Print

Choosing the right after-school activities

Nisha Daniel After-school programs offer great benefits to working parents, providing them with opportunities to keep children engaged and out of trouble. But how do you choose the most suitable program? There are a huge number of social, academic enrichment, and health programs available, offering art, technology, reading, math, sports, civic involvement, and other learning opportunities. Scheduling and cost must also be taken into consideration. A recent working paper, After School Programs in the 21st Century: Their Potential and What it Takes to Achieve It, published by the Harvard Family Research Project (HFRP), offers some guidance gleaned from over ten years of research. The paper found three primary factors most likely to contribute to positive outcomes. First, children should have easy access to programs and be able to participate in them on a sustained basis. Children benefit most from programs that align with a child’s interests, schedule, and needs. Second, programs should have appropriate supervision and structure, well-prepared staff, and clear stated and executed goals. Third, they should enable partnerships with families, other community organizations, and schools. Here is a checklist to help you evaluate an after-school program. 1. Does your child need an after-school activity? There is growing concern among some parents and educators that children are being overscheduled, and that the cumulative demands placed on children are too high. Before signing up for another activity, also give thought to whether your child has time to play and just ‘have fun’, and whether you get to have some fun with her. 2. How does your child benefit from the program? Make a distinction between an after-school program that aims for several positive outcomes versus one that amounts to glorified babysitting. For academic achievement programs, studies show that the most effective programs combine academic improvement with other enrichment activities which in turn support academic performance. 3. Will your child be able to participate in the program on a regular, sustained basis? Active, ongoing participation is a key success factor. Students who participated in multi-year programs show the greatest improvement. 4. Can you make the necessary time and financial commitments to ensure activity continuity over an extended period? Is your child interested in the chosen activity? This is an obvious, but sometimes neglected factor. Make sure your child expresses enthusiasm about a given activity and agrees to participate for a reasonable amount of time. Apprehensive children who believe their parents are too busy are less willing to engage in new activities. 5. Can the program keep your child engaged over time? A good after-school program should have no trouble answering this question. What are the goals of the program? Does the program offer adequate supervision and structured programming? The best results come from programs in which staff are engaged in focused, supervised activities with children. Children are more likely to thrive if they form strong bonds with a program’s staff. 6. Is there an opportunity for you and the rest of the family to get involved? Parental involvement can enhance positive…

Already a subscriber

Click here to log in and continue reading by entering your registered email address or subscribe now

Join with us in our mission to build the pressure of public opinion to make education the #1 item on the national agenda

shutterstock_437114182

Creative parenting: Get your child to feel like a winner

School toppers, achievers and record-breakers are hailed as winners. But what about children who are not in the Top 10, or have not made a mark in any field? Are they losers? Certainly not. Every parent knows how talented and special her child is. Here are some ways to make your child feel like a winner. – Nisha Daniel A Birthday Art Show Does your child love art? Craft? Writing? Photography? Encourage her creative pursuit, and work together to prepare an exhibition of her work at her birthday party. Take the opportunity to encourage her to improve her skill and produce better work. Help her to evaluate and select the best efforts and frame them or create a suitable display. Her birthday party could be a great occasion to celebrate her talent. The Winning Moments Diary Every time you feel proud of something your child has done, write it down. It could be the moment your child gave away her burger to a poor child on the street; or the day she controlled her anger when someone else was provocative. If something made you feel proud of your child, write it down. Get a scrapbook, and let your child help you embellish it. Label it ‘Winning Moments of X’. Write or print out your record of every winning moment and paste it with photos or stickers in the scrapbook. She’ll love to read each entry.

Already a subscriber

Click here to log in and continue reading by entering your registered email address or subscribe now

Join with us in our mission to build the pressure of public opinion to make education the #1 item on the national agenda

