ParentsWorld March 2019 Archives

The Heritage School, Rohini, Delhi

Founded in 1999 by Delhi-based real estate developers N.C. and Manit Jain, promoter-directors of Conscient Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd, the Heritage Group comprises three K-12 day schools in Delhi NCR — Vasant Kunj, Gurgaon and Rohini. Together, they have an aggregate 6,000 students and 600 teachers on their muster rolls. Promoted in 2002, the objective of The Heritage School, Rohini (THS-R) is to develop “a learning community where each child is encouraged to realise her highest potential”. Sited on a four-acre green, eco-friendly campus in the new upmarket suburb of Rohini in north-west Delhi, within a short span of time THS-R has established an excellent reputation and is ranked among Delhi’s Top 10 co-ed day schools in the EducationWorld India School Rankings 2018-19. All three Heritage schools, affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), offer innovative experiential learning pedagogies and are ranked among Delhi’s top co-ed day schools. Heritage School Leaders Manit Jain, Director An alumnus of the Harvard Graduate School of Education and co-founder and director of the Heritage Group of schools, Manit Jain has successfully mainstreamed experiential learning pedagogies in the group’s three schools. A committed proponent of 21st-century teaching and learning, he has led from the front with hands-on involvement in developing and nurturing the Heritage schools in Delhi NCR, into a revolutionary initiative in K-12 Indian education. He is also founder of ‘I am a teacher’ — a postgraduate teacher training diploma programme launched in 2014 to upgrade teacher training standards in Indian education Neena Kaul, Founder Principal Neena Kaul has over 27 years’ teaching experience and has played a pivotal role in the development of the school into a hub of education excellence and experiential education. THS-R’s intensively researched Prakriya experiential pedagogy equips students to design and devise solutions for complex challenges confronting the community and country. THS-R’s intensively researched Prakriya experiential pedagogy equips students to design and devise solutions for complex challenges confronting the community and country Campus Infrastructure The school’s ergonomically designed four-acre campus with a built-up area of 77,826 sq. ft hosts 88 IT-enabled, climate controlled classrooms, a 500-seats amphitheatre, seven science laboratories, four computer labs and excellent sports facilities. THS-R students topped the CBSE class XII exams in history, business studies and accountancy in 2015 Co-curricular and Sports Education THS promoter-directors are fully committed to providing students with a holistic learning environment in which they develop hearts, bodies and mind. The school offers a 97,000 sq. ft playground for field sports and dedicated design labs for carpentry, pottery, media and graphic design. FACULTY SPEAK “The bedrock of any relationship is trust, and belief in each others’ abilities is the core of every bond in the Heritage family — among teachers, among students and especially between teachers and students.” Anurag Advani, Alumnus/Faculty, Secondary Programme “The Heritage School never lets excitement, curiosity and the spark to learn extinguish within us. Every step is towards new learning and discovery that shapes students into more evolved individuals.” Prerna Bharadwaj, Faculty, Primary…

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Shangri-la mystique of Sikkim

This stamp-sized state in which tradition and modernity, spirituality and materialism, the familiar and strange, misty mountains and meadows blend seamlessly, offers a unique vacation experience Way up in the clouds in the north-east of the subcontinent, flanked by Nepal to the east and Tibet to the North is the Himalayan Shangri-la of Sikkim (pop.540,000). The charm of this mountain state is its sweeping, uplifting vistas of white peaks glistening on the horizon, mist-shrouded green hills sliced by the frothing River Teesta, magic lakes hidden in lush forests, brooding Buddhist gomphas (monasteries) perched atop rocky heights, meadows carpeted with wild flowers, deep gorges and frozen glaciers. Nature has endowed Sikkim with all this and more. For the nature lover and the adventure sports enthusiast, it’s a near ideal destination. Colourful history Originally the home of the Lepcha hill tribe, from the 15th century onward Sikkim experienced continuous immigration from Tibet. In the 16th century the Nyingmapa order of lamas (monks) consecrated Phuntsog Namgyal as the first Chogyal (king) of Sikkim. When the kingdom was established its jurisdiction extended to a part of eastern Nepal, Tibet’s Chumbi valley, the Haley in Bhutan and the Terai region of India down to the plains including Darjeeling and Kalimpong. In 1849 the British annexed the entire area between the Sikkimese border and the Gangetic plain and declared it a protectorate in 1861. After independence British treaties with the kingdom of Sikkim devolved upon New Delhi even as the majority Nepalese-origin population began demanding democratic elections. In a referendum in 1975, 97 percent of the population of Sikkim voted for union with India as a consequence of which it became the 22nd state of the Indian Union. Currently, the state is ruled by the Sikkim Democratic Front which has acquired a noteworthy reputation as the most environmentally-conscious state government of the country. In this stamp-sized state, famous for the awesome Mt. Kanchendzonga (aka Kanchenjunga), the third highest peak in the world which the Sikkimese regard as their presiding deity, tourism and agriculture are the mainstay of the economy. For administrative purposes the state is divided into four districts — north, south, east and west. The east, with Gangtok as its capital, is the seat of government and is also the most easily accessible point from where most tourists begin their expeditions. The best time to visit is between March and late May and between October and December. “We first visited Sikkim about ten years ago and since then we have been back six or seven times, drawn by the beauty of the mountains as well as the warmth and natural courtesy of the people. Despite the influx of tourists, Sikkim still has the distinctive charm of a mountain kingdom. The landscape with green cultivated hillsides to the rocky terrain of the Chhangu Lake and Nathu La; the monastries, such as Rumtek, are richly decorated; road connections are fairly good; the food especially the local soup, thukpa, is outstanding. What more could a traveller want,” exudes…

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India’s nascent homeschooling revolution

