ParentsWorld April 2019 Archives

Creative summer options for active children

To provide millennial parents options beyond signing up their progeny for normative summer activities, ParentsWorld presents some enjoyable, creative, off-the-beaten track indoor and outdoor activities for children in the summer holidays – K. P. Mailini, Mini. P & Cynthia John The eight-week summer holidays, which begin this month in India for most schools, evoke contrasting emotions in parents and children. While children are ecstatic about the break from stressful school routines, parents especially in nuclear households, tend to worry about keeping children busy and out of harm’s way during the long vacation period. Though in post-liberalisation India, a host of professionally organised summer camps and activities are available, these camps are mostly of 10-15 days’ duration and pose the omnipresent danger of life-threatening injury to boisterous young children. Moreover, there is rising disenchantment with hurtling children from one summer class to another to learn languages, music, theatre and similar hitherto trendy extra-curricular activities. Latter day literature on child development extols the virtues of boredom (see box p.12) and recommends participation in community improvement rather than self-improvement, activities for children. Therefore, to provide millennial parents options beyond signing up their progeny for normative summer activities, ParentsWorld presents some enjoyable, creative, off-the-beaten track indoor and outdoor activities for children in the summer holidays. Paddle boarding This newly emergent surface water sport is becoming popular among urbanites the world over. It involves an oversized surfboard or paddleboard which a rider propels in a sea, river and/or lake. The rider can opt to stand or kneel on the board while paddling. “Paddle boarding is an adventure water sport which children love. Through Paddle for Future, I want to popularise this sport which strengthens arms and upper body muscles among children and youth, while simultaneously highlighting the importance of conserving water bodies,” says Kumaran Mahalingam, geologist and founder of the Chennai-based Paddle for Future (estb.2016). An accomplished stand-up paddler and environment conservation educator, Kumaran has earned three entries in the Limca Book of Records between 2014 and 2016 for various feats in stand-up paddling. Kumaran, who has “taught people from six to 85 years of age”, is conducting paddle boarding summer camps on River Kollidam near Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu. Dates: April 15-end May. Contact: +91-99710 91541, +91-95782 12910. Plogging Invented in Sweden, plogging combines the popular sport of running for health (jogging) and picking up litter (Swedish: plocka upp). In 2016, Swedish environmentalist Erik Ahlstrom became aware of rising piles of litter, particularly plastic waste, on Stockholm’s roadsides. Responding to this phenomenon, he began organising groups of people to bag plastic waste and trash while jogging. Since then, this eco-friendly workout which combines jogging with clearing non-biodegradable plastic waste, has become popular worldwide with plogging clubs and groups mushrooming in urban habitats. In India too, some environment groups have begun organising plogging runs. For instance, Indiahikes, Bangalore, organises Green Trails in the Himalayas where trekkers have to clean-up plastic bags increasingly littered in hiking trails and picnic spots en route. The summer holidays offer a…

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The Buddhist pilgrimage circuit

With the resurgence of global interest in the gentle, compassionate and self-sacrificing message of Gautama Buddha, the Buddhist trail or circuit stretching from Nepal to Bihar has been experiencing a rush of pilgrims and tourists Like the New Testament which recounts the life and ministry of Jesus Christ (1-33 AD), the biography of Gautama Buddha (536-486 BCE) is also one of the greatest stories ever told. The Buddha’s message fell on receptive ears, particularly of people suffering the inherent iniquities and injustices of the Hindu caste system. During his ministry, he developed a community of self-abnegating monks who took his message across the seas especially to the Far East into China, Japan, Sri Lanka and Cambodia, which to this day remain strongly Buddhist countries. Currently estimates of the global Buddhist population vary between 489 million and 1 billion. A prince of the Shakya clan born in 536 BCE in Lumbini (Nepal), Siddhartha Gautama abandoned his palatial home at age 29 to become a wandering ascetic. After six years of observing the sufferings of the world, while seated in deep meditation under a Bo (fig) tree in Bodh Gaya in modern day Bihar, he attained nirvana (enlightenment) and transformed into the Buddha (fully enlightened). From the age of 35 until his death at age 80 (486 BCE), he adopted the life of a religious Master, who taught four noble truths (arya satyani). In essence, the Buddha’s analysis of the cause of human suffering was that their condition is rooted in worldly desires. He preached that the conquest of desire is the route to happiness, arguing that human beings — rather than the gods — shape their own destinies. He explained in detail the chain of causes which lead to suffering and ways and means to attain nirvana. Moreover, since he believed that man was the arbiter of his own destiny, he questioned vedic rituals, the caste system and the superiority of Brahmins within it. The sequence of the 15 Buddhist holy sites follows the Buddha’s life cycle and the journeys performed by him as narrated in the Jatakas and the Tipitaka, and are sacred for Buddhists. Among them are his birthplace, Lumbini (Indo-Nepal border), Bodh Gaya (where he received enlightenment), Sarnath (where he gave his first sermon) and Kushinagar (where he breathed his last). With a resurgence of global interest in the gentle, compassionate and self-effacing message of Buddhism, the Buddhist trail or circuit has been experiencing a rush of pilgrims and tourists. The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has introduced a special train — the Mahaparinirvan Express — which offers a guided tour of eight days. Lumbini The birthplace of the Buddha, Lumbini nestles in the Himalayan foothills of Rupandehi district, Nepal, near the Indian border. In 1997, it was designated a Unesco World Heritage Site and nominated for the international World Heritage programme. The scripture Sutta Nipáta states that the Buddha was born in a village of the Sákyans, in the Lumbi-neyya Janapada. Records maintained by the…

