Cinnamon and banana dessert (8 servings) Ingredients 2 tsp brown sugar ¼ tsp ground cinnamon 4 ripe bananas ¼ cup finely chopped dark chocolate ¼ cup chopped walnuts or almonds 2 tsp lemon juice Preparation guide Mix brown sugar and cinnamon in a bowl. Cut bananas in half lengthwise, leaving peels intact. Grill the bananas, cut sides down. Cook directly over medium heat on an oiled rack of covered grill for two to three minutes until golden brown. Turn and sprinkle the bananas with the cinnamonsugar mixture. Cover and grill for five minutes or until the peels fall away. Transfer to a serving plate and sprinkle with chocolate and chopped nuts. Health benefits Cinnamon is rich in manganese, iron, calcium and fibre. It has been used since medieval times to cure diarrhoea, indigestion and bloating. The honey-cinnamon combo aids digestion, improves the cardiovascular health, keeps the bones, skin, teeth, and hair healthy, and stimulates weight loss.
Recipe for Kadha (2 servings) This traditional Indian decoction is made by boiling herbs and spices in water and served warm with honey, lemon, or plain. It is a traditional remedy for coughs, cold, fever and upset stomachs. The peppercorns provide respiratory relief and stimulate appetite. Ingredients 4 cups water 1 cinnamon stick 5 whole peppercorns 2 cloves ¼ tsp carom seeds 1 inch grated ginger ½ cup mint leaves 2 tsp honey 2 tsp lemon juice Preparation guide Add cinnamon, whole peppercorns, cloves and carom seeds to water and boil. Add the grated ginger and boil till water is reduced to nearly half the quantity. Add fresh mint leaves and boil for another five minutes. The kadha is ready. It can be served immediately but is most effective when served after a couple of hours allowing the herbs to infuse the water. Health benefits A relative of ginger, turmeric has been used in India for centuries to treat common colds, flu and breathing difficulties. The curcumin in turmeric fights a variety of viruses. However turmeric contains only 3 percent curcumin. Therefore to derive the full benefit of its healing properties, you need to add pepper as it enhances curcumin absorption in the body by up to 2,000 percent. Also check out: Immunity boosting food
Turmeric latte recipe (1 serving) Ingredients cup plain or unsweetened almond or coconut milk 1 tbsp grated turmeric (if using turmeric powder, halve the measurement) 2 tsp honey 1 tsp grated ginger Pinch of pepper powder Ground cinnamon for garnish (optional) Preparation guide Blend milk, turmeric, honey, ginger and pepper in a mixer until smooth. Pour into a saucepan and heat over medium-high flame until steaming hot, but not boiling. Transfer to a mug. Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon. Health benefits A relative of ginger, turmeric has been used in India for centuries to treat common colds, flu and breathing difficulties. The curcumin in turmeric fights a variety of viruses. However turmeric contains only 3 percent curcumin. Therefore to derive the full benefit of its healing properties, you need to add pepper as it enhances curcumin absorption in the body by up to 2,000 percent.
Here are four easy to rustle-up immunity boosting food recipes using common Indian spices such as garlic, ginger, cinnamon, and turmeric. Consuming immunity-building foods is a natural and excellent way to protect the body from invasive viruses including Covid-19 – Parvathy Menon Garlic milk (2 servings) Ingredients 1 cup milk 2-3 garlic cloves ¼ tbsp pepper powder Pinch of turmeric 1 tbsp palm sugar (if using regular sugar, halve the quantity) ½ tsp ghee Preparation guide Crush garlic cloves and boil in water until well cooked. Take cloves out and mash. Add mashed garlic, pepper, turmeric, palm sugar and ghee to the milk. Boil the mixture for a few minutes, stirring continuously. Cool and strain before serving. Health benefits Rich in antioxidants, enzymes, flavonoids, vitamin A, B1, B2, B6, C, potassium, copper, zinc, calcium, phosphorous, proteins and manganese, garlic has excellent curative properties. It helps fight the flu, bloating and gastric complaints. Also rich in allicin and selenium, garlic enhances bile production in the liver and thwarts unwanted toxins.