crying child

Getting a shy child to talk

Cynthia John Ever been embarrassed by your child hiding behind your legs when a visitor greets her? While some children are shy and reserved by nature, and may remain so throughout life, most children experience short phases of shyness which will soon pass. Your attitude can make the difference between permitting low self-esteem and building confidence. Don’t add to children’s discomfort Some children are shy in the presence of strangers, certain acquaintances and big groups. If you keep prodding your child to talk or converse, she may retreat into a shell. Highlighting her reticence by telling others, “She’s shy,” will most likely add to her embarrassment. The best thing is to behave like nothing is wrong. As the conversation progresses, gradually involve her or talk about subjects with which she is comfortable. Let her participate when she is ready. Discuss it in private Discussing her shyness with others is one of the worst things you can do. Adults are often insensitive to the presence of children and freely make comments like, “I wonder when she will get over this silliness.” Such comments about her attitude could erode your child’s confidence and make her feel belittled. Instead, talk to her privately at a time when she is feeling secure with you. Gently acknowledge her feelings without making her feel inadequate. You could say something like, “Did you feel like you didn’t want to talk to Minu Aunty? She was asking me about your school’s craft classes and wanted to know how you made that key hanger. Shall we show her the book rack you made when she visits again?” Over time, as your child gathers the confidence to face different people and situations, her diffidence will melt away. Change your attitude If you feel embarassed or ashamed of your child, she can sense it. Just accept her attitude as a normal process of growth and take it in your stride. She needs to know you are proud of her. Budget decor: children’s rooms You can have some fun with your kids decorating their bedrooms. Set apart a holiday to do the work, and you can join together to create some amazing decor. Choose a theme like ‘jungle’ or ‘trains. Buy some plain coloured curtains, bedsheets and tablecloths. Make some stencils using cardboard, or stampers using potatoes, based on your theme. Use bold or pastel acrylic/fabric colours to make prints on the curtains and bed sheets. Use a pencil to draw outlines from the stencils, then paint in the designs. Make scenery on large sheets of chart paper and fix them on one wall. There! Your themed decor is all set to delight your children and their friends!

Already a subscriber

Click here to log in and continue reading by entering your registered email address or subscribe now

Join with us in our mission to build the pressure of public opinion to make education the #1 item on the national agenda

Heart to Heart

Heart to Heart

Hello Parents! Our children are usually more tech-savvy than we are, and are much more knowledgeable about some types of internet activity. This could give us a false sense of security, prompting us to trust them to manage their social networking and other online activities well. But we need to ensure they aren’t subjected to cyber-bullying. Cyberbullying can have devastating consequences for a teen or preteen. Since children tend to keep parents out of their social networking updates, it can be hard to discern what’s wrong. But look out for signs like lack of interest in other activities, anxiety after checking the internet, and a sudden desire to check the internet more frequently. Cyberbullies could be from your child’s own circle of friends. They could post threatening or hate messages like “I’ll tell everyone about what you did on Thursday”, or send posts that depict your child in a negative light. Other posts could include messages linking a child to a person of the opposite sex, or posting embarrassing photographs. Preteens and teens are especially conscious of their social status and can be mortified by offensive posts. By being prepared to deal with such issues, parents can prevent situations which could upset your child and make her unpopular and depressed. Regardless of whether we are tech-smart or not, as parents we need to be prepared to make our children feel safe and protected. Cyber-bullying is as dangerous as physical bullying, and awareness of this new age danger can make all the difference!

Already a subscriber

Click here to log in and continue reading by entering your registered email address or subscribe now

Join with us in our mission to build the pressure of public opinion to make education the #1 item on the national agenda

cyber-bullying

Creative parenting: Protect your child from cyberbullying

While you can keep lines of communication open, it helps to prepare your child to handle cyber-bullying by herself. Here are a few solutions you could ask your child to follow if she encounters cyberbullies. 1. Block unwanted posts. Removing a cyberbully from your contact list and blocking posts and messages from them is the first initiative to be taken. Email providers and networking sites allow you to report abuse, especially in case of an unknown cyberbully. Show your child how to block posts and friends, if the situation warrants. 2. Save some evidence. Retain copies of offensive posts or messages, so that they can be used as evidence if necessary. But avoid passing around offensive messages by forwarding them to others. However stay out of children’s online battles to the extent possible 3. Get help. Cyberbullying is a problem where adult intervention is needed. Confide in a parent, teacher, counsellor or trusted adult. The problem could take a serious turn, so bear in mind that getting help from an adult is really essential. Also read: Teaching children about internet safety and cyberbullying

Already a subscriber

Click here to log in and continue reading by entering your registered email address or subscribe now

Join with us in our mission to build the pressure of public opinion to make education the #1 item on the national agenda

Word search puzzle

Already a subscriber

Click here to log in and continue reading by entering your registered email address or subscribe now