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Enabling children to adjust to new city/school: Suncity School, Gurgaon

PW invited parents of Suncity School, Gurgaon, to share insights on how they enabled their children to adjust and adapt to a new city and/or school “Ten years ago when we moved back from the US, my daughter Shriya (class XII) was seven years old. When she was enrolled in class II, she was obliged to study Hindi compulsorily. Though her school gave her the option to choose an easier Hindi course, she decided to take the regular course as most children spoke fluent Hindi. Her American accent was making it difficult to communicate with others, leave alone make new friends. My husband and I fixed a meeting with Shriya’s Hindi teacher to understand the course requirements. Based on her advice, we invested in some Hindi language guides and began to coach our daughter at home. Within no time, she was able to fluently converse in Hindi and gradually made new friends.” — Kavita Nayyar, accounts head at 80 dB Communications “When we moved to a new neighbourhood recently, we taught our 17-year-old daughter Charvi (class XII, Suncity School Gurgaon) to make friends with our neighbours. Through them, she made a bunch of other friends and now the list is endless. Moreover, we also encouraged her to teach the children of the domestic help in the area on weekends and holidays. Inspired by her, many children in the neighbourhood have also taken to voluntary work,” Shishir Gagan Singh, astt. general manager, SAIL “The beginning of school season for any child can be quite overwhelming. It was no different for my 12- year-old daughter Anishka (class VI). We decided to take her on an advance tour of the school especially the play areas, the colourful classrooms, the sports complex, music and art rooms and other activity areas. On the day school opened, encouraged by her teachers and staff in familiar surroundings, my daughter settled in with ease. Since then, she has always looked forward to school.” — Shivani Kapoor, director, Intellitots Learning “I have always believed teachers play a critical role in education. On the day my daughter Aanya (now 11) was to leave play school for regular school, she was very nervous and on the verge of tears. Her nursery class teacher Sangeeta Bagchi, of whom she has fond memories till today, made an extra effort to calm her down and allayed her fears of studying in a big school. For the rest of the academic year, Aanya never once made excuses for not attending school. Since then, she has adapted well and transformed into an academically bright and confident young lady.” — Anuj Kapoor, managing director, Nawab Motors Pvt. Ltd Also read: Enhancing children’s learning from home experience

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Bitter gourd pickle

INGREDIENTS + 2 bitter gourds (pavakka) + 1 tsp mustard + ½ tsp roasted and powdered fenugreek seeds + 2 inch piece ginger + 20 cloves garlic + 3 small onions + 10 green chillies + 4 sprigs curry leaves + ½ tsp turmeric + 4 tbsp Kashmiri chili powder + ½ cup gingelly/sesame oil + Salt to taste + ½ cup vinegar Preparation guide + Wash the bitter gourd, deseed and cut into very thin pieces (lengthwise). Add 1 tsp salt, cover and keep aside for half an hour. + Slice the garlic and finely chop the ginger. Slit green chillies and slice small onions. Squeeze and fry the gourd in oil till golden brown and keep aside. + Fry the garlic till slightly golden brown, drain and now fry the ginger and drain. + Fry the green chillies till brown and drain, followed by curry leaves and small onions. Clear the oil and pop the mustard seeds. + Switch off the flame and add turmeric powder and chilli powder to oil followed by salt and roasted fenugreek powder. + Pour the vinegar and bring to a boil. + Mix all the fried ingredients and taste for salt. + Cool and transfer to a glass bottle.

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Lucky lauki kofta curry

INGREDIENTS For the kofta + ½ bottle gourd + ¼ cup gram flour + Salt to taste + ½ tsp turmeric + ½ tsp Kashmiri red chilli powder + 2 tbsp corn flour + ¼ tsp garam masala powder + Oil for deep frying For the onion-tomato paste + 2 tsp oil + 1 finely chopped onion + 2 tsp ginger-garlic paste + 2 finely chopped tomatoes + 10 cashews Other ingredients + 2 tsp oil + ½ tsp cumin seeds + 1 bay leaf + ½ tsp turmeric + 1 tsp Kashmiri red chilli powder + 1 tsp coriander powder + Salt to taste + ¼ cup curd + 1 tsp kasuri methi or dry fenugreek leaves + ½ tsp garam masala powder + 1 finely chopped tsp coriander leaves Preparation guide + To make the koftas, peel and grate the bottle gourd. + Add salt and squeeze well (keep the water). + Add the gram flour and spices. Mix well and make into small balls. + Coat with cornflour and deep fry. Drain and keep aside. + For the gravy, heat oil and add cumin and bay leaf. + Add turmeric and chilli powder, onion-tomato paste and saute well. Now add the coriander powder and salt. + Pour the leftover lauki water and curd. Stir well on low heat. + Add kasuri methi and garam masala powder. + Transfer the gravy to a serving bowl and add the koftas. + Garnish with coriander and serve with roti.

