Sruthy Susan Ullas interviewed former international tennis champs Gaurav Natekar and Arati Ponnappa on balancing parenting duties with work and the importance of sports education Gaurav Natekar is an Arjuna awardee, Asian Games double gold medallist and seven-time national tennis champion. Together with Mahesh Bhupathi, he manages multiple tennis schools across the country under the banner of Mahesh Bhupathi Tennis Academies. Natekar and his wife Arati Ponnappa, also a former tennis national champion and India’s coach for the junior team at Wimbledon 2017, and his father Nandu Natekar, the legendary badminton player, own Natekar Sports and Fitness Pvt. Ltd, a company that specialises in offering sports advisory and consultancy services to large corporations, state governments, among others. Together the Pune-based couple raise two sons — Aaditya (14) and Anshul (12) — who are also avid sports enthusiasts. What’s your parenting philosophy? AP: We were lucky to have parents who let us focus on sports over academics, which was very unconventional 25 years ago. As parents we follow the same philosophy — of giving our children the freedom to pursue their priorities in academics and sports and support them fully. Aaditya is keen on becoming a professional golfer and is enrolled at the Tarun Sardesai Golf Academy, Kolar, Karnataka. Anshul plays several sports such as football, but is not inclined to take it up as a career. We respect both their decisions. GN: Our mantra was that they should play some sport every day. We have explained that this will not only boost their physical fitness and emotional well-being, but the lessons learnt on playing fields will prove useful in whatever career they choose. But most Indian parents are focused on academics and don’t encourage their children to play sports. What is your advice to them? GN: My observation is that children who play sports tend to be smarter. Their concentration is better, their attitudes are more balanced and health/fitness is good. All children should play one or more sports, at whatever level. Even during exams, parents should encourage children to play for at least half an hour. There is no better stress buster. Moreover unlike two decades ago, there are several career options available in sports apart from being a sportsperson — in coaching, writing, commentary, management, marketing, sports medicine etc. Also every college has a sports quota for promising young sportspersons while foreign universities offer generous scholarships to talented athletes and sportspersons. How do you help your sons balance academics and sports? GN: Balancing academics and sports is not difficult. Children while away a lot of time after school hours on tech gadgets. Instead, they need to be encouraged to engage in a sports activity after-school hours followed by study time. AP: We tell our boys that academics is important not because it earns them a degree but because it gives them a broader world view. We have never demanded super grades from them. Therefore we’ve never had to do a balancing act. If a child is talented and wants to pursue a…
The Fazlani L’Academie Globale (FLAG) is a new-era international school sited in Mazgaon, a former Portuguese enclave in mid-town Mumbai. Its contemporary, child-friendly campus is designed by celebrity architect Hafeez Contractor. A wholly international K-12 school, FLAG is affiliated with the offshore Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE), UK and International Baccalaureate (IB), Geneva exam boards. Currently, this progressive outward-looking school has 592 students including 230 girls, mentored by 92 well-qualified teachers on its muster rolls. Established in 2007 by Dr. A.K. Fazlani, promoter-director of the Mumbai-based Fazlani Group, one of India’s top food processing, distribution and export conglomerates (annual revenue: Rs.2,000 crore), FLAG was promoted with the objective of nurturing national and global leaders with “love for life-long learning”. Although it was founded only 11 years ago, FLAG is ranked among Maharashtra’s Top 15 international day schools in the EducationWorld India School Rankings 2017-18. Dr. A.K. Fazlani, Chairman A pioneer businessman and philanthropist, Dr. Fazlani, awarded a Ph D in international business by Asbury University, USA, started a modest family business in tobacco and related products in 1971, which was developed into one of the largest tobacco export companies of India. In 1980, he promoted the Fazlani Foundation which has since registered nine charitable trusts focused upon education and health. In 2007, he promoted the state-of-the-art Fazlani L’acadamie Globale to provide students in the Mazgaon neighbourhood internationally benchmarked school education. “I believe the goal of life’s journey is not to arrive, but to keep pressing onward,” he says. Campus Infrastructure FLAG’s campus is designed to facilitate experiential and collaborative learning. The school’s five-storied building with a built-up area of 28,035 sq. ft features 30 student-friendly classrooms, art and music rooms, three science laboratories, and several designated spaces for co-curricular and extra-curricular activities. Co-curricular and Sports Education Students are encouraged to participate in a wide array of co-curricular and extra-curricular activities. The school is equipped with modern performing arts and sports facilities including dedicated art and music rooms, two multipurpose areas for roller skating, table tennis, chess and gymnastics. A neighbouring public sports ground is accessible for field games such as football, cricket and hockey. STUDENTS COMMENTS “At Fazlani L’ Academie Globale, I have learnt to overcome my inhibitions, and become expressive and confident. The excellent faculty ensures that the academic programme is delivered in an engaging and challenging manner to aid our learning and understanding.” – Aisha Tinwala, class XII “I distinctly remember my first day at FLAG — I was a shy, quiet and reserved student. Pushing me out of my comfort zone, and by encouraging me to try out new things, the school’s faculty has helped me grow into a confident and responsible individual. Opportunities such as being on the school’s newsletter editorial board and the Annual Day organising team enabled me to develop my communication and teamwork skills.” – Ambreen Shaikh, class XI Class I student Vedant Mistry won two gold and one silver medals in the Under-5 category in the 10th National Sendo Ryu Karate Tournament, 2015. The…