Regular stretching exercises improve joint flexibility and prevent muscle tears, sprains and strains – Monojit Ghosh Stretching exercises keep body muscles flexible, strong and healthy. As people age, joints lose up to 50 percent of their flexibility. Moreover without exercise, muscles shorten and tighten and become weak. This puts the body at risk of joint pain, strains and muscle damage. Regular stretching exercises improve joint flexibility and prevent muscle tears, sprains and strains. Stretching workouts also boost nutrition supply to muscles and improve overall well-being. I strongly recommend children and adults follow a workout schedule comprising stretching exercises daily or at least three-four times per week. Joints and muscles critical for mobility are in the body’s lower extremities — calves, hamstring, hip flexors in the pelvis and quadriceps in the front of the thigh. Stretching your shoulders, neck, and lower back is also beneficial. Useful advice When doing stretching exercises, hold the position for 30 seconds. Don’t bounce back quickly, as it can cause injury. If you experience pain while exercising, it may be because of an injury or damage to body tissue. Stop stretching that muscle and consult your doctor. Here are some simple stretching exercises that you should include in your exercise regimen: Neck side bend and rotation. Stand or sit facing forward and bend the neck to one side and hold for 30 seconds. Repeat on the other side. Now, slowly bend your neck towards the chest and rotate side to side in clockwise direction. Do the same in an anti-clockwise direction. Repeat 2-3 times. Shoulder roll. Stand with your hands to your sides. Roll your shoulders backwards in a circular motion, completing 5 rotations. Then do the same in the forward direction. Repeat 2-3 times. Overhead arm stretch. Sit on a chair, facing forward with your feet on the ground. Extend your right arm up above your head and reach to the left. Bend your torso until you feel the stretch in your right lats and shoulder. Repeat 5 times, then do the same thing with your left arm. Cross body shoulder stretch. Stand with your feet hip width apart. Stretch the right arm out straight, pass the left hand under it and fold it backwards to press the right arm across the body. Pec stretch. You’ll need a doorway for this stretch. Step into the doorway and place one forearm on the doorframe with same side leg forward. Make sure your elbows are bent at the 90-degree angle. Let the weight of your body fall forward slightly so that you feel a stretch in your chest and shoulders Cat and cow. Start on all fours with your neck in a neutral position, not lifted. Your palm should be directly under your shoulders and knees under your hips. On your next inhale, tuck your pelvis and round out your mid back. Draw your naval toward your spine and drop your head to relax the neck. After 3-5 seconds, exhale, and return to a neutral spine position.…
The southern state of Karnataka is naturally endowed with a 320 km western seaboard. We profile some of Karnataka’s most attractive coastal destinations The southern state of Karnataka (pop. 63 million) attracts an estimated 25 million tourists annually from across the country and abroad, drawn by its exotic flora and fauna, wildlife, heritage buildings, and its famous annual ten-day Dasara festival in Mysore. But despite being naturally endowed with a 320 km western seaboard, beach tourism has been neglected. However over the past decade, this anomaly is being addressed with successive state governments investing in developing modern infrastructure, roads, new hotels, resorts and supplementary facilities in the coastal towns of Mangalore, Marwanthe, Murdeshwar, Gokarna and Karwar. Profiled hereunder are some of Karnataka’s most attractive coastal destinations. Karwar Situated 90 km south of Goa and 523 km north-west of Bangalore, Karwar (pop. 63,755) is endowed with rare natural attributes including unspoilt beaches of the Arabian sea, lush forests and the rugged hills of the Western Ghats. This port town sited on the banks of the mighty Kali river is the administrative headquarters of North Kanara district. Complemented by salubrious weather, Karwar is an ideal base for exploring the region’s calm and peaceful valleys, picturesque hills, ancient temples and historic monuments. The surrounding Western Ghats offer nature walks in the wild, while the calm waters of the Arabian sea offer excellent swimming and water sports opportunities. The palm-fringed beaches of the Karwar coast are relatively unexploited for those looking for a refuge from urban pressures. Devbagh Beach bordered on either side by casuarina trees offers diving and snorkeling options in the blue waters of the Arabian Sea. Koodi Bagh beach at the exact point where the Kali river flows into the sea, and the Kaju Bagh beach, brim with a carnival atmosphere when the local gentry congregates every evening. Karwar also hosts some ancient monuments. The Sadashivgad Hill fort crowning a rocky hill on the outskirts of town affords glorious views of the sunset and houses an ancient Durga temple within its ramparts. The 300-year old Venkataramana Temple in the main town contains some fine ochre paintings. Accommodation. Karwar offers a wide spectrum of accommodation options. Top-end: Sterling Karwar (Rs.2,977-3,359 per night), Devbagh Beach Resort (Rs.5,300-6,580). Budget and mid-range: Hotel Kamat Plus (Rs.859-997). Excursions. This coastal town offers diverse getaway options. There is the popular Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary (866 km) with several species of exotic wildlife including elephant, leopard, gaur, civet cat, wild boar, spotted deer, flying squirrel, jackal, etc. Within the sanctuary are the Kavala Caves studded with wondrous stalagmite and stalactite formations. A 45-minute ferry ride takes you to Kurumgad Island, a secluded retreat blessed with natural splendour. Gokarna Featuring virgin beaches and breathtaking landscapes, the small town of Gokarna is 486 km from Bangalore. A celebrated Shaivaite pilgrimage centre, Gokarna ranks as high as Varanasi and Rameshwar (Tamil Nadu) as a consecrated Shaivaite pilgrim’s destination. Legend has it that the atmalinga acquired by Ravana from Lord Shiva was transported…