Homeschooling has gained popularity in the new millennium with a small minority of households abandoning the rote learning and exam-obsessed mainstream school system to provide their children individualised primary-secondary education at home to develop their creative, critical thinking and problem solving cognitive capabilities – Arundhati Nath & Summiya Yasmeen Supriya Joshi is the poster mom of India’s nascent homeschooling movement. In 2016, her daughter Malavika, who was withdrawn from Dadar Parsee School, Mumbai when she was 12 years of age and schooled at home for six years by Supriya and her husband Raj, especially the former, a postgrad in computer applications, was admitted into the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston — consistently ranked among the world’s Top 3 engineering and technology universities worldwide. Invited to deliver a TED Talk in 2018, Joshi attributed Malavika’s success to her having learned to learn, rather than to pass exams. “There is something seriously wrong with India’s school system, in which students are forced to study only specified subjects, play prescribed sports, and mingle with children in their own age groups in strictly controlled environments. Such regimentation is contrary to the natural growth cycle of children. That’s why we took the decision to homeschool both my daughters, who on the contrary, were encouraged to study subjects of their choice including filmmaking. They were also encouraged to take up any sports and developed their social skills by meeting people of all age groups. Homeschooling is difficult, but it also promotes family bonding and great happiness,” says Joshi, also a founding member of Swashikshan (‘self-teaching’) — Indian Association of Homeschoolers (IAH, estb. 2012) which has a membership of 1,000-plus parents countrywide, who have switched to homeschooling their children. With minimal government and establishment attention paid to education — India (Centre plus states) spends a mere 3.5 percent of GDP on public education cf. 6-10 percent in OECD and ASEAN countries — even the country’s estimated 320,000 private schools, overwhelmingly preferred by the middle class, are caught in a time warp and tend to favour rote learning (rewarded by most of the country’s 34 school-leaving examination boards) in dull, homogeneous, usually overcrowded classrooms. Consequently, a multiplying tribe of well-educated upper and middle class parents, aware of the importance of innovative, new-technologies enabled education, are switching to homeschooling their children. In the United States — inevitably the pioneer of homeschooling — an estimated 2.3 million children are being educated at home with this number growing by 7-12 percent annually. According to Brian D. Ray, president of the Salem (Oregon)-based National Home Education Research Institute, homeschooling “may be the fastest growing form of education in the United States”. Although homeschooling is not unknown in India — the ancient gurukul schooling system was based on parent/teacher-led education in home environments — it has gained popularity in the new millennium with a small minority of households abandoning the rote learning and exam-obsessed mainstream school system to provide their children individualised primary-secondary education at home to develop their creative, critical thinking and…

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Summer holidays & family bonding

PW invited parents of Gurukul The School, Ghaziabad, to share insights on how they promote family bonding during the summer holidays “We believe healthy family/extended family relationships reflect the true strength of nuclear families. And what better time than summer holidays to rekindle this bond! Almost every summer, we plan family get-togethers at our home, make surprise visits to our hometown or organise outings for the children. My son Panini (class I) is overjoyed and looks forward to reuniting with his grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins in the summer. We hold the love and admiration of family members in very high esteem.” — Somya Bathla, teacher, Gurukul The School “Drawing from our own childhood experiences, summer vacations are meant to be blissful together times. There’s a saying the family that travels together stays together. Therefore we ensure summers are all about visiting grandparents or planning a family trip near nature to break away from the humdrum of daily routine. Our children — nine-year-old Nirvan (class IV) and seven-year-old Navya (class I) — look forward to bonding with their aunts, uncles and cousins even though it often means putting digital gadgets away. The children enjoy storytelling with their grandparents the most. I believe bonding with family enriches social skills and emotional well-being.” — Iti Bhardwaj, activity in-charge, Gurukul The School “We become nostalgic when we recall our childhood full of so many special memories with grandparents and cousins. Therefore we want to ensure our five-year-old son Atharv (KG) has an equally happy childhood. To this end, we take time off to plan an annual vacation to Lucknow where his maternal and paternal grandparents live. We want our son to enjoy the company of grandparents and develop the qualities of care, concern and empathy. Atharv also looks forward to visiting his aunts, uncles and cousins who live in Mumbai. The best part is that he is so involved in interacting with family members that he forgets all about television and playing video games, which is so comforting.” — Piyush Dixit, senior manager, VVDN Technologies “The word ‘family’ itself resonates a sense of comfort and security. Our family including my mother, wife, nephew and son Prathamaditya (class X), look forward to weekly holidays, long vacations and festival days. Early morning nature walks, lazing over breakfast, late evening conversations, storytelling and uninterrupted laughter make our long vacations with immediate and extended family members a perfect time to bond and unwind.” — Pankaj Bhardwaj, general manager, sales and operations, Taylor and Francis Group (Academic Publishing)

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Packing a healthy lunch box

Among the many child rearing duties and tasks of parents, arguably one of the most perplexing and stressful is preparation of the daily school lunch box. That’s why perhaps most parents — already juggling work and family — opt for convenient ready-made alternatives including fried, processed and sugary foods. For instance to beat the morning rush, a growing number of parents give children a breakfast comprising sweetened flakes, sugary cereals, bread-butter-jam, milk etc. For lunch too, it’s becoming common for parents to give children pocket money to purchase food from school canteens, which are notorious for selling junk items such as deep fried samosas, bread pakodas, chips and white bread sandwiches. Meanwhile there’s a plethora of studies which say that fast foods enhance the risk of digestive ailments, obesity, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes in children, apart from adversely affecting their cognitive development. Given that dietary habits formed during childhood, tend to be carried over into adult life, it’s important for parents to take pains to prepare home-made tiffin comprising fresh and healthy ingredients for their children. Simultaneously it’s important to educate children about the benefits of healthy eating. Some unhealthy and harmful processed foods which parents and caretakers commonly pack in children’s lunch boxes are: Cream biscuits: loaded with artificial sugars and preservatives White bread sandwiches: refined flour is difficult for children to digest and are devoid of nutrients Potato chips: high in fat and preservatives Hot dogs: refined flour with cornflour and excessive flavouring Tetra pack juices: filled with artificial flavours, sugar and additives Ready-made cakes: excess sugar, fats, emulsifiers and preservatives Chocolate milkshakes: too much sugar, additives and flavouring Children’s growing bodies need food rich in protein, fibre (carbohydrates), healthy fats, calcium, iron, folate, Vitamin A and C. Make sure you include dark leafy greens (rich in iron, antioxidants and other micronutrients), colourful berries (vitamin C), dark yellow/orange coloured food (vitamin A), nuts and seeds (healthy fats) in children’s lunch boxes. Since children get easily bored with a repetitive menu, you will need to take pains to vary the food and also make it visually attractive. Here are some easy-to-make healthy alternatives which parents can quickly rustle up for the school lunch box: Homemade egg frankie (use multigrain flour) — rich in protein and fibre Moong dal pancakes with green chutney — protein, fibre, vitamin C and iron Sprouts with multigrain chapati — protein, fibre, Vitamin A and C Grilled paneer or soya chunks roll — protein and calcium Stuffed vegetable paratha with yogurt or homemade dip — vitamin A, vitamin C, fibre, protein and calcium Oats patty with chutney — protein, fibre, vitamin A, vitamin C and antioxidants Oatmeal smoothie with nuts — protein, fibre, healthy fats and calcium Yoghurt with trail mix (a combination of granola, dry fruits, nuts) — Calcium, protein, healthy fats, fibre and antioxidants (Afaaf Shaikh is a nutritionist at Dr. Muffi’s Digestive Health Institute (DHI), Mumbai, promoted by the well-known bariatric surgeon Dr. Muffazal Lakdawala) Also Read:Ensuring fuss-free mealtimes