My daughter often complains of headaches. But she does not exhibit any accompanying symptoms such as cold or fever. Nor are they caused by hunger or playing under the hot sun. She is seven years of age and is an active child. Should I consult a doctor? — Tamara R, Chennai Yes, you need to consult a doctor. A recurrent headache needs to be investigated, especially if there is no obvious cause. The doctor will run some tests to ascertain the cause of her frequent headaches. Children can also suffer migraine. If so, it helps to begin early treatment to prevent persistent symptoms. My firstborn began to experience gassiness after I started him on solid foods at six months. I don’t use packaged baby foods but serve natural staples such as ragi, wheat and rice. I am now expecting my second child. Should I switch to organic baby foods available in the market for my second child? — Deena Thomas, Kochi ‘Gas’ or flatulence is intimately connected with diet. Avoiding certain foods may be the answer to your problem. Organic food is beneficial but not essential. Home-cooked food — whether organic or not — is the best solution to ease infants into eating adult food. Remember, infants need to be exclusively breastfed until six months old. Subsequently, the purpose of introducing solid foods is to get them to gradually eat from the ‘family pot’ when they are a year old. This is known as weaning. In the first few months of weaning, it’s important to introduce new foods gradually with around two-three weeks’ gap between new foods. Weaning can start with rice kanji or gruel. The purpose is to introduce her to new tastes — a few spoons per day will suffice. Gradually, other foods such as ragi, rice and dal combinations, vegetables, and fruits may be added at intervals so she becomes accustomed to a varied diet in the toddler years. The consistency of food also matters — from six-eight months, stick with puree/smooth gruels. After nine months, semi-solid foods can be introduced. Infants should not be offered hard food and snacks such as peanuts. They could choke on them. I am due to deliver my first child in the next few months and want to be prepared. Before I begin breastfeeding, are there any medications, foods or beverages I should avoid? Also, are there any food supplements to improve my breast milk? — Sanskriti Saxena, Mumbai The World Health Organisation(WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, followed by partial breastfeeding for two years. Paediatricians are unanimously supportive of breastfeeding because the evidence regarding its positive effects is mountainous. It benefits children’s immunity, nutrition, brain development and long-term health and well-being. Infants are born with natural reflexes which help them suckle. Thus, in the first few days, it is mostly about mothers getting ‘positioning’ of the baby right. Breastfeeding is a dynamic process — as the baby feeds, the mother lactates. All that the mother requires is a…
PW invited selected parents of Redbricks Early Years Centre and Redbricks School, Ahmedabad to share tips on preparing children to overcome anxiety in school “Encouraging dinner table conversations with our 10-year-old daughter Aanshi and seven-year-old son Ayan has worked wonders. This daily routine has encouraged our children to share their good and bad experiences without hesitation as they realise we are making an effort to hear them out despite our busy lives. Patiently listening to their problems helps us find potential solutions, and we try and involve our children in choosing one that he/she thinks will work best. We also believe relaxation through sport and other co-curricular activities is essential and encourage our children to actively participate in school sports, dance, art and music.” — Alpa Mistry, principal architect, Landscape Design. “I know some parents who are overprotective of their children, with disastrous results. Hence, I have taught my children — Ananya (5) and Priyansh (2) — to develop positive thinking in confronting their worst fears. Moreover, I have introduced in story tale fashion the practises of bullying, ragging and bad touch as issues that need to be reported immediately to adults and not suffered in silence. To motivate positive behaviour, I reward them with praise, a hug, sticker or even their favourite meal. — Vishakha Hemlani,homemaker “Our adult lives are full of anxious moments. These days even children aren’t spared stress. But I do believe parents have a critical role to play in helping children cope with anxiety/stress. Children absorb the reactions of their parents to stressful situations. Therefore it becomes our duty to implement stress management techniques of in our own lives. A peaceful home environment has truly helped my daughter Aanshi (7) and son Shaurya (4) to discuss freely their fears and anxities. Thanks to her grandparents, Aanshi has developed positive thinking skills which have helped her overcome anxiety to a great extent.” — Payal Kuntal Shah, people manager, Digicorp Information Systems Pvt. Ltd. “Most of us try to avoid stressful situations forgetting that avoidance doesn’t help relieve stress. In fact, it adds to it. Learning from that lesson, I advise my son Vyoam (5) to gather courage to face stressful situations rather than run away from them. We also encourage daily relaxation routines which include engaging in outdoor and indoor games. Simple games like Ludo or Snakes & Ladders can be great fun and help calm frayed nerves. Playing cricket has taught Vyoam to acknowledge failure and celebrate success.” — Bhairavi Dhoot, architect, Reasoning Instincts Architecture Studio. Also read: Enabling children to cope with pandemic anxiety