PW invited parents of Sat Paul Mittal School, Ludhiana to share insights on initiatives they took to enhance their children’s learn from home experience “Enabling our children to adapt to new technologies and online teaching-learning wouldn’t have been possible without school support and counseling by its dedicated staff. However, I ensured that my children — Bhavya, class IX, and Josya, class III — had access to a reliable Internet connection, ate timely meals, got at least eight hours sleep, attended online classes and completed assignments on time. We also made sure they engaged in extra-curricular activities — robotics for my son and classical dance for my daughter.” — Dr. Monika Singla, neurologist, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana “It has been a pleasure spending time with my children — Penaaz (graduate), Harnoor (class XII) and Ajitesh (class X) — and watching them grow into confident individuals. First and foremost, we drew up a daily time able for them as this practice instills discipline. I must admit learning from home has been a surprisingly satisfying experience, as the children are learning with the purpose of gathering knowledge instead of focusing on grades. They play board games and engage in physical activities of their choice in the evenings. While serving as municipal commissioner, I was a frontline worker in the prevention and management of Covid-19 in Ludhiana. My experience has instilled a deep sense of social responsibility within our children.” — Kanwalpreet Brar, director (tourism & culture), Punjab state government “ How to ensure my children learnt new skills while growing physically and mentally was the first question on my mind after Covid-19 shut down schools. We drew up a chart for duties and home rules for my children — Jayna (11) and Hitansh (7) — and suggested ways and means to earn brownie points. In this way, they are learning to become independent, disciplined and thoughtful individuals. For recreation, I enrolled the children in painting with coffee, art on stone and homemade jam online classes. Learning from home also provided splendid opportunity for family members to learn from each other.” — Punita Bembi, homemaker “To ensure a smooth learn from home experience, we provided my teenage daughter Kyra (13) with a laptop computer, a stable Internet connection and a noise-free room with a study table and chair. In these challenging times, we are grateful to the school management and committed teachers for ensuring learning continuity through their digital online learning initiatives. I am happy to share that Kyra is punctual and attentive during her online classes and submits her assignments on time. Evenings are spent doing free hand exercises and attending rahao (‘pause’ in Gurbani) online spiritual class for teenagers.” — Mandeep Pahwa, director, Mukat Pipes Ltd
Repetition of the last word of the preceding sentence as the first of the next is an anadiplosis – Roopa Banerjee “Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.” — Yoda, legendary Jedi master in Star Wars These lines have made an indelible imprint on fans of the epic sci-fi movie franchise Star Wars. The message is strong and deeply philosophical but the repetition of the last word of the preceding sentence as the first of the next adds emphasis and aids recollection. This repetition, in which the last word of one clause or sentence is repeated as the first word of the following, is an anadiplosis. An effective literary device, anadiplosis is used liberally in literature, films, television shows and political speeches. Another famous example from the movies is: “Strength through purity, purity through faith.” — Chancellor Adam Susan in V for Vendetta. In political speeches too, anadiplosis is popular. For example: “Tonight, we are a country awakened to danger and called to defend freedom. Our grief has turned to anger, and anger to resolution.” — US President George Bush, in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attack on New York. Or, the famous lines of Jesse Jackson: “Don’t you surrender! Suffering breeds character; character breeds faith; in the end faith will not disappoint. You must not surrender….” addressing the 1988 Democratic National Convention. Anadiplosis allows for some relaxations in its usage. One needn’t compulsorily start the next sentence with the last word of the preceding sentence. The same word can be used early in the next sentence. For instance, “Once you change your philosophy, you change your thought pattern. Once you change your thought pattern, you change your attitude. Once you change your attitude, it changes your behaviour pattern and then you go on into some action.” — Malcolm X, American Black Power leader. There are myriad lullabies and folk songs which use anadiplosis to explain a chain of events. The poem For the Want of a Nail illustrates this brilliantly: “For want of a nail a shoe was lost. For want of a shoe a horse was lost. For want of a horse a rider was lost. For want of a rider the battle was lost. For want of a battle the kingdom was lost. And all for the want of a horseshoe nail.” The same technique is used in the famous lullaby Hush, Little Baby: “Hush, little baby, don’t say a word, Mama’s gonna buy you a mockingbird. If that mockingbird don’t sing, Mama’s gonna buy you a diamond ring. If that diamond ring turns brass, Mama’s gonna buy you a looking glass.” And so it goes on, using the object of the earlier line as the subject of the next. The legendary playwright William Shakespeare was a master in the use of anadiplosis. The most famous example is from the bard’s historical play Richard II when the eponymous king observes: “The love of wicked men converts to fear; That fear to…