Join with us in our mission to build the pressure of public opinion to make education the #1 item on the national agenda

img2 copy

Kickstart active learning

Nisha Daniel chools and parents are steadily introducing new and more activities to encourage digital and interactive learning. Here are some ways to enrich your child’s education. Theme-based sleepovers Organise monthly sleepovers or parties that focus on a theme like ‘Mars’ or ‘marsupials.’ Every invitee must bring some interesting inputs in the form of a PowerPoint presentation, chart, pictures, videos, or anything else that will offer new information to others. For younger children, the themes could be more general, like ‘Space’ or ‘Animals.’ For older ones, you could be more specific, since they have more advanced information-gathering experience and resources at their disposal. If you are organising a sleepover, you could pick a good movie related to the theme, or find some experiments they can do together. Neighbourhood clubs Children can identify dull educational activities and run away from them. So it’s important to create the right ambience that doesn’t give an impression of boring activities. Add excitement to learning by encouraging group activities. Get your child and friends to start a science, environment, language, music, dance, arts, games or sports club, where they can plan their own activities. You can contribute by donating educational kits or skill building books. Kits available in the market include robotic, electromagnetic, gardening, and chemistry among others. You can also donate books and CDs on nature, science experiments, fun with language and craft projects to the club. These can be given to the club library, to be shared and circulated. Tap your network of friends for those who can share their expertise. If your kids have started a chess club, they will enjoy coaching sessions by a chess whiz. Competitions Kids don’t always get an opportunity to participate in inter-school competitions. Give them a chance to take part in assorted competitions in more informal settings to boost their confidence. You can do this by organising your own events. Pick competitive games like scrabble, spelling bee, debates and other literary activities. Or organise quizzes on child-friendly themes. Choose interesting topics and jazz up the event with music, snacks, contests, prizes and games.

Already a subscriber

Click here to log in and continue reading by entering your registered email address or subscribe now

Join with us in our mission to build the pressure of public opinion to make education the #1 item on the national agenda

shutterstock_191825945 copy

“My son needs to get moving.”

Between school, television and homework, my six-year-old just doesn’t get enough outdoor activity. I’m working and there’s no one to pick and drop him to sports coaching classes. He spends free time on the internet. How do I ensure he gets enough physical activity? — D.K., Mumbai Browse the net and youtube for videos which invite kids to dance and/or exercise together. There are action songs which encourage children to participate. Child exercise videos can also help children to exercise together. Look out for interesting ones to get your child started. Buy a hula hoop, skipping rope and indoor equipment. Make the time to teach your child games and activities with these aids — the internet can help you find many. If sports coaching on weekdays won’t work, you could look out for weekend sports or dance classes. Once your child gets hooked, he can practice at home on weekdays with a little motivation. Set clear limits for TV/internet time, and ensure that your child respects them. Try to find family friends who can take him to the park once a week together with their kids, while you return the favour on weekends or whenever you find time. Are you curbing your child’s instincts? We might unconsciously be suppressing the natural urge of children to be active. Allow climbing, swinging and jumping, while supervising for safety and making it clear that some activities must not go unsupervised. Don’t say “Stop jumping. You’ll fall.” Or “Don’t run. Walk slowly.” Kids have to learn alertness and balance through trial and error. Jumping is great for exercise and balance. When space permits, let kids express their energy by running. It builds stamina. “Watch out. You might get hurt” is not good advice. Kids naturally try gym-style rolls and movements. Remember, they are naturally flexible and won’t sprain a limb as easily as an adult. They can instinctively figure out what they can do, and need to learn to take calculated risks. Also read: Adolescents need to be more physically active, says WHO

Already a subscriber

Click here to log in and continue reading by entering your registered email address or subscribe now

Join with us in our mission to build the pressure of public opinion to make education the #1 item on the national agenda

When your child lies

Nisha Daniel I did not do it!” “You did!” “I didn’t! “You’re lying!” Parents often feel cheated and betrayed when told blatant lies. But angry words won’t fix the problem. Such behaviour needs to be tackled at a deeper level. Pre-schoolers who lie For pre-school children, the line between imagination and reality can sometimes be thin. When asked what they ate in class, your child might make up stories about the giant chocolate in her friend’s tiffin box, because she forgot what she ate, or has an active imagination. If your child imagines herself doing something heroic, or talks about imaginary friends or activities, listen with amusement. Don’t label it a lie. It’s normal for children below five to blur the distinction between reality and make-believe. But if your child obstinately refuses to admit to eating unhygienic, forbidden snacks, you need to be stern. For pre-schoolers, lying is simply a way to escape trouble; they are too young to think about moral implications. Counsel them that telling lies is wrong by explaining how lying can make a person untrustworthy. “If I told you I have a real rainbow cake at home, and you come home to find that I lied, you won’t feel like trusting me the next time, will you?” is an example. Little children need to understand why lying is not acceptable. Help them get over the fear of telling the truth. “If you admit your mistake, I might scold you, but I will be happy inside because I will know that you are telling me the truth,” is a good line to take. If your child admits to lying and apologises, make sure you are appreciative of her honesty and help her mend her ways. When an older child lies It’s easy to feel let down. But remember that children lie to avoid reprimand and/or punishment. Therefore it’s tempting to brush the issue under the carpet by telling her not to lie again. But that’s the easy option. While confrontations are unpleasant, if you want your child to absorb the right values for the long term, you need to take more pains. First, cool down and think calmly about it, so that you don’t make things worse by accusing your child of bare-faced lying which might make her rebellious. Acknowledge that she may have a deeper problem that she is attempting to resolve. Discuss better solutions. “If you really had to go to your friend’s house, you should have asked me again. I might have suggested going on Saturday,” you could say while explaining your prohibition in the first instance. Offer a way out “The next time you feel tempted to tell a lie, remind yoursell that only brave children tell the truth, and have the courage to face the consequences,” is how you should explain. Parents need to teach children to tell the truth because there’s a real danger of your child becoming a habitual liar.