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Carrot Soup Recipe

Carrots are a good source of beta-carotene, fiber, vitamin K, potassium and antioxidants. Turmeric contains curcumin, which has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Adding a pinch of pepper to the turmeric activates the curcumin. Ingredients » 3 carrots » 1 large onion » 3 minced garlic cloves » 1 inch finely grated fresh ginger » 2 inch finely grated fresh turmeric » ¼ tsp pepper » 4 cups (950ml) vegetable stock » 1 tbsp lemon juice » 1 packet coconut milk » Olive oil » Black sesame seeds (for topping) Preparation guide » Dice the onion and carrot into small chunks, and grate the ginger and turmeric finely. » Heat a small amount of olive oil in a large stock pot and saute the onion for three minutes until translucent. Now add the minced garlic, turmeric, pepper and ginger and saute for another one minute. » Next, add the carrot and saute for two minutes. Then add the vegetable stock and simmer for 20-25 minutes until the carrot is cooked through and soft. » Use a stick blender to blend the soup until it’s smooth. Stir in the lemon juice. Serve with a swirl of coconut milk and black sesame seeds. Study table snacks Here are some easily available brain foods which can be kept handy for late nights. A snack not only boosts energy but gives students a break. Nuts. Keep a stock of protein-rich cashews, almonds, groundnuts and other nuts. Dry fruits. Dates, dried cranberries, figs and other dry fruits, are all rich in fibre and nutrients. Cucumber. Sliced cucumber is an excellent alternative to eating carb-packed chips. Hard-boiled eggs. High protein and low calorie, eggs provide stamina and instant energy. Also read: Button mushroom treats Russian salad Protein-rich meals

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Chicken breast with capers

Mushrooms boost the immune system. Capers, which are pea-sized flower buds, contain vitamin K and iron. They are not easily available but can be ordered online or bought from specialty shops. Coconut and olive oil promote healthy brain function. Ingredients » 2 boneless butterflied chicken breasts » 1/3 cup almond flour (roast and dry grind) » 5 tbsp olive oil » 6 tbsp coconut oil » 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice » 1/2 cup chicken broth » 1/4 cup capers » Salt, pepper to taste » 2 packets sliced mushrooms Preparation guide » Season chicken with salt and pepper. Pour almond flour in a bowl and coat chicken with it, shaking off excess flour. » Pour two tablespoons of coconut oil and three tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet and cook over medium high heat. When the mixture starts to sizzle, add two pieces of chicken and cook until brown, flip and cook the other side until browned. Remove and transfer to a plate. » Add two more tablespoons of coconut oil and another two tablespoons olive oil. When this mixture starts to sizzle, add two more pieces of chicken and brown both sides as with the first batch. At the same time, add mushrooms and saute for five minutes. Remove pan from heat, and add chicken to the plate. » In the same pan, add the lemon juice, stock, and capers. Bring to boil, transfer the chicken to the pan and simmer for five minutes. Remove the chicken to a serving dish. Add the two remaining tablespoons of coconut oil to the sauce and whisk. » Pour sauce over chicken.

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Energising brain foods

It’s exams time and children are burning the proverbial midnight oil preparing for the critically important final exams. During this period, students’ meals should be rich in carbohydrates, omega 3 fatty acids and anti-oxidants. It’s also important for children to drink plenty of water, and avoid caffeine and aerated drinks. Here are three recipes which will energise children during those long hours of brainwork. Avocado chocolate bites This recipe contains three ingredients the brain loves — bananas, avocados, and eggs. Avocados contain monounsaturated fat, which ensures healthy blood flow and in turn healthy brain functioning. Bananas provide carbohydrates and eggs the proteins, vitamins and minerals. Ingredients » 1 cup avocado flesh (ripe) » 1 banana » 1 egg » ½ cup cocoa powder » 2 tbsp honey (optional) » Dark chocolate chunks, to taste » ½ tsp baking soda Preparation guide » Preheat oven to 350°F. » Combine banana, avocado, and honey in a bowl. Mix until smooth. » Add the egg, baking soda, and cocoa powder, and blend. » Stir in the dark chocolate chunks, broken into bits. » Drop spoonfuls of cookie dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. » Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the centre is set. » Let it cool for five minutes on the baking sheet, then transfer it to a cooling rack. » Consume immediately or store the cookies for up to five days in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

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Busting 10 myths about childhood diabetes