Professionally trained and experienced coaches can work wonders in improving peer relationships, leadership and management skills of their clients – Paromita Sengupta Against the backdrop of growing awareness of the benefits of coaching in all spheres of life and a huge global market valued at $3 billion (Rs.20,998 crore), executive coaching has emerged as an accepted — even expected — practice across corporates in 21st century India and abroad. Professionally trained and experienced coaches can work wonders in improving peer relationships, leadership and management skills of their clients. Marshall Goldsmith, perhaps one of the best known executive coaches in the US, authored a book titled What Got You Here Won’t Get You There (2007). In this bestseller, Goldsmith argued that the skill-sets and capabilities which serve mid-level employees well, are unlikely to move them to senior positions in business and other organisations. According to Goldsmith, the capabilities of leaders are directly correlated with organisational effectiveness and profitability. That’s because employees prefer to follow leaders with clear perspectives, self-confidence and skills to navigate and lead during challenging times. Since these attributes are not commonplace, coaches are hired to develop these and other leadership qualities which enable individuals and organisations to succeed and prosper. Effective coaches possess higher than average understanding and emotional intelligence, have good listening, analytical and problem-solving skills and offer guidance without defaulting into instructions and directives. They must be empathetic and enhance the character, personality development, people management and leadership skills of their clients. Study programmes There aren’t any government regulations prescribing the qualifications required by executive coaches. However, corporates prefer hiring people who have professional certification. Therefore, it’s advisable to sign up for one or more internationally accredited six-12-month professional training programmes with institutes such as Coacharya in India and USA, Coach Training institute, USA, and Coach U which provide learners with mentors to demonstrate coaching techniques, ethics and core competencies. However, even though there are no eligibility criteria for qualifying as an executive coach, a minimum ten years of corporate experience, especially in the area of human resource development and/or people management is a prerequisite. Pay and perks Freshers entering this esoteric profession should be prepared to work pro bono for 6-12 months to acquire experience and build credibility. But a professional certified coach (PCC) with 10-20 years of corporate experience can expect to earn Rs.10,000-20,000 for a 90-minute session. The rates charged by executive coaches who have authored books on personality and leadership development are sky high. Professional profile “There is a huge global market ($3 billion) for executive coaches. With growing awareness of the benefits of guided self-discovery and personality development, a multiplying number of corporate leaders and organisations are hiring coaches for their young high-potential and seniorlevel executives to develop next level leadership skills and competencies,” says Ram S. Ramanathan, an internationally accredited and awarded master mentor coach. Ramanathan is also co-founder of the Chicago (USA) and Bangalore (India)-based Coacharya (estb. 2010). A mechanical engineering alumnus of the renowned College of Engineering, Guindy…
With skin rash listed as one of the symptoms of Covid-19, how does one distinguish between minor and infectious rashes? — Rajini Shri, Chennai Rashes are very common in children. They can be caused by numerous non-infectious conditions as well as viral and bacterial infections. Infective rashes are usually accompanied by fever. Viral infections such as measles, German measles, chickenpox, hand foot and mouth disease and Covid-19 cause skin rashes which usually surface on the palms and soles in addition to face and other parts of the body. These rashes don’t usually itch although eyes may redden. Some bacterial infections such as typhoid, streptococcus and meningitis also cause rashes. Many rashes triggered by infectious diseases such as measles, German measles, chickenpox and typhoid can be prevented with timely immunisation of children. Rashes caused by allergies tend to manifest suddenly and all over the body. They cause intense itching and are triggered by consumption of particular foods or contact with plants. Similarly, itchy rashes can occur with worm infestation. Children, especially school-going children, are prone to developing a parasitic skin infestation known as scabies which is highly contagious. Other innocuous but long-lasting rashes may be caused by warts (molluscum contagiosum) or pityriasis rosea. My advice is that you consult a physician/pediatrician if your child has a rash, especially if it is accompanied by fever. As a temporary relief measure, levocetrizine can be administered, in dosage of 1.25 mg in children aged up to two years, 2.5 mg for years 6-11 and 5 mg thereafter. The dosage is once per day. Calamine lotion and liquid paraffin applied externally can be antidotes. There are many types of masks available in the market — cloth, N95, disposable, herbal, etc. What do you recommend for a family with young children? — R. Kamatchi, Coimbatore The coronavirus is transmitted through droplets when an infected