According to the famous American writer Mark Twain, Mauritius was made first and then heaven was copied after it. Known for its powder-soft, palm fringed beaches and translucent lagoons, the island is particularly attractive for Indian tourists because 75 percent of its population comprises ethnic Indians. A resplendent dot in the Indian Ocean, 2,400 km off the eastern coast of Africa, the Republic of Mauritius dominated by the tiny, volcanic island of Mauritius (2,040 sq. km) is a tourist’s paradise. The white, powder-soft, palm fringed beaches, spectacular coral reefs, and translucent lagoons of the four islands of the republic (St. Brandon, Rodriquez, Mauritius and Agalega), make Mauritius (pop: 1.3 million) one of the most scenically endowed island nations worldwide. To these marine charms add its imposing mountain ranges, cascading waterfalls, thick tropical forests, sugarcane fields and salubrious year-round climate. Little wonder that in his travelogue Following the Equator, the famous American writer Mark Twain was moved to remark: “You gather the idea that Mauritius was made first and then heaven, and that heaven was copied after Mauritius.” Unsurprisingly, after enduring economic hardship for a decade following the island nation’s independence from British rule in 1968, the socio-economic profile of this Commonwealth nation experienced a metamorphosis when its government, under Sir Sewoosagar Ramgoolam, took the decision to improve its infrastructure and develop the tourism industry. Since the early 1980s, Mauritius, which offers world-class hotels, night clubs, casinos, water sports, wildlife, deep sea fishing, shopping and other exciting leisure options, has transformed into a highly preferred holiday and tourism destination. The pleasant weather, unspoilt natural beauty and exotic beaches are the main attractions of Mauritius. The beaches and plush resorts are ideal for rest and recreation. And for those seeking action and enjoyment, there’s more than they can handle. Added to all this, its warm and friendly people, and the food and service in restaurants is superb. The island is particularly attractive for Indian tourists because 75 percent of its population comprises ethnic Indians with African Creoles, Muslims, French and Chinese who live and work in harmony, lending it a cosmopolitan charm. Languages spoken include English, French, Creole, Bhojpuri, Hindi, Tamil, Urdu, Telugu and Mandarin. The richness of Asian, European and African cultures is reflected in the variety of customs, religions and delectable cuisines that Mauritius presents to appreciative tourists. Mauritius has a long history of colonial rule. In 1598, a Dutch naval squadron under the orders of Admiral Wybrand Van Warwyck anchored in the Grand Port, the first port in the south-east of the island and named it Mauritius in honour of Prince Maurice Van Nassau, stadtholder of the Netherlands. But unlike the Portuguese, the Dutch stayed put until 1715, when a French expeditionary force took possession of the island, and established Port Louis as its naval base and shipbuilding centre. Thereafter, until 1767 the island was administered by the French East India Company after which French government officials took charge. During the Napoleonic wars, Isle de France became a base…
In the global gourmet industry, ‘black’ is trendy, with black velvet cakes, black coffee jelly, black macarons, black ice cream and black sushi rolls finding pride of place on banquet and dining tables. Some of these new-age black foods contain anthocyanins — pigments that lower the risk of cancer, diabetes and heart ailments. Health experts believe adding some black ingredients to your everyday diet can promote health and well-being. Black sesame, for instance, is rich in lignans that lower cholesterol, while fibre-rich black rice prevents constipation. And pepper and cloves are proven antidotes for colds and toothaches. Here are some recipes to help you add a little black goodness to your diet. Sesame seed squares Ingredients 5 tbsp black sesame seeds (kala til) 5 tbsp white sesame seeds (til) 1/4 cup thinly sliced almonds (badam) 1 tsp ghee 1/2 cup jaggery (gur) Preparation guide Roast sesame seeds for a few minutes over a medium flame. Cool and keep aside. Repeat with almonds. Heat ghee in a pan and add jaggery. Simmer till jaggery melts and caramelises and forms a hard ball when you add a drop of cold water. Remove from heat. Add the roasted sesame seeds and almonds and mix thoroughly with the melted jaggery. You may need to put off the flame during this process. Pour the entire mixture over a greased flat pan. Roll the mixture into thin sheets using a greased rolling pin. Let it cool. Then cut it neatly into square pieces. Store in an air-tight container. You can make 15 pieces. Health quotient. Black sesame seeds have anti-ageing properties, fight heart disease and cholesterol, and improve digestion. They are rich in vitamin B, zinc, iron, calcium, lignans and phytochemicals. Black rice and almonds Ingredients 1 cup black rice 2 tbsp butter 1/4 cup chopped onion 1/4 cup slivered almonds 1 3/4 cups water 1 chicken or vegetable stock cube, or fresh stock Preparation guide Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add black rice, onion, and almonds; cook and stir until lightly toasted, five to ten minutes. Add water and the cube or stock and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed. It should take 30 minutes. Makes four portions. Health quotient. Black rice is a gluten-free grain, making it a good choice for those allergic to gluten. It has more antioxidants than any other type of rice. In the ancient world, it was reserved for royalty. It is a whole grain, and contains dietary fibre and protein, making it far healthier than polished white rice. It slows down the absorption of sugar into blood, helping to prevent diabetes. Fig and chicken Ingredients 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper 1 tbsp olive oil 1 tbsp butter 3/4 cup chopped onion 1/2 cup chicken stock 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar 2 tsp soy sauce 1 ½ tbsp mixed herbs 1/2 cup finely chopped figs…