According to World Diabetes Atlas 2015 published by the International Diabetes Federation, India has 70,000 children suffering from Type-1 diabetes, second only to the US (80,000), writes Dr. Atish Laddad Over the past decade, there’s been an alarming increase in the number of children diagnosed with diabetes. According to the World Diabetes Atlas 2015 published by the International Diabetes Federation, India has 70,000 children suffering from Type-1 diabetes, second in number only to the US (80,000). Diabetes mellitus in children is predominantly Type 1 (pancreatic cells produce little or no insulin); though incidence of children being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes (the body cannot effectively use insulin) is becoming increasingly common. Juvenile diabetes is the outcome of a complex combination of genetic and environmental factors. The symptoms associated with childhood diabetes are almost similar to those experienced by adults — weight loss, fatigue, frequent urination and excessive thirst. Some symptoms specific to children are abdominal pain, headaches, and behavioural problems. 10 common myths about juvenile diabetes Myth1. Excess sugar consumption causes diabetes in children Fact. The common public perception is that the foremost cause of children developing this ailment is consumption of foods high in sugar content. But it has been medically proven that the most common form of diabetes in children — Type 1 — is caused by damage to cells producing insulin in the pancreas. This damage is not related to consumption of sugar. However, intake of excess sugar in daily diets can lead to weight gain, which, in turn, can increase the risk of diabetes in children. Myth 2. Children diagnosed with diabetes should avoid exercise and physical exertion Fact. A completely unfounded supposition. In fact, exercise is vital for children’s healthy growth and development, regardless of whether they are diabetic or not. On the contrary, regular exercise is critically important for diabetic children as it helps them manage their weight, boosts cardiovascular health, and facilitates regulation of blood sugar levels. Juvenile diabetics have the same capability to play and excel in sports as other children. Myth 3. Insulin cures diabetes Fact. Insulin is not a cure for diabetes; it only helps to manage the condition by getting glucose out of the blood and into cells, where it’s utilised to keep blood sugar levels under control. Myth 4. Diabetes is contagious Fact. Not at all. Diabetes is not a communicable disease. Patients suffering from diabetes inherit genes that make them prone to developing this ailment. Myth 5. Only overweight children are in danger of developing diabetes Fact. Obesity is just one of several factors that increases the risk of diabetes. Juvenile diabetes is the result of a combination of factors such as family history, race, ethnicity, and age. Myth 6. Children with diabetes may outgrow the condition Fact. This is untrue; they cannot outgrow diabetes. In the case of Type 1 diabetes, pancreatic cells that produce insulin have been destroyed. They will never be able to produce insulin again. Therefore Type 1 diabetics need to use insulin…

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Events managers are hot property

Suddenly events management firms and start-ups are sprouting across the country and event managers are in great demand From organising birthday bashes, wedding anniversaries to college festivals, India’s newly arrived and fast-multiplying tribe of events organisers or managers (as they prefer to be known) have entered the corporate world with panache and pizaaz. Suddenly events management (EM) firms and start-ups are sprouting across the country and events managers with the required skills and experience are hot property in a languishing jobs market. Events management as a vocation has its origins in in-house events— including beauty pageants. But circa the mid-1980s corporate managers became aware that they could target small and specific markets and build up customer goodwill and patronage by organising fun-filled brand promotion events. Hitherto companies tended to focus solely on above-the-line marketing, spending on traditional mass media such as television, radio, and print advertising to promote their brands and products. Of late, however, they are venturing beyond mass media to win friends and influence people. Consequently promotion budgets have jumped as high as 40 percent in some cases. Because carefully orchestrated events facilitate direct interaction with captive consumers, a growing number of corporate managements are providing for them in their sales promotion and marketing budgets. Whether they are glittering product launches, silver anniversaries of hit films, sponsored cultural events, fashion shows, or big fat weddings, they all have to be professionally organised down to the smallest detail. This requires a lot of backstage work and professional expertise. Qualities required for success in this yet-developing profession are ability to work long hours, to take spot decisions with little room for mistakes, intelligence, and creativity. Another requirement is working knowledge of civic, criminal, and other laws to stay the heavy hand of the police and municipal authorities to protect the interest of clients. STUDY PROGRAMMES. During the past few years several institutes have sprung up to offer courses in events management. Although a good degree and on-the-job training are adequate, a diploma in events management is an additional advantage in the present scenario. Events management is offered as a subject in most advertising and public relations courses. Though not comprehensive, they provide an overview of the subject. Specialised courses are offered in several institutes which have recently sprung up in Mumbai and other parts of the country. You can opt for a course in events management if you are equipped with a bachelor’s degree or even a Plus Two certificate. Information about formal events management training programmes in other parts of the country is not readily available. However few among the high profile institutes offering formal EM training are: • National Institute of Event Management (www.niemindia.com), Mumbai, with branches in Pune, Ahmedabad, Odisha, Jodhpur and Kolhapur, offers a 11-month part-time diploma in events management; 11- month part-time PG diploma in events managements; and a 11-month diploma in advertising, media, and events management • College of Events & Media (http://coemindia.com), Pune, offers a PG diploma in events management, diploma in events…

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3 good books

Notes for Healthy Kids… and for parents too!! by Rujuta Diwekar Westland; Price: Rs.350 The cover sets the tone for this book with its second sub-title that says “milk, veggies and dal are not compulsory”. And that’s just one of the many food myths that celebrity fitness guru and nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar busts in this well-written book. Notes for Healthy Kids encourages parents and children to cultivate a healthy relationship with food. For instance she counsels parents to encourage children to eat local and seasonal food without worrying about carbs, fats and proteins. For most parents who whinge about their children not eating enough, she advises against force-feeding. Other useful advice is to involve children in kitchen activities which will teach them to appreciate good, healthy food. Diwekar also stresses that Indian sweets and snacks are superior in nutritional content to processed western sweets. According to her, ghee and several other ingredients used in Indian cooking are healthy, but maligned in the media because they don’t have Western endorsement. Malala: My story of standing up for girls’ rights by Malala Yousafzai with Patricia McCormick Hachette India; Price: Rs.299 On October 9, 2012, a young Pakistani school girl Malala Yousafzai was shot at and injured by Taliban gunmen for asserting her right to education. Since then she has emerged as an international youth icon and champion of girls’ education. In 2014 she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her persistent advocacy of the right of girl children to education. The book begins with Malala’s happy childhood in Pakistan that changed dramatically when Taliban gunmen showed up at her school. Thereafter, the memoir takes readers on a roller-coaster ride of emotions ranging from horror to hope, sadness and relief. Malala’s story is inspirational and reinforces the belief that one person can change the world. Comments Washington-based author and journalist Patricia McCormick, who spent several hours interviewing Malala for the book: “It’s a story of a girl like any other, who wants to meet her friends at school, to learn to prepare for a better future, and to have fun.” Not just grades: Schools that educate differently by Rajeev Sharma Penguin Random House India; Price: Rs.599 Not Just Grades is an account of the country’s most progressive schools that focus on the holistic all-round development of children. According to Rajeev Sharma, professor at the Ravi J. Matthai Centre for Educational Innovation at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, India’s education system has become obsessed with grades-based performance, to the neglect of holistic development of children. In this critique of India’s rote-centric education system, Sharma beams a spotlight on ten schools across the country which have pioneered innovative initiatives to promote all-round education, inclusivity, autonomy of teachers, etc. Not Just Grades gives parents valuable insights into India’s K-12 education system and will perhaps inspire them to demand accountability and improvement from their children’s schools. Mini P.