Already a subscriber

Click here to log in and continue reading by entering your registered email address or subscribe now

Join with us in our mission to build the pressure of public opinion to make education the #1 item on the national agenda

Creative parenting: Add power to your breakfast

While struggling to meet school bus timings, packing lunchboxes, and getting children ready for school, it’s not easy to make breakfast the most important meal of the day. Try these options to add power to your family’s breakfast with minimal extra effort. Stock up dry grains Rice flakes, cornflakes and muesli don’t need cooking. If children don’t want them with milk, they can eat them with water. They provide healthy fibre and energy for the morning. Keep small boxes of muesli or cornflakes ready. So if the children are in danger of missing breakfast because the school bus is honking away, you can pop one of them into their school bags for them to eat on the way. Add protein power Nuts are easy to store because they have a longer shelf life. Keep a cache of almonds, cashews and groundnuts ready. In addition to the carbs they get at breakfast, the protein in nuts helps children be active. Dry fruits also add fibre and minerals to their breakfast. Stock up fruits Keep a fruit basket ready to add to breakfast for the day’s supply of vitamins. Also read: Five superfoods to give your child every day

Already a subscriber

Click here to log in and continue reading by entering your registered email address or subscribe now

Join with us in our mission to build the pressure of public opinion to make education the #1 item on the national agenda

football

“I want my son to be a professional.”

My son has no interest in science and maths, though I’d love to see him become a professional engineer or a scientist. He likes to draw and sketch and is mad about music. How do I convince him that drawing and music can only be leisure pursuits? — F.R, Delhi It’s perfectly normal for some children to be averse to STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) subjects. You need to take a look at today’s media headlines. Professionals exist in a multiplying number of fields, from education to music. Your child can achieve great things without science and maths, though he needs to give these compulsory subjects his best shot. Explore alternative career paths with your son, to discover what suits his aptitude and interest. Today professionals excel in all types of vocations, from astrophysics to pet care. Becoming a successful professional in any vocation is about passion, commitment, and interest in a chosen specialisation. It’s entirely possible your son could become a celebrated music composer, or music teacher. Or he might evolve into a great graphic designer or animation expert. Parents need to encourage all hobbies and passions of their children, as well as favourite subjects in school. Children need help to realise their potential. You would be a great enabling parent if you can help your son identify appropriate study programmes and career paths which suit his personality and interests. Is your child creative or crazy? What if the globally celebrated musician-composer A.R. Rahman had been pushed into becoming a mediocre engineer? The lives of millions of talented children are blighted by parents with common academic expectations. Here are some suggestions to ensure that you don’t crush your child’s dreams and talents. 1. Don’t proscribe hobby-related activities like dance classes, music programmes and sport during standards X and XII. By all means, reduce the time spent on extra-curricular activities during exams, but don’t forbid them altogether. 2. Shed the belief that academic study and exams are more important than anything else. 3. Encourage children to devote time, effort and dedication into anything they are passionate about. Make sure your child learns as much about her preferred field as possible, and also develops skills in her chosen co-curricular or extra-circular activities.

Already a subscriber

Click here to log in and continue reading by entering your registered email address or subscribe now

Join with us in our mission to build the pressure of public opinion to make education the #1 item on the national agenda