Ber or the Indian date fruit, also known as jujube, is filled with nutrients offering great health benefits – LUKE COUTINHO The funny-sounding jujube is one of the most ancient fruits known to mankind. Not only is it bursting with flavour, it is also a treasure house of nutrients. According to a 2013 study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, the jujube (ziziphus jujuba) grows in Europe, Australia, south and east Asia, especially the inland regions of northern China. Unsurprisingly, it has a special place in traditional Chinese medicine. In India, it is commonly known as ber and is available aplenty during the winter season. It’s eaten as a fruit, in dried or powder form, as chutney or after marinating it with salt. Regardless of how you choose to eat it, it’s a powerhouse of nutritive goodness. Its health benefits are not restricted to the fruit, but also its bark, roots and seeds which are extensively used in ayurvedic medicine. The leaves, for instance, are used to treat typhoid, the root to soothe a fever, bark to make eye drops, and seeds as medications for treating liver, heart and digestive tract ailments. Mine of minerals Jujubes are rich in active compounds such as flavonoids, triterpenoids and saponins that boast anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-tumour, anti-aging and sedative properties. Rich in antioxidants such as vitamin A, C and E, jujubes also contain the alkaloid sanjoinine which soothes anxiety and is a natural sedative. It is full of vitamin B as well and abundant in minerals such as magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and zinc. The Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry study says: “The fruit has a long history of usage as a fruit and remedy. Its main biologically active components are vitamin C, phenolics, flavonoids, triterpenic acids, and polysaccharides. Recent phytochemical studies of jujube fruits have shed some light on their biological effects, such as their anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, immune-stimulating, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, and gastrointestinal protective activities and inhibition of foam cell formation in macrophages.” Heart health Around 100 gm of jujubes contain 75 mg potassium, which is good news for people with high blood pressure. The saponins in jujubes help improve cardiovascular health by protecting myocardial cells and regulating cholesterol levels by binding excess cholesterol (LDL and triglycerides) and aiding its excretion. They also protect arterial walls from oxidative damage. However, those with high potassium levels should avoid this fruit. Brain boost Jujuboside A, a compound in jujube, can protect the brain from high levels of glutamate, which is dangerous in increased concentrations. It also plays a role in alleviating Alzheimer’s disease by reducing the toxic effects of amyloid beta plaques that are formed on brain cells. Extracts of jujube are known to improve memory and learning by stimulating nerve cell growth. Calming effect If you are looking for natural options to manage stress, consider jujubes. The saponin in jujubes has a calming and sedative effect on the nervous system and can treat insomnia. It does so by…
India’s ancient and once highly respected textiles and garment industries are experiencing a renaissance The nationwide buzz generated by the Lakme India Fashion Week staged in Mumbai annually, is an indicator that India’s ancient and once highly respected textiles and garment industries are experiencing a renaissance. Unlike in an earlier era when textile designing in India was a hereditary profession handed down from generation to generation, in the new competitive era when the textile and garment industries have to keep pace with ephemeral trends and preferences of the crystallising global market, there is a growing demand for professionally qualified textile designers. Some textile design professionals have already established themselves as haute couture fashion designers and their creations range from exclusive sarees to prêt-a-porter garments which are marketed in chic boutiques and mushrooming retail chain stores. Among them: Tarun Tahiliani, Rohit Bal, Ritu Beri, J.J. Vallaya, Abraham & Thakore, Malini Ramani, Manoviraj Khosla etc. These new generation fashion gurus have set their sights on national and global markets for their highly creative textiles and off-the-peg garments. Not surprisingly they are constantly looking for textile and garment designers endowed with creativity, resilience, self-confidence, and talent. Most textile design institutes of learning in the country require Plus Two as the minimum qualification. Thereafter aptitude tests which evaluate artistic ability, spatial perception, and aesthetic and colour sensitivity are administered to applicants. The selection process also evaluates attitude, motivation, and interest together with academic qualifications, general awareness, scientific, and technical aptitude. STUDY PROGRAMMES. The duration of study programmes in textile design ranges from two to five years. Polytechnics run by state governments as also private sector edupreneurs offer two to three-year courses in one or more specialised areas of industrial design including textile design (commonly offered by women’s polytechnics). Some art colleges offer specialisation in textile design as a component of their bachelor of fine arts (BFA) degree courses. Among them: • Sir J.J. School of Arts, Mumbai • College of Arts and Craft, Lucknow • Kala Bhawan, Shantiniketan • Lalit Kala Institute, Jabalpur • College of Art, New Delhi • Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi • Allahabad University, Allahabad • Apeejay Institute of Design, New Delhi • Pearl Academy of Fashion, Delhi, Jaipur and Chennai NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DESIGN. The most comprehensive study programme in industrial design (which includes textile design) is offered by the National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad. Christened the School Leaver’s Professional Education Programme (SLPEP), it is of five years duration during which students go through a mandatory foundation course followed by optional specialisations, one of which is textile design. NID has devised a three-prong admission programme. Initially it scrutinises application forms to evaluate factors such as motivation, interest, attitude, and perception for a career in design as revealed by applicants’ answers to questions set out in the form. After careful scrutiny, shortlisted applicants are summoned for an admission test which evaluates competence in mathematics, science, social studies (secondary school standard) and drawing/sketching. Applications for SLPEP are advertised in October, the written test…