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Cityscape for your living room

Participating in creative DIY (do it yourself) activities with children is a great way of bonding the family. Every child will remember special moments spent with parents making something wonderful. While starting a DIY project with your child, shun the mobile phone and other distractions. This will demonstrate that focusing on completing an activity/task often necessitates switching off gizmos and forsaking all distractions. If your child is too young to safely handle scissors, you will need to do the cutting and chopping. But please encourage her to air her ideas. To create a cityscape, first, experiment with stock/chart paper to see if it is stiff enough to stand steadily. If not, try a different variety. Card sheets in different textures are available in the market — they will add beauty to your cityscape. Materials Cardboard box Stiff white card/chart paper Scissors (large and small) Craft glue Blue paper Method Draw a rough sketch of a landscape with houses, trees and clouds on the chart paper. Cut off the upper part of the cardboard box, so that the back is left intact, and the front is cut to a low level, making the first layer. Cut out wavy patterns for the landscape, as seen in the picture, and paste them three centimetres apart, behind each other, creating different layers, adding dimension. Fold strips of paper sideways and cut out house shapes and building shapes. Use small scissors to cut out doors and windows. By cutting folded paper, you can ensure that all the buildings are symmetrical. Cut out clouds, mountains, trees, bushes and other shapes. Paste blue paper at the back of the scene. Arrange the cut-outs, and paste different ones on different layers, to form a lovely white scene. To create a dramatic effect, buy a string of serial lights in white or different colours. Place the string in between the layers. Switch on the lights and watch the magical effect! Once you have made one cut-out scene, you can try out different ones. You could make a forest, a garden, an underwater scene, a candy land, or whatever your creativity prompts. Shweta Krishnan

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In the name of EPONYMS

Eponym is a name/ noun formed after a person. It helps us remember important people in history who have contributed to shaping the human condition Roopa Banerjee It’s common practice to honour a person by naming a street/institution after her, but highly uncommon to have a word named after an individual. Eponym is a name/ noun formed after a person. For instance, the Elizabethan age pertains to Queen Elizabeth I of England. Elizabethan is an eponym. The earliest recorded eponym dates back to the second millennium B.C, when the Assyrians named each year after a royal official appointed that year. Similarly, fifth-century Athens is known as The Age of Pericles, named after its most famous statesman. In the modern world, many political trends were christened after politicians who set them. For example, Stalinism and Thatcherism. Many places — towns, cities or countries — are eponymously named. For example, Vancouver is named after explorer George Vancouver. Medical jargon boasts many eponyms with several diseases/viruses named after the site where they were discovered. These are known as geographic eponyms in medicine. Some examples: Bombay Blood group, Jaipur Foot and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Plaster of Paris was named after the French capital when medicos there began using plaster to mend broken bones. Numerous verbs have also been derived from historical figures with their names linked with their ideas/innovations. The words boycott, chauvinist, quisling, and sandwich originate from personal names (Charles Boycott, Nicholas Chauvin, Major Vidkun Quisling and John Montagu, fourth Earl of Sandwich). Not surprisingly, famous people are eponyms for their innovative apparel. Cardigan is eponymous with the Earl of Cardigan and raglan is derived from Lord Raglan who saw action in the Crimean War. Unsurprisingly literature has inspired eponyms. It’s common to find eponymous terms in literary criticism such as Dickensenian for melodramatic poetry and eccentric characters, and Proustian for personal memories. Similarly, mythology has spawned many an eponym such as someone having the Midas touch, an Achilles’ heel and being Herculean or a Venus. Scientists are often honoured for their innovations through linking their names with products — Rudolf Diesel, Alessandro Volta, and James Watt, or to processes (galvanism) or calculus (algorithm). Likewise, botanists have plants named after them, such as magnolia and poinsettia. Alzheimer’s disease is named after its discoverer Dr. Alois Alzheimer, a German physician, who presented the case history of a 51-year-old woman who suffered from a rare brain disorder. Avogadro’s number is named after early 19th-century Italian scientist Amedeo Avogadro, who, in 1811, first proposed that the volume of a gas (at a given pressure and temperature) is proportional to the number of atoms or molecules irrespective of the nature of a gas. It is common to have companies named after their founders. For instance when we refer to the eponymous founder of Ford Motor Company, we mean Henry Ford. Words are formed in many ways. Eponyms help us remember important people in history who have contributed to shaping the human condition. Exercise Which of…

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“Focus on children’s emotional and mental well-being”

Dipta Joshi interviewed celebrity psychiatrist Dr. Anjali Chhabria on the importance of parents providing stress-free home enviroments to ensure children’s emotional well-being Mumbai-based Dr. Anjali Chhabria is a highly-respected psychiatrist with over 25 years experience and founder of Mindtemple, a counseling centre. An alumna of Grant Medical College, Mumbai, Dr. Chhabria is author of Death is Not the Answer (2016) and has conducted numerous workshops on suicide prevention, parenting and stress management for adolescents, parents and professionals countrywide. Mother of daughter Rhea (27) and son Aryan (23), she has won nationwide acclaim for advocating parental focus on children’s mental health and emotional well-being. What is your parenting philosophy? It is important to understand that children have minds of their own. Parents must respect children’s opinions and choices. I encouraged my children from young age, to make their own choices and assume responsibility for them. Decision making is a critically important life skill and the earlier children learn it, the better. How did balance your psychiatry practice and parental duties? Initially it was a great challenge to strike a healthy work-life balance. I was torn between spending quality time with my children and also being available to my patients. I would schedule my appointments during school hours, and rush home before they returned. Now with both my children grown up, I have more time for my patients. As a practicing psychiatrist and counselor, what would you say are the most common parenting problems and what’s your advice to resolve them? I believe that most parent-child conflicts arise from insufficient communication between parents and children. This is routinely ascribed to the generation gap. However I believe that lack of effective communication leads to misunderstandings and conflict. The second major issue is unrealistic expectations parents and children have of each other. My advice to parents is to spend quality time with children and have real conversations and discussions with them. They need to focus on enabling their children’s mental and emotional well-being. This is a prerequisite to children succeeding in school, college, and the workplace. India’s exam-centric education system which promotes intense competition is also being increasingly blamed for parent-child conflicts… Examination success isn’t proof of academic competence. A good education must equip children with both academic and life skills which will help them face life’s challenges and lead happy and fulfilling lives. Schools need to focus on developing children’s socio-emotional intelligences by teaching them to cope with rejection, failure, management of time and resources, communication, empathy, and resilience. Parents are increasingly experiencing helplessness about children’s addiction to video games and social media. How can parents help wean children away from digital gadgets? They need make special efforts to engage children in discussions, debates and traditional board games, outdoor sports and non-tech activities and set ground rules for gadgets, gizmos and social media usage. It’s important to be consistent in enforcing digital screen time rules at home. What’s your take on complaints about millennial parents micro-managing their children’s lives and loading children with…