person laughs, talks, coughs or sneezes. Depending on the force of expulsion, the droplets can travel a distance of 1-3 meters and infect others through the mouth and nose. A face shield can prevent deposition and ingestion of these droplets. N95 masks offer the highest level of protection against Covid-19 infection, followed by surgical grade masks. Ideally masks should be changed daily. They are expensive, often have layers of plastic, are not biodegradable, in limited supply, and uncomfortable to wear. However any face covering, even a scarf, offers some degree of protection. Cloth masks should ideally consist of two rectangles of tightly woven cloth 25×15 cms in size and T-shirt masks should also have two layers. Masks should be tight-fitting and worn over the nose and mouth (not on the forehead or under the chin). Double layers help to remove particles of 0.3-1.0 microns in diameter, the typical size of viruses. Handkerchiefs and bandanas are not tight-fitting enough. Hold the mask by its two ends while putting it on or taking it off. Cloth masks should be washed regularly. Masks are not advisable for children under the age of two. While exercising,…
During the past three months and still continuing lockdown, my teenage son (14) has become very careless about personal grooming. He doesn’t comb his hair or brush his teeth regularly. He wakes up just in time to attend his online classes. How do I motivate him to practise basic personal hygiene? — Darshina Moorthy, Mumbai During the turbulent adolescence phase when teens are striving for independence, they tend to often push and challenge boundaries set by parents/adults. My suggestion is that you discuss this issue calmly with him in a non-judgemental and respectful tone. Basic hygiene rules include showering every day or every other day; using a deodorant or antiperspirant; brushing teeth twice a day and, preferably, flossing daily and changing underwear every day. These rules are a guide and can be tailored to suit your son. If your teen has oily skin or hair, a daily shower might be necessary. If his skin is dry, then bathing every other day is acceptable and even preferred because too much bathing strips away the skin’s natural protective oils. Good dental hygiene is also important to prevent tooth cavities and bad breath. Therefore, discuss the social acceptance perspective of personal grooming. Also you can motivate him by allowing him to select his preferred brands of personal care products. My four-year-old has just begun attending online classes but every time we turn on the laptop and she sees her teacher’s face, she starts to cry. How do we help her overcome her fear? — Brinda T, Chennai The lockdown is a difficult time for all, especially youngest children deprived of outdoor play and social interaction. It’s natural for them to feel anxious and frustrated about being locked in 24/7. Unfortunately they are unable to verbalise their emotions as their language skills are still developing. In the case of your daughter, perhaps she associates seeing her teacher with something she finds difficult and struggles to adjust with e.g. online learning or perhaps she misses her teacher and friends and watching her teacher makes her nostalgic about happier times. The simplest way to find out what’s wrong is to ask her and give her enough time to formulate her thoughts and put them into words. Choose a time when you’re both relaxed and not interrupted by household chores. If she is struggling with online classes, discuss with her teacher about ways and means you can support and motivate her to adjust to this new mode of teaching-learning. Since I have started working from home, my two children routinely interrupt my work including video meetings with complaints and demands. They never go to their father, who is also working from home, with any complaints or when they are hungry. I am beginning to get frustrated and often yell at them. How do I get them to respect the boundaries of my home office? — Rashmika Majumdar, Kolkata I understand your situation — it’s difficult and exhausting to juggle working from home, household and child care duties.…
The teen years are a period of intense physical, psychological and emotional changes and adolescents experience intense emotional turmoil, highs and lows – Mini P. and Arundhati Nath The Covid-19 pandemic induced national and state lockdowns, which mandate social isolation, physical distancing and stay-at-home 24×7, are playing havoc with the mental health of children, adolescents and adults. According to a recent study titled ‘The Psychological Impact of Quarantine and How to Reduce it’ published in the globally respected medical journal Lancet (March 2020), an assessment of quarantine and isolation in precedent pandemics, indicates high prevalence of “emotional disturbance, depression, stress, low mood, irritability, insomnia, post-traumatic stress symptoms, anger and emotional exhaustion,” in people of all age groups. But adolescents are especially vulnerable. The teen years are a period of intense physical, psychological and emotional changes and children experience swings of emotional turmoil, high and low. A recent study titled ‘Covid-19 Pandemic-related Anxiety in Teenagers’ conducted by the department of psychiatry, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh (PIMER), indicates that adolescents tend to experience emotions very intensely. “Having teenagers confined to their homes with 24/7 parental attention/supervision can create intense irritation as they are not used to such situations,” says the study’s lead author Swapnajeet Sahoo. The study cites the case of an 18-year-old girl with no past or family history of mental illness who reported to the PIMER emergency services with symptoms of anxiety. The young woman narrated that she usually spent all day on