Teach your children to break away from the use-and-throw culture by recycling used materials/waste generated at home. Educate them about the three R’s of waste management practice: reduce, reuse and recycle. Here’s a simple and creative way to start creating useful paper bags from old newspapers. Though made of paper, the bags are sturdy. It will also discourage your children from using plastic bags which despoil the environment. Encourage them to let their imagination take wing, and advise them to pack their birthday and other gifts for friends in them. Materials Newspaper Craft glue Scissors Cardboard Jute rope Flat paintbrush Water Bowl Methodology Making strips Take one sheet of newspaper. Fold in half. Apply craft glue and stick the edges with Fevicol. Fold again and apply craft glue and fold, once again. Cut 15 newspaper strips. Weaving the bag Place eight of the newspaper strips on a table longitudinally. Take one more and place it horizontally, weaving it in and out of the other pieces as shown in picture (2). Place a weight at the top. Move the horizontal strip upwards. Weave six more in an alternating fashion. Keep moving them upwards, close to each other. Adjust all the strips so that they are in a perfect line. Fold the protruding end of the first horizontal strip (on your right) inwards and paste it, leaving the end open. Continue doing this for alternate strips. Now fold the protruding ends of the alternate strips (on your left) inwards and paste them as shown. Flip the whole thing over carefully. Now fold all the protruding ends inwards and paste. The ends now can be cut off in line with the first strip and pasted firmly. Turn the woven mat so that the open edges are to your right and left. Fold it upwards in half. Now fold the strips sticking out alternately. Tuck the edges into the next strip and stick (8). When all are done, cut a piece of cardboard three inches wide to fit the bag, and push it in, to create a base. Fixing the handle Push a thick length of jute rope into the gap and knot it inside the bag several times. Cut it to the right length and do the same on the other side. Make a handle for the next side as well. Final touches Mix craft glue and water to get a paint consistency. Use a brush to paint the inside and outside. This will protect the bag from yellowing, and wear and tear. The bag can hold objects such as books and fruits.
Can you say ‘Good blood, bad blood’ really, really fast? Try it or challenge your friends to do so. You’ll arrive at some hilarious, tongue-twisting variations! Such groups of words or sounds, typically of an alliterative kind, difficult to pronounce quickly and correctly, are called tongue twisters. According to Encyclopaedia Britannica, “tongue twisters are often passed on for generations, becoming a rich part of folklore”. Tongue twisters are challenging to enunciate, especially when repeated rapidly. With their repetitive use of similar sounds, words and syllables, they can trip up even the most articulate individuals. Popular tongue twisters The most popular tongue twister is ‘She sells sea-shells on the sea-shore’. This verse is said to be inspired by the life of English fossil collector and palaeontologist, Mary Anning (1799-1847) credited with the founding of modern palaeontology. The poet Terry Sullivan wrote this verse in her memory: She sells seashells on the seashore, The shells she sells are seashells, I am sure, So, if she sells seashells on the seashore, Then I am sure she sells seashore shells. ‘Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers’ is another popular tongue twister which has a real-world origin as well. Pierre Poivre (1719-1786) was a French pirate and horticulturalist. He used to steal from spice stores to grow them in his own garden and make exotic spices affordable to common people. (Cooking spices were called “peppers” in those days). Why tricky phrases are good for you Tongue twisters are used by speech therapists to help those suffering speech difficulties. In 2013, scientists from the University of California, San Francisco, published a study in the journal Nature, highlighting how tongue twisters helped the brain (through neural codes) enable smooth speech. Tongue twisters are also a great way to practice and improve pronunciation as well as fluency. The frequent alliteration involved helps learners of English to improve their accent. And, the repetition of the single sound due to alliteration is good practice for pronouncing diverse words the right way. Therefore, tongue twisters are used by actors, politicians, and public speakers to perfect their speaking skills. They also effectively help rhythm and tone, adding fun and humour to an otherwise dull set of drills. Levels of difficulty Sometimes, tongue twisters in regional dialects are tougher than in standard English. So, the difficulty level depends on how proficient the speaker is in that dialect. In standard English, an especially complex and convoluted example has been coined by American author William Poundstone: ‘The seething sea ceaseth and thus the seething sea sufficeth us.’ The high use of alliteration in this sentence makes it very difficult to repeat it rapidly. Here’s an enjoyable exercise that you can try with your family and friends. Recite these lines below as fast as you can. Get a stop watch and score sheet, and have some tongue twisting fun! Many an anemone sees an enemy anemone. Freshly-fried flying fish. A skunk sat on a stump and thunk the stump stunk, but the stump thunk…