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Protecting children from heat-related illnesses

I have enrolled my children in an outdoor sports summer camp. As the camp is in the peak summer month of April, what can I do to protect them from afflictions such as heat stroke? — Vidhya Srinath, Bangalore Summer brings its share of problems. To protect your children from heat-related illnesses, here are some guidelines. • Encourage them to drink water at regular intervals. Better to provide them their own bottles and advise them to avoid drinking from shared receptacles. • Advise against sugary/carbonated drinks. • Children should be advised to take a water break every 20 minutes while playing in the sun. • Ensure they wear light-coloured, lightweight clothing of absorbent material to facilitate sweat absorption. • When outdoors, they should wear caps/hats to guard against direct sunlight. • They should take to a shade or go indoors when they feel dizzy, light-headed or nauseous. • Apply sunscreen lotion with SPF of at least 15. • Gastrointestinal infections are common in summer; encourage children to wash hands frequently, particularly before meal times. My 13-year-old daughter suffers severe lower abdomen pain on the first two days of her monthly menstrual cycle. Is there any way to reduce the pain?— Nilofer Fathima, Chennai Lower abdominal pain is common in the early months of menstruation after a girl child attains menarche. Since the first cycles are anovulatory, they tend to be irregular and may vary. Pain-relief medication can be taken as a short-term solution to relieve her distress. If abdominal pain worsens, it’s advisable to consult a gynaecologist. My four-year-old daughter catches colds very often. Since I believe in minimal medication, I rely on steam inhalation and salt water gargling as the panacea. But I’m worried that sometimes the infection may need further treatment. During a common cold, what symptoms necessitate a visit to the doctor?— Manisha Pandey, Lucknow A common cold and flu infection share similar symptoms. However flu symptoms tend to be severe. You should consult a doctor if your child is experiencing high grade fever, loss of appetite, breathing difficulty, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, urination difficulty, and extreme fatigue. My eight-year-old son is up-to-date on his immunization schedule. Are there any vaccinations needed or recommended after the age of eight? According to the immunisation schedule, there is a DTAP booster is due at 10 years of age. Are there any other important vaccines I’m missing out? — Lakshmi Shankarraman, Chennai If you have followed Indian Academy of Paediatrics’ schedule of immunization for your eight-year-old son, then there are no other vaccines recommended at this stage. However, at age 10, your son has to be immunised with DTAP/TD and HPV vaccines. I assume he has already been immunised with the typhoid vaccine. (Dr. Prabha Punith is a practising paediatrician at the Little Steps Children’s Clinic, Bangalore)

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How can I help my daughter make new friends?

My six-year-old daughter is cheerful and friendly with children in the neighbourhood. But in school she is shy and reserved and doesn’t make new friends. Is there any way I can help her overcome her introversion?— Vinola Thomas, Trivandrum Young children need time to blend into a new peer group. Typically, a child’s development process involves solitary play, followed by parallel, associated and cooperative play. The way forward is to allow her more free play time with neighbourhood children in non-competitive and non-academic environments. Since schools are a formal academic environment, you need to give her more time to adapt. She may also be experiencing a ‘silent phase’ of language learning which is common when young children are introduced to the English language in school. My 12-year-old son often hangs out with friends at the local McDonalds and fast food joints. I’m worried about him picking up bad habits such as smoking and drugs. Since he is entering his teens, I don’t want to restrict his interaction with friends either. Please advise.— Shyla Dinesh, Bangalore For children peer interaction is like oxygen. You need to encourage it while setting ground rules. My advice is that you start an evening connection ritual with your son, when you discuss the day’s happenings. Please note this time should not be used for crisis intervention, judgements, snide remarks, advice and lectures. This is a deliberate effort as a parent to make time for two-way communication in a non-judgemental and relaxed context. This will encourage your son to freely share his problems and pressures with you. Also note that children observe and learn from parental behaviour. Therefore you need to role model a healthy social lifestyle which balances peer interaction with work and family time. I have three children — my twin boys are five and daughter is seven. The twins go to preschool for 2.5 hours every day. I am going bonkers managing them. The siblings squabble and often fight. I don’t have the support of grandparents either as they live in another city. I am exhausted by bedtime and tend to vent my frustration on my children. Please help!— Rijiya Begum, Hyderabad Being a twin child myself, I understand the stress you are experiencing. Twin toddlers are always more than a handful. I suggest you take them outdoors more often for free play, to a nearby park for instance. Enrichment of all senses will assist children develop emotional regulation over time. Also make time for your own rest and sleep. This will help you gain perspective. If you are still unable to enjoy downtime when they are away at school, you should seek professional advice to ascertain if you have unrealistic expectations as a parent which is stressing you out. It’s also important to remember that it is not how much time you spend with the children that matters but the quality of the interaction with children. Parenting is not easy and there’s no need to aspire to become a perfect parent. You…

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Boost exam scores with practice testing

Research has proven that distributed study over numerous sessions and timed practice testing is the best combination for exams prep.

As exam fever grips the country, children and parents anxiously search for ways and means to boost learning and knowledge retention for best results. Experts in the field of educational psychology are almost unanimous that distributed […]

Is your teen at risk?