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Masor Tenga

Assamese fish curry with ridge gourd Ingredients + 4 pieces Rohu/ Catla fish + 1/2 tsp salt + 1/2 tsp turmeric powder + 1/2 cup mustard oil + 1 chopped ridge gourd + 4 chopped tomatoes + 1/4 tsp fenugreek seeds + Juice of 1/2 lime Preparation Guide + Sprinkle 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp turmeric powder on the fish cubes and rub well. Heat oil in a pan, and fry the fish in batches until crisp on the outside. Keep aside. + In the remaining oil, add the fenugreek seeds and let them crackle on medium heat. + Tip in the chopped ridge gourd and add 1/4 tsp turmeric powder. Let it cook for 7-8 minutes. Once the gourd softens, add tomatoes and mix well. + Cover with a lid and let it cook for 4-5 minutes until the tomatoes are pulpy. + You could also use the back of your spoon to mash the vegetables. + Add 3 cups warm water and turn up the heat. Once the curry comes to a boil, add salt to taste. + Add in the fish cubes and continue cooking until the curry thickens. This should take 5-6 minutes. + Remove from heat, and squeeze the lime on top. + Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and serve with steamed rice.

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Good Gourd

The not-so exotic gourd vegetable — bitter, ivy, ridge and bottle varieties — is rich in nutrients and offers many health benefits. For instance, bitter gourd stabilises blood sugar levels, destroys parasites in the digestive canal, and cools the body (ideal on a hot summer day). All gourds contain essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, manganese and zinc which boost bone strength and density. They are also rich in minerals, which improve blood circulation and iron, which prevents anaemia, and aids digestion. Here are some easy-to-make gourd recipes: Gourd salad Ingredients For the salad + 10 ivy gourds + 2 medium tomatoes + 1 pomegranate + ½ medium pineapple + 1 grapefruit For the dressing + 2 tbsp olive oil + 1 tsp organic vinegar + Salt and pepper to taste Preparation guide + Cook ivy gourd for around 8 minutes in water, to remove the raw taste. Allow the gourd to cool after boiling. + Remove the ends and slice the gourd. Keep aside. + Cut the tomato, remove the flesh of the grapefruit, cut pineapple into cubes, and deseed the pomegranate. + Mix all the ingredients for the salad. + Mix olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper to make the dressing. + Drizzle dressing over the salad. Also Read:Mango delights

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Treating infant cold infections

Treating infant cold infections: ParentsWorld spoke to child nutritionists and paediatricians to suggest effective ways of treating cold symptoms of infants – Cynthia John New-borns and infants are more susceptible to cold infections as their immunity systems are still developing. Since they are too young to express discomfort and vocalise pain through loud and continuous crying, parents express extreme frustration about ways and means to address child distress caused by cold infections. ParentsWorld spoke to child nutritionists and paediatricians to suggest effective ways of treating cold symptoms of infants. Breastmilk Breastmilk greatly boosts a child’s immunity. If your infant has a cold infection, you should continue breastfeeding. Ditto if you have an infection. Many mothers worry unduly about passing on infections to their newborns through breastmilk. “A new mother’s body creates antibodies against her own infection and breastmilk contains those antibodies. So when you breastfeed you are helping your baby fight infections,” says Sonali Shivlani, a Mumbai-based lactation and child nutrition counsellor and executive director of CAPPA India (Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association). However, she advises parents to follow basic hygienic practices such as washing and drying hands before breastfeeding, and to avoid coughing or sneezing when near a new-born. Also keep family members suffering from viral infections far away from infants. Mild steaming Another effective way to clear an infant’s stuffy nose is through steaming. But, this panacea has to be administered very differently for infants. Suffuse a bathroom with steam vapours by turning on the hot shower. When the room is full of steam, carry your baby into the bathroom. This gentle exposure will clear the nasal tract. You could also fill a bucket with hot water, and sit near — but not too near — it with your baby. Don’t mix any type of pain balm or medicine in the water, as the steam can carry its vapours into the lungs of infants, which is very harmful. Only plain water must be used. Saline solution “Infants can’t blow their noses like adults do. Therefore infuse one or two drops of saline solution in each nostril. This will help to decongest the nose,” says Dr. Basavaraju B.S, a practising paediatrician at Rohit Children’s Clinic, Bangalore. Saline solution is available over-the-counter in pharmacies. It comprises sterile water and salt and is without medication. Alternately, make your own saline solution by boiling two cups of water. Add a teaspoon of salt. Allow it to cool for 10-15 minutes and store it in a sterile bottle. Use it within 24 hours. After administering the drops, gently pull out your child’s mucous using a bulb syringe if needed. Raise the level of your baby’s head by using a pillow or folded towel to ease breathing. New-borns under three months of age are prone to developing secondary infections, so it’s best to consult a paediatrician. For infants aged above three months, watch out for other symptoms such as fever above 100.4°C, inability to feed, severe cough, ear pain, red eyes, or unusually high…

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Heart to Heart

Do you want to make a difference to society?