My son, who is in class VIII, is anxious all the time. He worries about everything and is anxious if I am not home when he returns from school. Moreover, he keeps asking questions about death, poverty, crime, etc. Do we need to see a counsellor? — Sheela K, Chennai In adolescence children experience major physical, psychological and emotional changes, which cause anxiety. These bodily changes often make emotions regulation more difficult than at other ages. Most anxieties abate with lifestyle changes, and teens develop better routines for leisure and acquire problem-solving skills. However, your description of the problem requires immediate assessment by a qualified counsellor. Adolescence is also a time for onset of mental illnesses and therefore, assessment and effective counselling is urgently required. My four-year-old screams and cries every morning when I drop her off at school. As a working parent, this behaviour is emotionally draining and distressing. What should I do? — Michelle Kapoor, Mumbai Children between the ages of two and seven experience separation anxiety. Unfortunately, since our school system insists on admitting children in this age range, such reactions are routine, but need to be handled carefully. Children usually take about four-six months to adapt to new routines. Please ensure that your child gets a good rest every night, at least ten hours of sleep. Reduce screen time and encourage physical and wet sand play outdoors. Also ensure that the play involves other children as it enables social adjustment. Never use threats that emphasise your absence. For instance avoid saying: “If you do this, I will leave you in school or I will go away, or someone will take you away”. Young children take these threats very seriously especially when they are already experiencing adjustment problems in school. Also never lie to your daughter — always let her know where she is going and when you will pick her up from school. Make sure you keep your promises. Also, check whether her class teacher is using threats to make your child adjust in school. Make plans for activities that you will do together after school. It will help your child understand that you are always there for her. When she is in meltdown, don’t reason or lose your cool. Remain silent and calm, holding your child close. Children respond to touch and a calm parent better than anything else. My daughter is naturally left handed but her teachers forced her to write with her right hand. At age seven, she cannot write legibly, does mirror writing sometimes, and has difficulty memorising lessons. We have now asked her to use only her left hand. Please advise. — Vibha M., Bengaluru It is unfortunate that even in this day and age due to social and cultural pressures, left-handed children are forced to change hand dominance. It is obvious that your child is struggling because of induced confusion in the left/right hemispheres of her brain. This confusion is reflected in her learning outcomes. However, since she is already…
During the teen years, children experience emotional turmoil, highs and lows and are particularly vulnerable to peer and parental pressure. Parents need to exercise patience and perseverance and support children through this stormy period of emotional stress – Aarti C. Rajaratnam Adolescence is a period of intense physical, psychological and emotional changes. During the teen years, children experience emotional turmoil, highs and lows and are particularly vulnerable to peer and parental pressure. A research study conducted by the College of Health and Human Sciences at Purdue University, USA, says adolescence is “fraught with changes in emotion, cognition, relationships with parents, peers, and society”. It is a transition from childhood to adulthood — a period wherein your child is moving towards independence and carving out her own identity and personality. But in pursuit of creating a new identity and achieving independence, young people often develop what parents and teachers consider “problem behaviours”. This affects parents very deeply with many of them experiencing helplessness, frustration and anger because they are unable to guide their teens through this turbulent phase. Parents need to exercise patience and perseverance and support children through this stormy period of emotional stress. What happens in adolescence? An adolescent experiences bodily changes externally as well as emerging secondary sexual characteristics. Internally she experiences hormonal fluctuations. These physical changes combined with constant messages from popular media about the “perfect body” and peer pressure lead to many teenagers experiencing poor self-worth and body image issues. Consequently, it’s normative for teenagers to spend hours before a mirror trying to perfect an acceptable image to impress others, while at the other end of the spectrum some develop eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia. It is essential that parents and teachers don’t body shame teenagers with thoughtless remarks and unfair or derogatory comparisons that can aggravate feelings of helplessness, resentment and worsen the communication gap. A well-balanced diet and optimal exercise (250 minutes per week for girls and 350 for boys) helps to regulate hormones and behaviour. The adolescent brain undergoes tremendous changes at tremendous speed, as in early infancy. The only difference is that a toddler cries incessantly while an adolescent will question and/or defy authority. Risk as reward The teen brain equates risk with reward and this often leads to action without heeding consequences such as speeding and road rage, the foolish selfie in front of a moving train or doing things forbidden in school or at home. This is the time when adolescents frequently clash with authority figures. They also tend to disrespect rules, changing them to accommodate their whims, pitting them against parents and teachers who expect discipline and balance. In such circumstances, it’s advisable for adults to refrain from reacting impulsively with punitive correction but to respond empathetically. Help your teenager gain confidence and engage in problem solving without resorting to lecturing. Socially, teens gravitate towards peers. There will be “gang behaviour” even in the most normal teenagers. Forming, and participating in exclusive cliques, is very important for adolescents…