If your adolescent child is experiencing trials and tribulations, take a few moments and answer the following questionnaire. This can serve as a point of reference to understand the severity of the problems your teen is experiencing. Sometimes teenage problems are so severe, they can only be addressed by a professional in a controlled environment, such as a residential centre and/or therapy programme. However most rites of passage problems can be resolved at home by tightening family rules and discipline. After completing the questionnaire, count how many questions you have ticked ‘Yes’ and refer to the scoring guide, which offers suggestions and recommendations based on your responses. Questionnaire 1. Are you concerned about your child’s well-being and future? YES/NO 2. Are you concerned that your teen may be sexually promiscuous? YES/NO 3. Are you exhausted by your teen’s defiant and/or destructive behaviour and choices? YES/NO 4. Are you worried that your teen may not complete high school? YES/NO 5. Do you find yourself choosing words carefully when speaking to your teen out of fear of a verbal attack from her? YES/NO 6. Do you lack trust in your teen? YES/NO 7. Do you have trouble getting your teen to do simple household chores or homework? YES/NO 8. Do you suspect at times that money or other valuables have been stolen from your home? YES/NO 9. Do you suspect that sometimes your teen lies or is dishonest with you? YES/NO 10. Do you suspect your teen is using or experimenting with drugs/alcohol? YES/NO11. Does your teen hang out with an anti-social group? YES/NO 12. Does your teen engage in activities you don’t approve of? YES/NO 13. Does your teen ever display violent behaviour? YES/NO 14. Does your teen have problems with authority? YES/NO 15. Does your teen seem depressed/withdrawn? YES/NO 16. Does your teen seem to be in constant opposition to your family values? YES/NO 17. Does your teen seem to demonstrate lack of motivation? YES/NO 18. Does your teen seem to lack self-esteem and self-worth? YES/NO 19. Does she struggle with basic family rules and expectations? YES/NO 20. Has she ever been suspended, expelled, truant, or experienced a drop in school grades? YES/NO 21. Does her behaviour raise concerns for her safety? YES/NO 22. Has your teen ever displayed any evidence of suicide ideation? YES/NO 23. Has she had problems with the law? YES/NO 24. Has she lost interest in former productive activities, hobbies or sports? YES/NO 25. Has your teen’s visual appeal and/or personal hygiene changed? YES/NO 26. Is your teen angry or displaying temper outbursts? YES/NO 27. Is she manipulative and/or deceitful? YES/NO 28. Is she verbally abusive? YES/NO 29. No matter what rules and consequences are set, do you feel that your teen will defy them? YES/NO 30. When dealing with your teen, do you often feel that you are powerless? YES/NO What do your responses indicate? 18+ Yes responses: High risk. Get professional help! A residential treatment programme/therapy is strongly recommended. 9-17 Yeses: Borderline risk. It…

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Protecting children from digital eye strain

Children below five years are most vulnerable to ocular damage, as their still-developing eyes are unable to cope with the speed of moving images on electronic screens – K P Malini With a rising number of parents using tech gadgets to pacify toddlers, it’s unsurprising that over the past decade there’s been a corresponding increase in the incidence of digital eye strain among young children. Children below five years are most vulnerable to ocular damage, as their still-developing eyes are unable to cope with the speed of moving images on electronic screens. Digital eye strain, aka computer vision syndrome (CVS), describes a group of eye and vision-related problems that result from prolonged computer, tablet, and mobile phone usage. Among the most common symptoms associated with CVS are eyestrain; headaches; blurred vision; dry eyes and neck and shoulder pain. “Over the past six years, I have witnessed an increase in the number of children under five suffering vision-related problems. Most complain of photophobia i.e, discomfort or pain to the eyes due to light exposure, and dry eyes. Prolonged exposure to digital screens can have damaging consequences on children’s eyes. Parents need to desist from using smart phones and computer tabs as pacifiers,” says Dr Dahlia Krishnan, consultant ophthalmologist, Dr Sreekanth’s Eyecare, Calicut. Dry eye syndrome According to Krishnan, symptoms of dry eye syndrome are irritation, redness, and discharge. “While viewing mobile phones, children often forget to blink because they are transfixed by fast-moving digital images. This is a major cause of dry eyes. With every blink, the surface of the eye is moistened. So when children don’t blink enough, irritation prompts a child to rub her eyes which causes greater discomfort, leading to dry eye syndrome,” she explains. Krishnan advises older children and adults to take a break after every 20 minutes on screen, and look into the distance for 20 seconds, allowing eye muscles to relax. Myopia Among the many vision-related problems traced to the excessive digital screen, focus are refractive errors such as myopia and astigmatism. The American Academy of Paediatric Ophthalmology says that too much on-screen time can aggravate the myopia of children already suffering from this vision ailment. Moreover, it can induce myopia in children who don’t have it. Comments Dr Girija Suresh, consultant paediatric ophthalmologist, Fortis Hospital, Mulund, Mumbai: “On average, I treat five-ten children every month for ocular problems related to excess digital screen exposure. The blue light emitted from laptops and mobiles is absorbed by the eyes, making optical tissues vulnerable to damage. There is a postulation that in the long run this could cause major damage to the retina, and increase the chances of early onset of cataract. Moreover, when children play video games or watch animated movies, they usually do it in dark rooms with the light intensity constantly increasing and decreasing. For every change in light intensity, eyes have to accommodate the size of pupils which dilate and revert. This makes children vulnerable to myopia.” Dr Suresh’s advice for digital screen…

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Parents have no clue about teens’ suicidal thoughts