There are many ways in which we can make an impact on the lives of others. We can protect the environment, create awareness of social needs and reach out to help those who are in need.

The satisfaction of making a difference is inestimable. PW Kidzone gives you […]

Rising demand for footwear professionals

With high-end leather and footwear multinationals shifting sourcing and manufacturing to India, promising career options have opened up for footwear professionals Endowed with the world’s largest — and arguably most abused — livestock (cattle, buffalo, sheep and goat) population of 512.5 million head (2017), it’s hardly surprising that India’s footwear industry, with an annual sales turnover estimated by the Associated Chambers of Commerce (Assocham) at Rs 2,22,800 crore and growing at 15 percent annually, offers a plethora of career opportunities. Although the industry employs more than 2.5 million citizens currently, until recently the leather products and footwear industry was the preserve of traditional and ill-remunerated craftsmen without technical or formal training. But with high-end leather and footwear multinationals shifting their sourcing and manufacturing bases to India, which permits 100 percent foreign direct investment in this industry, promising career options have opened up for leather products technologists and footwear designers. STUDY PROGRAMMES. One of the well-kept secrets of Indian academia is that there are dozens of institutes offering degree and diploma programmes in leather processing technology and footwear design. Among the most prominent institutions are the Footwear Design and Development Institute, Noida (which has eight campuses countrywide); Central Leather Research Institute, Chennai; Central Footwear Training Institute, Chennai and Agra, National Institute of Fashion Technology, Delhi, Gandhinagar and Chennai and the Government Leather Institute, Agra. These postgrad institutions admit science graduates with chemistry as a subject. For professional designers and leather technology experts, there’s no dearth of employment in the fast-track footwear (and leather goods) industry. While technical designers are involved with raw material processes, production and research, stylists conceptualise, shape and finish marketable footwear. Both are also much sought after by leather garment production houses and boutiques. Professionally qualified freshers are traditionally hired as apprentices to technologists and stylists to absorb the latest technologies and develop independent design capabilities. And since the industry is dominated by private sector and foreign corporates, start-up pay packages are good, with freshers starting at Rs.25,000-30,000 per month. Quick learners and gifted designers routinely experience fast career progression. PROFESSIONAL PROFILE. “The aggregate annual revenue of this highly skills and labour intensive industry is set to cross $258.22 billion by 2023. The footwear industry is dynamic, and new designs have to be launched every day. With new players from India and abroad entering the industry, there’s a huge demand for professionally-qualified leather processing technology experts and fashion-conscious designers,” says Ishaan Sachdeva, the Delhi-based dynamic, young director of Virola Shoes Pvt. Ltd, a constituent unit of the Agra-based Virola International. Virola International, which boasts five technology-intensive factories, is among the country’s most respected manufacturers and exporters of footwear. Alberto Torresi is the group’s flagship brand and is popular in India and abroad. A graduate of the Shri Ram College of Commerce, Delhi, with an MBA from S.P. Jain Institute of Management & Research, Mumbai, Sachdeva is bullish about the growth of India’s footwear industry. “With footwear manufactured in India becoming increasingly popular in Germany, Italy, Holland, England, USA,…

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Spoken Word Poetry

A performance art, spoken word poetry is written and intended for stage performance – Jayalakshmi Vaidyanathan

Just when poetry was being written off as old-fashioned and out of tune with the social media age, it has emerged in a new avatar — spoken word poetry. A performing art, spoken word poetry is written and intended for […]

The language of Mathematics

Every mathematical number or symbol has a corresponding word or phrase. Mathematics has a language of its own – Roopa Banerjee Mathematics is associated with numbers and symbols. But, it’s also associated with intriguing words. Every mathematical number or symbol has a corresponding word or phrase. Math has a language of its own. The deeper we study the subject, the more likely we will come across words that are unique to this scientific discipline. Most commonly used words in maths owe their origin to Old English. When the Romans conquered Britain, the local population spoke Celtic. The Romans brought Latin with them and later, other invaders brought their languages. Thus, developed the Anglo-Saxon language aka Old English. Number words such as one, two, three, four and measurement terms such as foot, yard, etc originate from Old English. French words were introduced after the Norman conquest of England in 1066. Some French origin words include surface and surjection. Most mathematical terms are of Latin origin. Arithmetic is derived from arithmetica. Interestingly, until the middle ages, most math words had an extra ‘r’ (eg. arithmetrika). A large body of mathematical work was produced between 300 BC and 300 AD by Greek mathematicians Euclid and Archimedes among others. They gave us the Greek math words such as isosceles and convex. Unlike other sciences where new jargon has to be approved by international organisations such as the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), math words formation is left to individual initiative. Therefore the process of word formation in maths is often quite unpredictable. Moreover many specialised words associated with important concepts were not coined for years — mathematicians used the word radius for centuries before ‘diameter’ came into being. Addition and fraction were coined as early as 1100 AD while determinant came into existence as late as 1810. Some familiar math words which are part of our daily usage today were heavily opposed when coined. For instance matrix and statistics received a lot of opposition as the origin of these words didn’t mean what they denote in mathematics. There is also an abundance of synonyms in this science — e.g modulus and absolute value, characteristic function and indicator function. Many mathematical concepts such as the Abbe-Helmert Criterion and Zorn’s Lemma incorporate the names of people. Did you know? Algebra was coined by Persian scholar/astronomer Al-Khowarizmi in 825 AD. The origin Arabic word is al-jabr which means the reunion of broken parts, where a subtracted quantity on one side of an equation became an added quantity when moved to the other side. Decimal is derived from the Latin decimus, meaning ‘tenth’. Parabola was coined by Greek philosopher Apollonius, who had words for all three conic sections. Plus or minus were used commonly by the Romans to indicate ‘more or less’. Quiz Guess the mathematical term that was derived from the origin as stated below: 1. A Greek word Circulus (meaning to hoop around or from a diminutive of the circular Roman circus). 2.…