Good routines play a big role in building good habits which have their own rewards – Jayalakshmi Vaidyanathan “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” — Aristotle When ten-year-old Kiran comes home from school, she changes her clothes, has a snack and reads. After reading for an hour, she goes out to play with her friends. She returns after play to complete her homework and has dinner with the family. This routine of reading, snacking, playing outdoors, completing homework, the family dinner and finally, going to bed feeling fulfilled and happy, contributes to Kiran’s positive behaviour, healthy self-esteem and reduced stress. By establishing a set routine and positive habits, Kiran is unconsciously developing good habits. American writer, coach and strategist Jan Stanley endorses the power of routines which develop good habits. “Start small for a fulfilling life,” she says. “Routine is one of the most powerful tools for developing good habits which last a lifetime and enable children to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives in adulthood.” According to Stanley, parents should help children to develop a routine, to encourage good habits — homework, sufficient sleep, hobbies, etc. The idea is to develop a healthy routine and build on it and, over time, they become good habits. To inculcate good habits in children, parents need to set a working example for children by modelling them. For instance, it is easier for a child to develop a reading habit, if parents have the habit of reading regularly and switching off electronic devices during the reading hour. This will encourage children to read or study without distraction. How a ‘habit loop’ forms In his best-selling book The Power of Habit, Charles Duhigg, investigative reporter and Pulitzer Prize-winner, says that every habit needs a cue, that makes behaviour unfold automatically. A cue can be a location, time of day, an emotional state, other people, or just a pattern of behaviour that establishes a routine. The next part is to make a routine habitual. In Duhigg’s own case, the urge to eat a cookie (biscuit) between 3 to 3.30 p.m was the cue. Nibbling the cookie while chatting with friends, became routine and later a habit. The last component of the routine-habit continuum is reward. To figure out what the reward of the cookie eating habit was, Duhigg conducted various experiments on himself, and realised the reward was not the cookie, but socialisation. Therefore, when he experienced the urge for a cookie, he got up and moved around and spoke to a friend for ten minutes. Soon, the urge to ingest a cookie completely disappeared. A cue transformed a routine into a good habit. Create new habits Similarly, children subconsciously develop routines, then habits for rewards. If paper-folding and origami designs get a child appreciation from her family, then she will continue with the activity. The habit of creativity will become ingrained. Rewards will flow from creativity. There is no dearth of studies which show that…
Single fathers face more than double the risk of early death than single mothers and partnered parents, says a new study published in The Lancet Public Health (February). The study, conducted by the University of Toronto, highlights that single fathers tend to be older, with higher incidence of cancer, and prone to heart diseases. Poor lifestyle choices and stress are additional contributory factors. “Our research highlights that single fathers have higher mortality, and demonstrates the need for public health policies to help identify and support these men. We did find that single fathers tended to have unhealthier lifestyles, which could include poor diet, lack of exercise, or excessive drinking,” says lead author Maria Chiu of the University of Toronto. The research team tracked 40,500 people across Canada over 11 years. The subjects — including 4,590 single moms, 871 single dads and 18,688 partnered mothers — were, on average, in their early 40s when the study began. Nearly 700 died by the end of the monitoring period. The study found that single dads are more likely to be separated, divorced or widowed. Of the world’s 2.3 billion children, 14 percent, or 320 million, live in single-parent households. Genes influence snack choices Children develop poor snacking habits not merely because they are exposed to junk food or aerated drinks; their choices could be determined by their genes, reveals a new study published in the journal Nutrients (February). The study conducted by the University of Guelph, Canada, tracked the day-to-day diets of 50 preschoolers and found that one-third of their diets was made up of snacks. The saliva of the participants was also tested to determine their genetic taste profile. The study found that almost 80 percent of preschoolers surveyed possessed at least one of three potential genotypes which predisposed them to develop poor snacking habits. For instance children with the gene related to sweet taste preference, ate sugar-laden snacks and children with the genetic variant related to fat taste sensitivity consumed fatty, carb heavy snacks. “Kids are eating a lot more snacks now than they used to, and we think looking at how genetics can be related to snacking behaviour is important to understanding increased obesity among kids. This new research could help parents understand how their kids taste, and tailor their diet for better nutritional choices,” says Elie Chamoun, a PhD student at Guelph University who led the research study. Students learn science better online Web-based learning can help deepen science knowledge among middle school students, and ease the science literacy gap for underachieving students, according to a study published in the International Journal of Science Education (February). The study conducted by Fatima Terrazas Arellanes of the University of Oregon, USA, introduced four interactive online science lessons over computers/tablets to 2,300 students and 71 teachers in the US. While all participants improved their science knowledge, the improvements were dramatic in those who struggled with the subject. Students with learning disabilities improved 18 percentage points on assessments of science knowledge from pre-test…