Three in four parents are unaware that their teenage children have had recurrent suicidal thoughts, says a study conducted by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine. According to the study published in Pediatrics (January), adolescents usually deny thoughts of suicide when parents ask them about it. Researchers interviewed 5,137 adolescents, aged 11-17 years, and one parent or step-parent. The study highlights that most teens surveyed didn’t report suicidal inclinations, but when they did, half the parents were unaware that their children had thought of killing themselves and 76 percent didn’t know that teens regularly muse about death. “Parental unawareness and adolescent denial of suicidal thoughts may deny at-risk teens from receiving the mental health services they need. Teens need to know they can depend on their parents in times of need,” says study lead author Jason Jones, a research scientist at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Adolescent drinking ups risk of alcohol abuse Drinking during adolescence can significantly increase the risk of alcohol addiction and abuse later in life, reveals a study published in the journal Substance Use & Misuse (February). The study conducted by researchers from the US-based Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation (PIRE), who interviewed 405 adolescent (15-18 years) drinkers, found that one-third of them had experienced their first intoxication by age 15. Adolescent drinkers reported drinking most frequently at home, followed by outdoor settings such as restaurants, bars and nightclubs. The researchers found that first intoxication is strongly linked with drinking in outdoor settings, rather than at home. Dr. Sharon Lipperman-Kreda, co-author and senior research scientist, PIRE, says the outcomes of the study clearly suggest “the importance of considering the contribution of contexts to alcohol early initiation and problems to inform the development of preventive interventions specific to contexts”. Early onset of drinking among adolescents has been identified as a big risk for later heavy drinking and alcohol dependence among young adults. More siblings, more bullying A child with more than one sibling is more likely to be a victim of sibling bullying than a child with only one sibling, reveals a study conducted by the University of Warwick, UK. The study, which analysed data of 6,838 British children born in 1991/1992, found that first-born children and older brothers are more likely to be perpetrators. “Sibling bullying is the most frequent form of family violence. There is increasing evidence that it can have long-term consequences, like increased loneliness, delinquency and mental health problems,” says Dieter Wolke, lead author and professor of psychology at Warwick University. According to the study published in the journal Developmental Psychology (February), 28 percent of children studied were involved in sibling bullying with the majority of them found to be bully victims, i.e they bullied and were bullied. The researchers concluded that bullying was more likely to occur in families with three or more children and the eldest child or older brothers were more often the bullies, and female and younger children were more often…

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Little exam stress is good

Thank you for the comprehensive cover story ‘Enabling children to beat exam stress’ (PW February). An exams veteran, when I look back at my time as a student, I can say confidently that a little stress around exam time is good as it motivates and pushes you to put in that extra effort. It’s only when stress levels get out of hand and affect children’s physical and mental health that parents need to start worrying. I’ve read that when an individual experiences stress, the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system releases adrenaline. This hormone stimulates us to get going and increases concentration and performance. However when periods of stress become prolonged, the body releases excess adrenaline which results in anxiety, sleeplessness etc. Therefore it’s important for children not to over-stress during exam time. A balanced diet, well-planned study schedule and optimal exercise regimen are necessary to keep adrenaline levels from crossing the danger mark. Chitra Devi Chennai Eastern parenting the best Your Middle Years feature on Eastern vs. Western parenting made interesting reading (PW February). I am a great believer in eastern, in particular Indian style, parenting. Indian parents are way more caring and affectionate than their Western counterparts. Our age-old traditions and customs highlight love, care and complete devotion to raising children. Unfortunately the new generation of Indian parents is veering towards Western parenting styles. As their working and social lives become busier, parents are not giving children sufficient time, love, attention and care. They believe that this will help raise highly individualistic and decisive children. This is not true. Children whether Eastern or Western, need the love, attention and most importantly, complete devotion, of their parents. Also with the rise of nuclear families, Indian children are becoming alienated from their grandparents. This is a sad development. I grew up in a joint family, and have learnt my best life lessons from my grandparents and extended family members. Rishika Bhatia Jaipur Inspiring story Every time I’ve read a story on exam stress, I’ve observed that only success stories are highlighted with students boasting of overcoming hardships and passing exams with flying colours. We read of students who scored centums, topped the country, the state, or their school. We never hear success stories of the other 95 percent who are average scorers. Therefore it was so refreshing to read your latest cover story on exam stress and the story of Tushar Ravi, a promising State Bank of India officer, who did not fare well in his class X boards, but went on to successfully clear several bank probationary officers exams. These are the success stories that children need to read. Every child can’t be a topper, but has her own strengths and talents. Tushar scored only 52 percent in his class XII board exams but went on to do well in the banking qualification exams. Kudos to you for telling us a real and relatable success story. Meenakshi K. Puducherry Informative & useful Congratulations on publishing an excellent parenting…

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Letter from Managing Editor

Although India’s 248 million households place education of their children #1 on their priority lists, successive governments at the Centre and in the states have cruelly neglected development of the country’s abundant human resource. During the past six decades since independence, the national spending on education — Centre plus states — has never exceeded 3.5 percent of GDP (cf. 6-10 percent in OECD countries). The outcome of consistent under-funding of public education is that the country’s 1.2 million government schools are struggling with obsolete curriculums, poor infrastructure, teacher shortages and abysmal student learning outcomes. According to the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2018 of the Pratham Education Foundation, 27 percent of class VIII children in rural India cannot read/comprehend class II textbooks, and a mere 44 percent can manage simple three-digits by one-digit division sums. The country’s much-hyped private school system — overwhelmingly preferred by middle class parents — isn’t great shakes either. It’s common knowledge that the great majority of India’s 320,000 private schools adhere to rigid curriculums prescribed by the country’s 34 outdated examination boards which reward rote learning capability, to prepare children to succeed in school-leaving and competitive national exams. Development of students’ critical thinking, creativity and problem-solving intelligencies — prerequisites for success in the VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous) world — is a low priority in the majority of India’s private schools. In 2011, a Quality Education Study conducted by Bangalore-based IT major Wipro Ltd and Ahmedabad-based Educational Initiatives Pvt. Ltd, had revealed that India’s top private schools, including CBSE and CISCE-affiliated schools, encourage rote learning and consequently, their students’ performance in global standardised tests, which assess critical thinking and problem-solving skills, is way below international standard. Therefore unsurprisingly, a small — but growing — minority of well-educated middle class parents are abandoning India’s obsolescing formal schooling system to educate their children at home. In our March cover story, we beam a spotlight on India’s budding homeschooling movement and present interviews with pioneer homeschooling parents in Mumbai, Bangalore and Coimbatore who share their motivations and experience of home education. Our other stories are equally interesting. Check out the Early Childhood feature on protecting children from digital eye strain, health & nutrition column by Mumbai-based paediatrician Dr. Aatish Laddad which busts 10 common myths about juvenile diabetes, and the interview with celebrity psychiatrist Dr. Anjali Chhabria who has won wide national acclaim for advocating children’s mental and emotional well-being.

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