social media platforms to learn about how the health and livelihoods of people are affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. This daily routine resulted in her experiencing palpitations, breathlessness, sweating, and dryness of the mouth. Even after she began to avoid the news and social media, if she accidentally heard any news related to the pandemic, her anxiety levels would escalate with anxiety episodes increasing to 3-4 times a day. She is now under expert supervision plus medication and supportive psychotherapy. This case is illustrative of the condition of millions of adolescents around the world, who are experiencing prolonged state of physical isolation from friends, teachers, extended family, and community networks. They are reporting increased levels of stress, anxiety and depression. “Social isolation is overwhelming. I can’t believe the flood of negative thoughts I get through the day during the lockdown. It’s frustrating and depressing to not meet with friends, go to college, and most important, to miss my daily tennis practice sessions. To top it all, my parents simply don’t understand that it is not okay to be stuck at home for months. They believe I am overreacting,” laments Divyashri Thapa, a first year engineering student in Pune. A. Chinmayee, clinical psychologist at the PeopleTree Marga, Bangalore, advises adolescents to “consciously engage in unwinding activities to ease tension and stress”. “High levels of stress and anxiety can severely affect the physical, social and emotional health and wellbeing of adolescents. The simple practice of unwinding can release stress and relax and rejuvenate the mind.…
A relaxing massage is a great way to bond with your infant. Here is why (and how) you can make massage an integral part of your infant’s daily routine. – Gayathri Kumar Before a massage Right place. Select a room in the house which is draftfree. Ideally choose a sun-lit room and place a clean mat/ towel on the floor for the massage. A table or bed is also suitable. Right time. Good time for a massage is before or after a bath. If your infant is fussy during any particular time of the day, shift the time of the massage session accordingly. A good nighttime massage also ensures deep sleep. Right oil. If you are giving the massage before a bath, I recommend bath oils such as coconut or olive. The best after-bath massage oils are almond and other branded baby oils. They are easily absorbed by the skin and not too greasy. Good quality baby lotions and absorbent creams are equally beneficial. Right posture. Newborns are comfortable when cradled on the lap (tailor sitting) or when placed in the crevice of outstretched legs. Older infants like eye-to-eye contact with the mother during a massage and thus show a preference for lying down facing the mother. You should make sure you have back support and seated comfortably for a hassle-free and calming massage session The massage Step 1. Remove the infant’s clothes and pour oil into the palm of your hand. Step 2. Start with the feet. Hold one foot and milk the leg in smooth, successive movements. Alter between fast and slow movements depending on her preference. Move from ankle to legs and ride up to the thighs. Next hold the leg upright and do the squeeze and roll movement. You can count, sing or just talk to her as you massage. Finish off the legs by doing short thumb pressing moves with your hand encircling the limbs. Step 3. Move on to the abdomen. Slide your entire palm and fingers in circular motion working downwards from ribs to the bottom to the abdomen. Use short clockwise circular moves to massage. Step 4. Next move on to the chest. For the chest, slide both hands from the centre to the sides and back again. Step 5. Rub arms and hands just the way you did her legs. Begin from the arm and finish off with the palms and fingertips. Step 6. Massage the back next. Draw circles on the baby’s back along the spine with the pads of your thumbs. Massage the back from the top to the bottom and back again in firm finger and hand strokes. Step 7. Lastly, massage the face. Most infants don’t like their face to be massaged vigorously. So save small circles, light pats and finger tip strokes for the face and forehead. After a massage Wrap the infant in a towel and gently wipe off excess oil or lotion. Dress her and breast or bottle feed if she’s hungry. Finally, rock…
Impassioned debates about the efficacy of the online learning model, online pedagogies, cyber safety, adequacy of screen time and effects of excessive digital gadgets usage on children’s physical and emotional well-being are raging in the media especially social media, WhatsApp groups and Zoom meeting rooms – Jayalakshmi Vaidyanathan, Mini P. & Cynthia John My child is two years old, and yet she has to sit in front of an iPad for two hours every weekday learning rhymes and numbers. It angers me but then my wife tells me we have paid Rs.1 lakh as annual fee for the toddler programme and this is the only way the preschool can justify the fees charged — Parent’s complaint on social media Every day my son sits before a laptop for eight hours attending online classes. The school management says this is necessary to complete the year’s academic calendar, despite the government mandating a four-hours per day limit for online classes. This excessive screen time is taking a toll on his eyesight — Sania Fatima, Chennai-based homemaker and mother of a class V student Online classes are not the same as physical classroom periods. Though teachers are doing their best to explain lessons in online classes, my daughter, who is in class VIII, is experiencing difficulty in understanding concepts. I have had to step in, research and explain them to her. This is becoming very difficult as I have to also put in a nine-hour-day working from home, in addition