Four dangerous snacks

Sunil Noronha It’s hard for children to avoid junk food altogether unless they live in remote outbacks. Even as mothers struggle to serve healthy nutritious meals, there are some innocent-looking snacks which can be dangerous to their health and well- being if consumed in excess. These are the easiest snacks to serve. Available in a wide variety and enticingly advertised, they are regularly stocked in most middle class homes. Consumed in excess, they can be dangerous because they contain empty calories from refined wheat flour (maida) that’s used to make them, and seldom contain the nutrients and fibre available in whole wheat. They also tend to contain high levels of sugar and salt, and most brands use unhealthy hydrogenated fats (transfats). Eating one or two biscuits occasionally is acceptable, but when children down whole packets of cream biscuits, it could lead to obesity, high blood pressure, and metabolism problems. Carbonated drinks Carbonated drinks are at the top of every list of dangerous snacks. It’s common knowledge that they contain unhealthy amounts of sugar, as also contain phospohoric acid and fructose corn syrup. All these ingredients can lead to liver damage, diabetes, and calcium depletion in bones (and therefore osteoporosis). Other substances such as caffeine and aspartame (in sugar-free versions) can cause jitters, brain damage and cancer. Sugar-free products Opting for sugar-free snacks is the latest fad. But all sugar-free snacks don’t guarantee freedom from adverse effects. Non-natural sugar-free (especially acidic) products can damage the teeth. Aspartame, a commonly used sweetener, can adversely affect the brain, and lead to nausea and seizures. It is commonly found in sugar-free bubble gum, colas and sugar-free biscuits. Fried potato products Large calories intake apart, the fat and sodium content of potato chips and French fries are monumental. Eating chips regularly can send a child’s sodium levels soaring leading to hypertension, obesity, diabetes and peripheral artery diseases later in life. The process of frying, especially when oils are reused, generates carcinogenic substances, which can cause cancer. Packaged chips also contain a variety of unhealthy chemicals in the form of flavouring substances and preservatives. If children insist on French fries, make them at home. Also read: How to wean children off junk food

Already a subscriber

Click here to log in and continue reading by entering your registered email address or subscribe now

Join with us in our mission to build the pressure of public opinion to make education the #1 item on the national agenda

Heart to Heart

Heart to Heart

Hello Parents! An HR (human resource development) vice president quit his company job at 45 to start a new career in teaching. A 28-year-old electrical engineer decided to call it quits and go back to college when he realised he should have qualified as a media professional instead. To go with the flow, hundreds and thousands of students sign up for engineering and business management education, only many years later to discover that they might have enjoyed another career path much more. While parents and students spend a lot of time, thought and money on courses and career selection, it’s easy to be taken in by other opinions about “lucrative” and “happening” career options. Instead, concentrate on your child’s interests and priorities while choosing study programmes and career paths. If you ignore the argument that the best-paying is the best job, you will greatly help your child to focus on her interests and life goals. Your child could have a leaning towards social service, which may not be a “lucrative” career. But it could give her job and emotional satisfaction, which could be supplemented with freelance work to augment income, if necessary. Or your child could excel as a fulltime sportsperson or artist, both of which have become new career options these days. Admittedly, it’s not easy for parents to accept unconventional career choices. But what if they suit your child best? Remember, sometimes the path less travelled could be the right one. Don’t close your mind to such paths.

Already a subscriber

Click here to log in and continue reading by entering your registered email address or subscribe now

Join with us in our mission to build the pressure of public opinion to make education the #1 item on the national agenda

parent

What type of parent are you?

Authoritarian parents insist on children following hard and fast rules based on the ‘because I say so’, philosophy. Permissive parents give their children great latitude to choose what they want to do and tend to fudge discipline issues. Progressive parents balance the need for rules and regulation with encouraging freedom combined with responsibility, Take this quiz to determine which type of parent you are: 1. You have just become aware that your child has been watching television for more than three hours daily and want to reduce TV time to an hour a day. a. You declare that the new rule is one hour of TV per day with immediate effect. b. You believe it’s too difficult to turn back the clock and decide not to introduce new rules. c. You discuss the health and academic downsides of watching too much TV and explain the need to cut down TV time. 2. Your child insists on junk food at a mall after eating a lot of fried food during the past two days. a. You refuse outright, and drag a crying or sulky child outside. b. You give in and let her have it. c. You offer to buy healthier alternative snacks or fruits instead. 3. Your child went shopping without your permission though you had forbidden it. a. You scold her, remind her of the dangers of her act and withdraw privileges for a day. b. You ignore the issue. She is back home safely after all. c. You give her a yelling, cut off all outings, visits and hobby classes for the next three weeks 4. Your child’s teacher complains that she responds rudely to teachers. a. You tell her to give no cause for complaint and leave it at that. b. You sit down for a heart-to-heart talk with your child about what happened and insist on proper behaviour, spelling out the consequences if misbehaviour is repeated. c. You give your child a harsh punishment and insist that the rudeness won’t be tolerated. Scoring. Give yourselves ten marks for each of these answers: 1. c, 2. c, 3. a, 4. b If you’ve got 30-40, you can consider yourself a progressive parent. If not, try to examine your parenting style and consider making appropriate changes. Progressive parents are assertive in expressing their opinions and rules, yet are democratic in discussing and accepting children’s viewpoints. They are consistent about discipline and try to correct behaviour, rather than impose punitive measures. Also read: Over-parenting dangers