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3 summer reads

Here are 3 interesting summer reads The Tintin series by Hergé (Casterman, 1929-1976) The much-loved comic hero Tintin turns 90 this year! Tintin, the Belgian investigative reporter created by Georges Prosper Remi who wrote under the pen Hergé, has fans across generations and countries, with the comic series being published in over 70 languages. It’s never too early to begin reading a Tintin comic. But for those getting started, here are some essential facts about Tintin and his creator. Family ties. Tintin creator Hergé’s father and uncle were twins and inspired the characters of the Thompson twins. Opera singer Bianca Castafiore is inspired by his grandmother. Snowy tales. The first in the series, Tintin in the Land of Soviets, was published in 1930, introducing readers to white fox terrier Snowy. First on the moon. The Explorers on the Moon was published in 1954, 15 years before US astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the moon. Spot the creator. Hergé appears in a cameo in all the comics and onscreen as well. The New Childhood: Raising Kids to Thrive in a Connected World by Jordan Shapiro (Little, Brown Spark, 2018) Jordan Shapiro, a professor in the intellectual heritage faculty at Temple University, Philadelphia, USA, provides a new contrarian perspective on digital addiction. He believes that gaming and technology confer many benefits and families and children must engage in them. “Digital tools act like a bridge between individual and common experiences. They ease the strain between inner and outer realities,” writes Shapiro. Drawing on latest research, Shapiro offers practical advice on how to parent and educate children effectively in a digitally connected world, and how to use technology to engage with kids and enable them to learn and grow. Footprints on Zero Line by Gulzar, Translated by Rakshanda Jalil (Harper Perennial, 2017) If you want children to understand the human tragedy of the India-Pakistan Partition of 1947, this book is strongly recommended. Well-known poet and Bollywood lyricist Gulzar witnessed the horrors of Partition first-hand and it’s a theme he often returns to in his writings. Footprints on Zero Line is a collection of his finest work — prose and poetry. The first part features Gulzar’s poems where he reminisces about his hometown, Dina, now in Pakistan. The second half comprises short stories depicting the human suffering and devastation caused by the Partition. What sets this book apart from other writings on Partition is that Gulzar looks beyond 1947 to narrate how this division continues to affect our lives today. Also read: 3 inspiring reads: Books depicting diverse cultures and lifestyles

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Is talc powder safe for children?

A friend recently told me about the dangers of infants inhaling talcum powder, especially baby powder. I wish I had not used it so liberally when my older two children were infants — my youngest is still six months old. Our entire family uses talc on the face. Does inhaling it cause breathing difficulties? — Jayalakshmi Srikanth, Chennai Talcum powder is composed of very fine mineral powder which can cause breathing problems in children. It can also cause allergic reactions such as wheezing in children. Commonly, talcum powder is used after each nappy change to keep infants dry, with some parents dusting infants with powder brushes. This could result in the powder entering a child’s respiratory system. Avoid using baby talc powder totally. Is it wrong to give my children aged eight and 11 years paracetamol tablets when they have fever? I am told that they can cause long term liver damage. In that case, what medication should I administer when they are suffering from cold, fever and headache? — Sreeja Bala, Chennai Paracetamol is the safest medicine to control fever in children. It is widely acknowledged as safer than other drugs. Your paediatrician will prescribe the correct dosage depending on your child’s body weight and age. Paracetamol can be administered with a gap of four-six hours until fever subsides. Paracetamol is the safest pain medication for children. I read that many dangerous viruses such as the West Nile fever, dengue and others are transmitted through mosquitoes. During summer my children play well after dusk and it is almost impossible to avoid mosquitoes. I don’t like using mosquito repellent devices as they contain harmful chemicals. Please advise.— Richa Singhania, Pune There are many alternatives to chemical devices. You could use cloth mosquito nets. Wear long-sleeved clothes. Keep your surroundings clean and ensure that water doesn’t stagnate in and around your house. Dengue-causing mosquitoes breed in clean water as in potted plants. Follow these precautions even during daytime as the dengue mosquito bites during the day, especially below the knees unlike the malaria mosquito which stings at night. My son enjoys drinking ice-cold water. Many people say this will damage his teeth. Is it true or is it just an old wives’ tale? — Rizwana Taslim, Mumbai Ice-cold water could harm the enamel of teeth. It could also trigger illnesses such as tonsillitis or pharyngitis. Therefore drinking ice-cold water occasionally is alright but it’s best avoided. Ask your child to mix iced water with room temperature water. (Dr. Prabha Punith is a practising paediatrician at the Little Steps Children’s Clinic, Bangalore)