to completing household chores — Manisha Singh, HR professional, Mumbai The rampaging Covid-19 pandemic has infected 936,000 citizens and claimed 24,309 lives across the country (July 15). Moreover, it has forced lockdown of all education institutions including preschools and schools since early March, recently extended to July 31 with every likelihood of it being extended to end-August. Meanwhile for middle class India, preschool to Ph D education has moved to the online mode in a big way. School managements, teachers, parents and students are struggling to adjust to this new digital teaching-learning medium. As teachers labour to rewire traditional classroom curriculums and pedagogies to suit the online medium, impassioned debates about the efficacy of the online learning model, online pedagogies, cyber safety, adequacy of screen time and effects of excessive digital gadgets usage on children’s physical and emotional well-being are raging in the media especially social media, WhatsApp groups and Zoom meeting rooms. For the first time in a century since the Spanish flu outbreak of 1918 disrupted global education, the school has pervaded homes and parents are grappling with this black swan event. During the two months past in particular, thousands of parents hit by job and income losses because of the national lockdown, and their representative associations have petitioned state governments to prohibit private school managements from collecting tuition fees of the March-July quarter and to defer payment of admission and advance tuition and other fees payable for the academic year 2020-21. They are also arguing for lower or nil fees…
Unsupportive parenting has several negative health implications for children, says a study conducted by Loma Linda University Adventist Health Sciences Center, USA. The study found that the telomeres — protective caps on the ends of the strands of DNA — of subjects who considered their mothers’ parenting style as ‘cold’ were on average 25 percent smaller than those who reported having mothers with ‘warm’ parenting style. Shorter telomeres are a measurable biomarker of accelerated cellular aging and increased disease susceptibility in adult life. “Telomeres are often described as a genetic clock. Now we know that as early life stress increases, telomeres shorten and the risk of a host of diseases increases, as well as premature death,” says lead author Raymond Knutsen, associate professor at Loma Linda University School of Public Health. “The way someone is raised seems to tell a story that is intertwined with their genetics,” she adds.
Women have an innate ability to increase levels of anti-inflammatory T cells which keep blood pressure down, says a recent research study conducted by the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, USA and published by Hypertension (June). Known as Tregs, the cells are naturally associated with lower blood pressure levels and minimal organ damage. Therefore women — before the onset of menopause — tend to record lower blood pressure levels than males. “Based on study of this and other models, the ability of females to maintain or upregulate T regulatory cells is critical to their ability to maintain lower blood pressure,” says Dr. Jennifer C. Sullivan, lead researcher and professor in the department of physiology at Augusta University. According to Dr. Sullivan, when confronted with multipronged stimuli to drive up blood pressure, including a high-salt diet, women are better equipped to keep their pressure down by increasing levels of T cells that selectively dial back inflammation.
Poor sleep for five consecutive nights can negatively affect an individual’s emotional processing, causing behavioural and neurofunctional changes, says a recent research study published in the Journal of Sleep Research (April). The study was conducted by University of L”Aquila, Italy researchers who examined the effects of five nights of sleep restriction (only five hours per night) on emotional reactivity in healthy people. According to study lead author Daniela Tempesta, participants were asked to evaluate valence and arousal of 90 images selected from the ‘International Affective Picture System’. Participants whose sleep was restricted for several nights in a row perceived pleasant and neutral pictures negatively. The results provide evidence that inadequate sleep for five or more consecutive nights alters the evaluation of pleasant and neutral stimuli, imposing a negative emotional bias. “Considering the pervasiveness of insufficient sleep in modern society, our results have deep implications for daily life, as well as clinical settings,” says Tempesta.
Most children infected with Covid-19 do better clinically, compared to adults. This is indicated by a 26-country review compiled from 131 studies and published in EClinicalMedicine (June), a journal affiliated with The Lancet. The largest systematic review to date of children and young adults infected with Covid-19, the review found that 19 percent of children diagnosed with Covid-19 had no symptoms and 21 percent exhibited patchy lesions in lung X-rays. The most frequent symptoms among children, similar to the adult population, were fever and cough. “Our data is compiled from 131 studies and included 7,780 patients who span the pediatric age spectrum,” says study senior author Alvaro Moreira, assistant professor of pediatrics at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. Moreira says that the number of children with excellent outcomes surprised the research team. “Although we are hearing about severe symptoms of the disease in children, this occurs in very rare circumstances,” she says. The review concluded that only a small number of child patients had multisystem inflammatory syndrome which paralleled the extreme forms of Covid-19 which afflicts adults.