Already a subscriber

Click here to log in and continue reading by entering your registered email address or subscribe now

Join with us in our mission to build the pressure of public opinion to make education the #1 item on the national agenda

child

“I have a gifted child…”

I seriously believe I have a very gifted eight-year-old child. She’s amazing at painting, craft and clay modelling. I feel her school’s art education and the hobby classes she attends are not helping her develop her potential to the fullest — R.K, Pune It’s wonderful to be able to spot a gifted child early. Helping her reach great heights can be a long, rewarding process for a parent. Look for different learning options. Visit supplemen- tary education providers to find the best fit in terms of a teacher and class. Explore the option of having her train under a mentor one-on-one. Allow her to give priority to art, without neglecting her studies. Help her create time in her schedule for art every day. Teach her to use online tutorials and websites to learn about a variety of arts, so she can try her hand at many before specialising in a few. Provide opportunities to showcase her work. This can be very motivational. Send her work to school magazines, websites and children’s magazines which publish children’s art. Encourage her to enter competitions, participate in workshops and visit art galleries. Help her create an art blog or page on social media. Hobby-related career options Most parents are quick to advise their child to cut down time spent on hobbies if it interferes with formal studies. Parents are pleased when their child excels in a hobby but are uncomfortable about accepting a pastime as a vocation. However, co-curricular interests can turn into viable and lucrative careers. And if it’s a hobby your child is really passionate about, both you and your child should explore related career options. At the same time, we never know which subjects children are likely to excel in or which career path they may choose to follow as they mature. Help your child understand that a hobby can develop into a career, but it is also possible to find a career path without sacrificing the hobby. Giving their best to studies is important for pursuing ‘right’ academic knowledge paths whether it is hobby-related or not. Also read: The gifted teachers option

Already a subscriber

Click here to log in and continue reading by entering your registered email address or subscribe now

Join with us in our mission to build the pressure of public opinion to make education the #1 item on the national agenda

India

Patriotism begins at home

How often we wonder if the young generation truly understand the struggles of people in pre-independence India! Here’s an activity to help your children understand how one man with a fistful of salt changed the course of history. In 1930, Mahatma Gandhi decided to give the British a taste of his unique brand of satyagraha. And now, with this hands-on project, you can talk to your children about an event that played a big part in wresting India’s independence from the British Raj. Historical backdrop On December 31, 1929, just as the New Year was being welcomed, the Indian National Congress planted the tricolour Indian flag firmly on the banks of the River Ravi at Lahore. What followed was a chain of events that led to Mahatma Gandhi publicly opposing a tax on salt levied by the British government of India. Though the Congress was baffled that Gandhi would choose to shake things up by opposing something as minor as the salt tax, the Mahatma had an idea. The British discouraged Indians from collecting or selling salt, forcing them to import it. Gandhi knew that the salt tax, levied under the Salt Act of 1882, was hard on nearly everyone in India, especially poorest Indians. Gandhi also discerned that this was a cause that would unite Hindus and Muslims. So, on March 12, 1930, together with 78 satyagrahis, he set out on foot from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi, Gujarat, and on April 5, Gandhi and thousands of his followers arrived on the seashore. The Mahatma immediately proceeded to break the salt law by filtering it from seawater and encouraging his followers to do the same. Soon it was being done all over India, and it was the beginning of several events that led to India’s freedom. Find out more about it and plan a trip to the seaside to replicate the experience. Making salt What you need A large, deep pan Cheesecloth or muslin 3 litres of sea water A shallow tray Wooden spoon Slowly and carefully strain sea water through the cheesecloth or muslin. This gets rid of dirt and debris. Repeat the process at least twice or more times. Place the pan on a stove and pour the filtered water into it. Bring to boil. Let the water boil slowly and evaporate. Stir regularly. Soon you will have a thick salt sludge. Spread the sludge on the tray and leave it out under the sun. Natural sea water has 3 percent salt, and as the sludge dries in the sun, the salt will dry to the touch. The salt can now be stored in an airtight container, and used for cooking. Unlike store purchased salt, homemade salt is coarser. If you want finer salt, simply grind your homemade salt in a spice grinder. Also read: ‘Wrong portrayal of freedom fighters in textbooks should be corrected’