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Help! My son’s stammering is getting worse

My seven-year-old son stammers. I was advised to wait and watch. But it has only become worse. We are trying speech and language therapy sessions but there’s little improvement. My son too is becoming frustrated. Please advise. — Shruti Prasad, Bangalore Stuttering aka stammering is a speech disorder which affects 5 percent of children. But most recover normal speech by age seven-eight. However some continue to experience long-term difficulties. This is a biological and neurological condition and may be genetic. Very often academic pressures at home and in school worsen the condition. You should consult a psychiatrist to assess your son for emotional triggers. Together with speech therapy, encourage activities that enhance relaxation. Most important, you need to support your son through this difficult time. I suggest the following: * Don’t ridicule and/or make him conscious of his speech defect * Allow him the freedom to choose to express and restrain himself according to his convenience * Stand up for him. Let him know he has your full support * Encourage free play and activities which are enjoyable and relaxing * Provide a supportive and loving home environment. Remember academic and other pressures at home and in school aggravate stammering. My 13-year-old daughter is overweight. This is triggering other body reactions such as acne and hair growth on the face and arms. As a result, her classmates tease and bully her and she has few friends in school. She has also been diagnosed with PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome). How can I can help and reassure her? — Silvia Roma Patekar, Mumbai The emotional fallout of poor body image and rejection by peers needs to be addressed specifically and immediately. Your entire family needs to make lifestyle changes including adopting healthy diet and regular exercise regimens. When your daughter observes that everyone at home is making changes to lead a healthy life, she is likely to accept the change as natural. Otherwise they will be perceived as corrective measures because she is flawed. Avoid putting her on fad diets because they do more harm than good. Most importantly, listen to her with parental empathy without lectures and ridicule. She may often want to share her frustrations. When she does, don’t jump in with advice and suggestions. This prompts dependency and inability to resolve problems. Instead encourage and empower her to devise her own solutions. It will help her develop the courage to initiate consistent action. To counter bullying, encourage her to be assertive in her peer group. My 2.5-year-old daughter loves being around people and is a happy-go-lucky child. I recently enroled her in a preschool for 2.5 hours in the morning. Every day when I drop her to school she starts bawling at the gates and continues wailing for the next half-hour. It has been two weeks since she can began school, and the situation hasn’t changed. Should I withdraw her for a year before sending her to play school? — Shaivi Chakraborty, Kolkata It’s common for young children to…

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Obsessive-compulsive disorder in children

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental disorder in which an individual has uncontrollable, recurring thoughts (obsessions) and behaviors (compulsions) that she needs to repeat continuously Does your child indulge in a series of repetitive actions? Is she gripped by strong obsessions and unwarranted anxiety? Is she slow in getting ready for school and completing homework? Does she constantly erase and rewrite sentences to make them perfect? Has repeating sentences become an everyday ritual? Have you observed her switching electronic devices on and off several times? If any one or more of these behaviour symptoms are manifesting daily, your child is suffering obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The popular belief is that OCD is an adult affliction. But several studies indicate that 80 percent of adults diagnosed with OCD display symptoms before 18 years of age. OCD is a mental disorder in which a person has uncontrollable, recurring thoughts (obsessions) and behaviours (compulsions) that she needs to repeat continuously. It is defined by high anxiety and stress that have the potential to make everyday experiences intolerable especially for children. OCD symptoms are not limited to mere fascination with cleanliness — as commonly believed. This pathology can play havoc with a child’s day-to-day activities schedule such as playing with friends, going to school, or enjoying hobbies. Causes There is no known cause of obsessive-compulsive disorder . Usually children develop this disorder if there is a family history of disquiet and anxiety or if the child has experienced a traumatic event. Symptoms Parents tend to misinterpret OCD symptoms as ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder), depression, or general nervousness. Therefore it’s important that a correct diagnosis is made so that appropriate and timely medical intervention alleviates high anxiety. OCD symptoms usually manifest in children between 7-12 years of age. Typical symptoms displayed by a child or adolescent suffering OCD are: * Repetitive obsessions characterised by unwanted, intrusive thoughts, ideas, visual images and fears that incite fretfulness. * Compulsive behaviour and repetitive actions performed by the child to alleviate anxiety triggered by obsessive thinking. Examples of obsessions * Display of extreme interest in cleanliness and strong urge to protect herself from germs, dirt or illness. For instance a child may continually wash her hands and feet after returning home from play or school * Expresses recurrent doubts about being able to complete tasks such as homework * Excessive fixation with symmetry, order and exactness * Unwarranted interest in remembering trivia * Unwarranted attention to detail * Aggressive thoughts towards self or others Examples of compulsive behaviour * Washing hands excessively and frequently * Constantly checking notes or written work, excessive counting and recounting of numbers * Regular repetition of words spoken by self or others or repeating sounds, words, numbers or musical notes * Rigidly following self-imposed rules of order such as arranging personal items in a particular way and experiencing anxiety if the arrangement is disturbed * Repeating questions and insisting on answers Treatment This disorder can be effectively treated in children, particularly if diagnosed early. Typically, mental…