The feature on developing computational thinking within children was interesting, relevant and informative (PW June). The ability to think logically and problem-solve is a 21st century skill which all children must develop to succeed in this new tech-intensive AI age. The story shared some very useful insights and strategies to develop computational thinking within youngest children through non-computer activities such as puzzles and games. Saras Mathur Delhi Timely & sensitive story The June cover story ‘Prudent parenting in the lockdown era’ was a fine example of timely and sensitive reporting. While the lockdown restrictions are being relaxed in many cities, we are many months away from returning to the pre-Covid normal. Covid-19 cases are spiking in all major cities especially in Delhi and Mumbai. There is constant anxiety within households about family members contracting this dreaded virus. Also, with schools and colleges closed, family schedules have gone awry. Children are locked indoors 24×7 and are bored and frustrated with no play and socialising. This is a very challenging time for parents. They have the dual responsibility of keeping children meaningfully engaged all day and supporting them emotionally and mentally through this troubling pandemic. Jyoti Aggrawal Mumbai Follow your heart for lockdown parenting Thanks for your cover story ‘Prudent parenting in the lockdown era’ (PW June). It gave some very useful advice to parents to confront parenting challenges unique to this once-in-a-century pandemic and lockdown age. As for many parents across the world, the past four months have been the most challenging for me personally and I want to share with your readers some important parenting lessons learnt during this period. First, do not expect too much of yourselves. Understand that no child is perfect and no parent either. Lowering overriding expectations can help cope with the lockdown challenges better. Second, everyone is ready and waiting to render advice on best ways to parent children in the lockdown era. Though their intentions may be good, it can get overwhelming. Follow your own lead. Don’t stress about not getting things right all the time. It’s time for the entire family to slow down and parents to cut some slack. Smitha Paul Bangalore Parenting athletes not a cakewalk My 13-year-old son plays tennis competitively. His training regimen includes four hours of rigorous exercise and play practice strictly monitored by his coach. It was enlightening to read fitness instructor Sneha Arora’s essay about the dangers of teens over-exercising. It’s important for parents to be in regular contact with their child’s coach and question/ understand training regimens. Many coaches give students nutritional supplements to boost performance which sometimes can adversely affect children’s physical and mental health. The lockdown has been tough on my son. With practice sessions cancelled, he is frustrated and annoyed. He does watch online videos and exercise at home, but it’s not the same. I am trying to keep him motivated. Being a parent of an athlete is no cakewalk! Rita Parmar Ludhiana Excellent child health advice Thank you for the excellent child…
The Covid-19 pandemic has severely disrupted education of 1.6 billion children around the world. Never before have so many children been out of school at the same time. In India since early March education institutions from Kg-Ph D including the country’s 1.5 million schools, have been closed to arrest the spread of the invisible virus with the result that 256 million children have been out of school for almost four months. Even as state governments summon the political will and budgetary investment required to provide digital learning to children enroled in 1.2 million public schools, the majority of the country’s relatively privileged 375,000 private schools have made a quick switch to online learning to ensure learning continuity for children. However this transition to online teaching-learning hasn’t been smooth. For the first time in a century, since the Spanish flu outbreak of 1918 disrupted education globally, the classroom has pervaded homes and parents are grappling with this sudden virtual intrusion. Impassioned debates are raging on social media networks, Whatsapp groups and Zoom meeting rooms about the efficacy of online learning, teacher preparedness, cyber safety, how much screen time is too much and the adverse effects of excessive digital gadgets usage on children’s physical and emotional well-being. Simultaneously, numerous parents associations are demanding school fees reduction/waivers citing the economic crisis and job losses triggered by the national lockdown. These demands and debates have reached government corridors with state governments rushing in with notifications and circulars directing private schools to waive/reduce school fees and imposing time limits for online classes’ delivery. Fortunately, in several states the courts have stayed many of these ill-considered government circulars. In our cover story this month we shine a spotlight on the hot-button subject of online teaching-learning which is agitating parents’ and educators’ communities countrywide. With Covid-19 infection rates spiking to new levels every day, parents are beginning to adjust to the new reality of home-based online teaching-learning. A galaxy of educators and parenting experts interviewed for the story address their problems and apprehensions while advising them to take a collaborative rather than confrontational approach with schools and teachers, in the best interest of children. Also check out our Adolescence story on ways and means parents can enable teens to cope with lockdown depression and Early Childhood feature on how (and why) parents can integrate massage into their infant’s daily routine. Moreover our highly-qualified columnists, the UK-based parenting expert Sue Atkins and well-known pediatrician Dr. Gita Mathai answer parents’ queries ranging from managing children during the lockdown and the efficacy of face masking against the coronavirus.