Already a subscriber

Click here to log in and continue reading by entering your registered email address or subscribe now

Join with us in our mission to build the pressure of public opinion to make education the #1 item on the national agenda

green

Creative parenting green activities to try together

Want to be a green household? Take time out from your daily routine and try these activities to bond as a family unit and create evergreen memories. Go for a walk in the garden or in your neighbourhood to find a tree you like. Let your child name the tree as you would name a pet, and adopt this tree. Observe it every day. Find out if it needs water and/ or fertiliser. Study the birds and squirrels housed in the tree. Discover their scientific names and gather other info. You’ll grow to love it. Choose some indoor plants for your child. Plants give out oxygen and are good for brain development. They also teach children nurturance, care and responsibility. With a magnifying glass, go to a garden and find insects and discuss their physical and other characteristics. Insects have unique, fascinating lifestyles that you can discover by reading about them on the internet. Go on a leaf hunt to discover the various shapes and colours of leaves. Encourage children to draw them in their scrapbooks. Help children collect pebbles and paint animal shapes on them. Make a collection of pebble animals. Also read: Five plants to purify indoor air

Already a subscriber

Click here to log in and continue reading by entering your registered email address or subscribe now

Join with us in our mission to build the pressure of public opinion to make education the #1 item on the national agenda

A,Kids,Thinking,,Smiling,And,Giving,Facial,Expressions,While,Studying

Kids who dare to dream

As children survey the world around them, they naturally want to emulate people they admire — teachers, sports stars, actors, astronomers. They become interested in computers, spaceships, fire engines, and often want to make them. These inspirations don’t always come from their school syllabus and curriculums, but arise out of sheer amazement that such things are possible. Children should be encouraged to cultivate interests and hobbies beyond textbooks. They need to mingle with all types of people. They should not be fettered by preconceptions that the best occupations are those that bring in good money, stability, and social prestige. Once they dream freely, they will be motivated to pursue their dreams, whether it involves doing their best in history, or opting for vocational programmes.

Already a subscriber

Click here to log in and continue reading by entering your registered email address or subscribe now

Join with us in our mission to build the pressure of public opinion to make education the #1 item on the national agenda

Heart to Heart

Heart to Heart

Hello Parents! For parents, the possibility of a school massacre, a bomb blast in the city and sexual abuse in schools is a nightmarish prospect. What we don’t often dwell upon is how insecure such incidents make our children. With television and newspapers headlining horrific incidents, their hyperactive imaginations can go into overdrive. The safety and security a child should experience in familiar places like the home, apartment complex, road or school can no longer be taken for granted. Young children whose imaginations can conjure monsters in the dark may now eye a new sports coach in the school with suspicion, wondering if he could be a dangerous person. A child can no longer freely adore every teacher, when child safety classes warn her to be careful with any man, even a known individual. The strange effort to balance warnings against the unknown with feelings of security is not easy. Teaching child safety and expecting a child to feel safe don’t always go together. In the new uncertain world, when streets and schools could transform into danger zones, parents need to be supportive and reassuring. Spend time with children to explain the initiatives you’ve taken to ensure their safety and security. In the midst of lurking dangers, calmly advising children about what to do in emergency situations is necessary to prepare them for all shocks and eventualities. Of course safety education is necessary and imperative. But at the same time it’s important to help our children feel safe and secure.

Already a subscriber

Click here to log in and continue reading by entering your registered email address or subscribe now

Join with us in our mission to build the pressure of public opinion to make education the #1 item on the national agenda

Little,Child,Girl,In,An,Astronaut,Costume,Is,Playing,And

Nurturing Talent

Skill-building classes and courses aren’t the only way to develop a child’s talents. Children need to be inspired and motivated, to keep their passions and interests alive. They often get bored with hobby classes and lose interest after a while. The best way to ignote children’s passion is by way of exposing them to great ideas, creative work, amazing examples of art and science, and the lives of geniuses through biographies and videos. Talking to people from different walks of life also helps. With wide exposure, they are certain to bloom and blossom.