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Making homes child-safe

Young children are naturally curious and accident prone. If left unsupervised for even short periods of time, they are likely to place themselves in harm’s way. Therefore it’s important that parents take special care to make their homes child-safe to prevent accidents. Here are 10 common household safety hazards and dangers parents must watch out for. Plastic bags Though all state governments countrywide have banned use of plastic bags, they are still readily available and most Indian households tend to hoard and reuse them. Very often they are stored in easily accessible corners of the kitchen and house. Plastic bags have a fatal attraction for children. They love to put them over their heads. This can be fatal as they could block air supply and within seven minutes, a child can die. If confronted with this situation, a parent/caregiver must yank the bag off and administer mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to revive children. Drowning A toddler can drown in as little as one inch of water if she falls face down into it. It could be an open bucket, water tank or even just a basin with water. If you must store water, use large jerry cans of 20 litres capacity. They have a small opening into which only a child’s arm will fit. If your child is in a water-related accident, you need to immediately pull her out, place her on her back and pump water out from her body. Place the heel of one hand on the centre of the chest at the nipple line or push with one hand on top of the other. For an infant, place two fingers on the breastbone. Then press down at least 2 inches. Do chest compressions at the rate of 100-120 per minute or more followed by mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Paint Paints comes in fascinating, attractive colours. As it peels, flakes and crumbles, it becomes easily accessible to children. Lead paints are banned in several countries, but not in India. If children continuously nibble at paint scrapings in the corners of walls, they can develop lead poisoning. Sometimes, cheap toys are also coated with lead paint. Lead poisoning causes anemia and learning disabilities in children. If you suspect lead poisoning, do a blood test. Levels of more than 5 mcg/dL are unsafe for children. If it reaches 45 mcg/dL, medication is required. Fire Children love fire, matchsticks and automatic gas lighters. To make your homes child-safe, keep matchboxes and gas lighters away from their reach, high up on kitchen shelves. If children accidently start a fire, they are in great danger since they don’t know how to douse it. If your child’s clothing is on fire, smother the flames by rolling her in a heavy counterpane or blanket. Choking Adults choke on fish and chicken bones, but children are more likely to choke on non-food items such as whistles, clips and small plastic parts of toys. If a child is choking, administer five back blows by kneeling down behind her. Place one arm…

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Children use too much toothpaste

Most children use too much toothpaste, and run the risk of having streaky or splotchy teeth as they get older, says an early February report of the US-based Center for Disease Control and Prevention. According to the report based on a survey of parents of 5,000 children aged 3-15 years, 40 percent of three-six-year-olds used toothbrushes that were full or half-full of toothpaste. While toothpastes with fluoride are recommended, dental health experts recommend that children under three years use a very small quantity — the size of a grain of rice. Children aged three-six years should use a pea-sized amount. Too much fluoride in the formational years can cause tooth streaking or spottiness known as dental fluorosis. “Fluoride is a wonderful benefit but it needs to be used carefully. You don’t want children eating it like food. We want the parent to be in charge of the toothbrush and the toothpaste,” says Dr. Mary Hayes, a pediatric dentist based in Chicago, who suggests parents monitor their children’s oral care activity closely.

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50 percent of children’s cancers go undetected

Almost half of childhood cancer cases worldwide go undiagnosed, says a team of Harvard University researchers who analysed data of the World Health Organisation. The report published in Nature (March) says that in 2015, 397,000 children under-15 globally were afflicted with cancer, and 43 percent of these cases were undiagnosed. The figures are much higher than of official cancer registries, meaning that tens of thousands of children each year are untreated, and eventually die with the disease undiagnosed. “Because a lot of children don’t have access to primary care, they don’t have access to cancer specialists and their cancers are undiagnosed,” says Zachary Ward, a health-policy researcher at Harvard University, USA. Ward’s research team predicts that, between 2015 and 2030, 6.7 million children worldwide will be afflicted by cancer. According to Ward, if health-care systems don’t improve, 2.9 million of these won’t be detected.

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India’s hosts world’s largest population of stunted children

Only 9 percent of Indian children in the age group six to 24 months receive adequate nutrition, says Alok Kumar, advisor to the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog, India’s government think tank. “One-third of children in India are growing up stunted, and tackling malnutrition is a major challenge for India. The main reason is lack of awareness about nutrition issues. This requires introducing behavioural changes in a campaign mode to reach every household,” said Kumar speaking at an event organised in Delhi by Unicef on March 13. According to Unicef’s Global Nutrition Report 2018, released in November last year, India with 46.6 million stunted children tops the list of countries with the largest number of malnourished children worldwide followed by Nigeria (13.9 million) and Pakistan (10.7 million).