Diapers cause skin rashes in the majority of infants and toddlers. Here are some pointers on how to prevent and protect infants from this painful affliction – K.P. Malini For latter-day parents, disposable diapers offer great convenience. But they have their drawbacks. Diapers cause skin rashes in the majority of infants and toddlers wearing them. A recent survey titled Diaper Rash! The Bottom Line on Baby Bottoms conducted in the UK found that a third of all diaper-wearing infants have suffered a rash at some point in time. Diaper rash is skin irritation in the covered area. The medical term for this common affliction is diaper dermatitis or chafing dermatitis, which is not limited to infants and can occur in persons of any age who wear diapers. According to the Mayo Clinic, USA: “Diaper rash is often related to wet or infrequently changed diapers, skin sensitivity, and chafing.” The symptoms are usually reddening of the skin, and in some cases, erosions on the superficial skin layers. If left untreated, the rash may develop pustules or small blisters. “In newborns and infants, diaper rash is very common,” says Dr Sribiju, consultant dermatologist at the Kerala Government Health Services, Kozhikode. “The incidence of diaper dermatitis is estimated to be between 7-35 percent with peak incidence at 9-12 months of age,” he says. Causes of diaper rash The common cause of the nappy rash is irritation or chafing due to friction of the diaper with the skin. It is triggered by a combination of factors, the most significant being prolonged contact with urine and faeces because of delay in changing diapers, skin maceration and in many cases, secondary infection with bacteria or candida albicans. “Nappy rash can be caused by a combination of wetness, frictional damage, impervious diaper coverings and increase in skin pH,” explains Dr Sribiju. A 2017 study by the Tehran Medical Sciences Branch of the Islamic Azad University, Iran, indicates a link between breastfeeding and diaper rash. The study found that when breastfeeding stops, the chances of infants suffering nappy rash increase. Moreover, early introduction of cereals and diet changes in the first year of life tend to accelerate the incidence of rashes, reports the study. Some research studies indicate that some commonly used baby care products can prompt skin irritation. A study published in the journal Paediatrics (January 2014) says that some children develop allergic contact dermatitis because of sensitivity to methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone (MCI/MI), a combination preservative used in wet wipes. Therefore, using wet wipes to clean a baby’s tender bottom can be counter-productive in treating diaper rash. Other triggers include teething, diarrhoea, common colds, longer sleep periods at night, antibiotics, switching from breast milk to packaged baby foods, changing detergents and so on. For instance, some infants may be allergic to a new detergent used to wash cloth diapers triggering skin reactions. Infections, metabolic and nutritional deficiencies, and child abuse are other triggers. Types of diaper rash Mild. You will see pink or red spots on the inner surfaces of the…
I am a parent of a teen constantly trying to keep up with her mixed emotions. I would like to read more stories on how parents can deal with the many challenges adolescents are facing in the Google age. Pornography, substance addiction, sexual abuse, bullying, body shaming, etc make us fear for our teens. Rima Sen Hyderabad Online parenting caution Your February cover story on Google parenting has hit the nail on the head. It’s the new normal for young parents to go to the Internet to find answers for all questions, rather than ask family elders and friends for advice. As a young grandmother I confess that on several occasions, I too have surfed the Internet to provide quick answers to my daughter-in-law’s questions about my new-born grandchild. But I must warn all parents to approach the Internet with caution because there is a lot of fake information out there. I am a doctor, and was aghast when my son phoned me to say that my granddaughter had a life-threatening disease. He was on his way to the paediatrician but had checked all her symptoms online and it looked like she was in a grave condition. Fortunately, the doctor reassured them that all is well. So, please don’t blindly trust online information, particularly in health matters. Dr. Jesse Jose Kochi Unchecked pollution crisis Delhi… there’s just too much smoke in your belly! I am so distraught at the deplorable condition of India’s capital city, the city of my birth and childhood. I’ve lived in Delhi for the past 30 years. But last year, after I had my twins, my husband and I are seriously considering moving to another city. The pollution levels are dangerously high and we fear that we won’t be able to give our children a normal and healthy childhood. I blame the government for this sorry state of our national capital. Unchecked vehicular traffic and industrialisation have plunged the nation’s showpiece capital into this sorry mess. All parents must put pressure on government to find lasting solutions to the problem of air, water and noise pollution. Otherwise our children’s present and future health will be destroyed. Jassi Arora New Delhi Save the future of our children Thanks for highlighting the dangers of environment pollution to children’s health (EW February). Living in Bengaluru, I fear this city is going the Delhi way and it won’t be far before this garden city becomes a dangerous place to raise children. Rapid urbanisation and industrialisation have resulted in the death of our gardens and lakes. The heavily polluted and frothing Bellandur lake is a sad example of things to expect in the future. I believe that as parents we must take keen interest in environmental issues, as our children will bear the brunt of pollution and environmental degradation. If we don’t want to see our children suffering from respiratory disorders, cancer or worse, I urge every parent and grandparent to educate their children to do more to…