Already a subscriber

Click here to log in and continue reading by entering your registered email address or subscribe now

Join with us in our mission to build the pressure of public opinion to make education the #1 item on the national agenda

Heart to Heart

Heart to Heart

Dear Parent It’s not unusual these days to meet youngsters unwilling to conform with formal schooling systems. A growing number of smart and savvy students are disillusioned with the annual scramble for marks and grades, and rebel against the system in different ways. Recently I met a class X student who refused to write his exams, though he was a good student. His parents had been strict, and demanding, which was partly the reason for his rebellion. Later he continued his education through the open schooling system, and signed up for a vocational course. Another rebel student completed her engineering diploma, then switched streams to work as a copywriter in two advertising agencies. Tech-savvy children are beginning to think more about the way the world works, and aren’t always as tolerant as the previous generation. Child rebellion prompts parents to introspect where they may have gone wrong. They probably did their best to ensure that their children studied hard and qualified for admission into ‘suitable’ institutions. Maybe it wasn’t their parenting efforts that failed, but their parenting style. Maybe it wasn’t a failure of guidance but that the rebellious child was cut from a different cloth. Parents should interpret such behaviour as not the end of education, but a new beginning. It’s time parents learnt to accept the idea of free joyful learning, unblemished by a mad scramble for marks, rank and prestige. We need to accept open schooling, home schooling, vocational training and apprenticeship. If a child becomes aware that she has the aptitude for a totally unconventional vocation, why not investigate that option? Surely 20 years later, you don’t want your child to regret having become an engineer instead of an artist. Also read: Heart to Heart

Already a subscriber

Click here to log in and continue reading by entering your registered email address or subscribe now

Join with us in our mission to build the pressure of public opinion to make education the #1 item on the national agenda

mother daughter reading

Redefining ‘learning’

Sunil Noronha “You learn something new everyday.” This oft-used phrase indicates that learning is a 24 x 7 process. We never stop learning which started in the womb. It’s happening right now, as you read this article! The key to learning something new every day is to redefine what we mean by learning. Everything we see, every new experience, each new book, every movie we watch — they are all learning experiences. Learning involves anything we didn’t know before, or something we understand better. There are many things you can do to enhance the learning process of your child. Here are a few ideas. Take the weight off. When a child is reading a book, it shouldn’t be done to memorise and internalise. That becomes a mental weight she has to bear while she learns. When she consciously reads to learn, she doesn’t read calmly, peacefully and unhurriedly. She does it just so that she can get done with it. Children should read without worrying about whether or not they will be able to remember what they read. Our minds naturally pick up information from the environment — in this case, from the book being read. Let the mind work. The human mind works best if we don’t hinder its natural process. To do this, allow your child to read in a relaxed manner. After she’s done, let her repeat it to you/herself in the way she best remembers it. This way, she associates a story with the characters, concepts or information. This way, she won’t merely ‘mug’ it, but will use cues within the story to remember and understand it better. Memories are created when synaptic connections of the brain are stimulated or existing ones are strengthened. As a child attempts to recall a story, each time her synapses get stronger. More re-reads of book under stress-free conditions, followed by this process, will help her remember and understand better. Of course, this is not the ideal process for the night before the exam, but a new learning process that can be gradually transformed into the norm. Let her indulge and enjoy learning. By keeping the learning process light, and working with the mind’s natural process of learning, your child can enjoy what she learns. She will discover the joy of learning and pursue it on her own — and not just limit it to class text-books. Her basic approach to knowledge and learning will change. Developing the right attitude towards learning in early childhood can introduce the joy of knowledge acquisition and push children in the right direction. True, learning this way may not bring the highest marks, but it will help the child enjoy the process of learning life-long. Reading, research and intellectual-exploration is the outcome of learning becoming a pleasurable experience. So let the learning adventure begin! Also read: Enhancing learning for visual learners: Exploring the best study techniques

Already a subscriber

Click here to log in and continue reading by entering your registered email address or subscribe now

Join with us in our mission to build the pressure of public opinion to make education the #1 item on the national agenda

mother daughter

Realising a child’s potential

My 12-year-old daughter has great academic potential, and I want to do my best to help her realise it. I just don’t know how to ensure she doesn’t lose the best opportunities available. What should I get her involved in? You shouldn’t hurry to enrol her in too many courses or get her involved in multiple activities. Instead, let her indulge in whatever interestes her. She should discover her own interests and pursue them. Over time, when she recognises what she’s really passionate about, she can move further in that direction. It’s tempting to try to make your child as multi-talented as she can possibly be, but she may become confused about what really interests her. As she grows, she will focus on subjects she’s good at, and enjoy studying. Apart from co-curricular classes and activities, you can give her opportunities to explore her potential by allowing her to choose and use do-it-your-self books and kits, browse online and offline libraries, meet interesting people and visit different places. The point is to let her discover her interests in the world around her. In the end, given enough space, encouragement and resources, she will surpass your expectations. Also read: Magic words to help children achieve their full potential

Already a subscriber

Click here to log in and continue reading by entering your registered email address or subscribe now

Join with us in our mission to build the pressure of public opinion to make education the #1 item on the national agenda

WordPress Lightbox Plugin