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E-cigarette vape unsafe for children

Believing that exposure to e-cigarette vape i.e, vapour, is safe for children, parents are increasingly vaping at home and in the car, reveals a study published in Pediatrics (March). The study conducted by the Massachusetts General Hospital, USA which surveyed 750 parents, found that 56 percent of both e-cigarette and dual users reported using e-cigarettes in their cars with children around. “The finding that a large majority of parents are vaping e-cigarettes inside homes and cars is an alarming trend. Our results suggest parents believe it’s safe to use electronic cigarettes and are not taking the same precautions they do to protect their children from exposure to traditional cigarettes,” says lead author Jeremy Drehmer, senior clinical research project manager at the Massachusetts General Hospital. Although e-cigarettes are believed to be safer than traditional cigarettes, new research shows that their ‘vapour’ is also harmful to children. Carcinogenetic volatile organic compounds have been detected in the urine of e-cigarette users, and e-cigarettes leave deposits of nicotine on surfaces. “Parents have been misled by the marketing of vaping products to believe that the aerosol produced by them is harmless for children. Paediatric healthcare providers need to set the record straight and inform parents that e-cigarette vapour is not safe for children either,” says Drehmer.

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Right choice

I was homeschooled from class V onwards by my mother. It was a stress-free and enjoyable experience which is why I have decided to homeschool my three children. Unfortunately the mainstream education system hasn’t changed since I was a child. It is too straight-jacketed and oppresses the creativity and natural curiosity of children. The biggest advantage of home education is that you can tailor-make study programmes and pedagogies to suit each child’s learning style. Children also have the freedom and flexibility to choose their subjects of study. Most importantly it teaches children to take responsibility for their own learning. The popular public perception of homeschooled children seems to be that they are super-gifted nerds inept at developing social and peer relationships. This is untrue. Homeschoolers are normal children who love meeting and playing with friends. In fact the flexibility of their schedules allows them to meet friends frequently and participate in extra-curricular activities. But I must also warn it’s a lot of hard work — as one of the parents you quoted in the cover story said parents “have to combine the roles of principal, parent, teacher and counselor”. Girija Ramesh Puducherry One-sided story I was quite disappointed by the March cover story which gave a one sided view of homeschooling in India. Moreover my quote is totally distorted. It says exactly the opposite of what I meant to say. This is what I wanted to say: “We initially started homeschooling because we felt our elder son was interested in music and we wanted him to spend more time in music. He was an all-rounder in school and we don’t have any complaints on that, but we thought he should give more time and attention to his passion.” Sandhya Viswan Bangalore Your garbled response to our correspondent evidently confused her. Therefore your quote was edited for clarity after studying your interviews with other publications. The plain facts are that you have withdrawn your children from mainstream schooling and that you are pleased with their learning outcomes and development. Your contention that your quote is the “opposite of what I meant to say” reflects your own confusion. Therefore your complaint is unwarranted. On the contrary you should be grateful that some cogency and meaning was invested into your confused responses — Editor Different version I agree with Sandhya. What I said and what was finally published in your magazine is a totally different version. Not acceptable! Amrutha Langs Mumbai See response to previous letter — Editor Tried and tested I read your cover story on homeschooling (PW March) with interest and was surprised with the growing number of Indian parents opting to educate their children at home. The formal schooling system has been tried and tested for centuries. I think it’s being unfairly ridiculed and criticised. The world’s greatest leaders, entrepreneurs and educators have graduated from formal schools. For many parents including myself, helping children with their homework is more than enough homeschooling. Children need to learn to fend for themselves…

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Letter from the Managing Editor

Once upon a time, the six-eight weeks summer holidays were a time of rest and relaxed recreation for parents and children with both taking a well-deserved break from stressful school routines. It was usual to pack the children off to grandparents’ homes where children spent their time in unstructured play with cousins and friends in the neighbourhood and read novels on lazy afternoons. All this has changed in the new millennium. With the breakdown of the joint family, emergence of dual income nuclear households and a full-fledged summer camps industry, summer vacations have transformed into a period of hectic activity as ambitious parents prepare their children for success in the VUGA (volatile uncertain complex and ambiguous) world. Suddenly, a plethora of heavily advertised extra-curricular self-improvement options such as music and dance classes, intensive sports training and personality and cognitive development programmes are on offer. Impromptu and unstructured play and lazying around is out of fashion. But even as signing up children for summer camps run by famous professionals has become a status symbol for middle class households, a contrary viewpoint advising a return to old-fashioned lazy summer holidays is striking a resonant chord within well-educated middle-class families. Contrarian educationists and child development gurus are increasingly advocating return to care-free holidays and unstructured free play to recharge children’s batteries. Indeed, latest research indicates that periods of boredom during holidays are beneficial for the cognitive growth and development of children. In this issue’s cover story, we explain why parents should resist the temptation to pack the summer holiday with professionally administered self-improvement camps and programmes. Instead, we present a carefully curated list of summer activity options beyond normative summer programmes. They include a healthy mix of socially purposive activities such as plogging, water paddling, building bird baths and feeders for birds during the cruel summer months and unhurried and leisurely DIY in-house activities. Also check out our Early Childhood feature on making homes child-safe by Vellore-based pediatrician Dr. Gita Mathai, Middle Years story on diagnosing and treating symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder in children by Mumbai-based psychiatrist Dr. Manjiri Deshpande, and our newly introduced section Kidzone. The Health & Nutrition feature on treating infants’ cold symptoms suggests useful home remedies.

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