ParentsWorld September 2018 Archives

Cover Story

Saving children from digital gaming addiction

With technology, electronic devices and the Internet becoming ubiquitous and children taking to gizmos and gadgets with manic frenzy, there’s rising panic about children and youth’s growing digital gaming addiction. In its latest International Classification of Diseases, the World Health Organisation has categorised ‘gaming disorder’ as a serious mental health condition – K.P. Malini & Jayalakshmi Vaidyanathan Tech addiction — a childhood lifestyle disease — is generating anxiety among parents worldwide. With technology, electronic devices and Internet access becoming ubiquitous, and children taking to gizmos and gadgets with manic frenzy, there’s fear that excessive exposure to computers, smart phones and gaming consoles is creating an entire generation of tech addicts who will need medical care and remedial therapy before they attain adulthood. In particular, there is rising panic about children and youth’s growing addiction to video gaming which is emerging as a popular form of entertainment. In June, the World Health Organisation (WHO) released the 11th edition of its International Classification of Diseases (ICD), in which it has categorised ‘gaming disorder’ as a mental health condition. WHO defines gaming disorder as “a pattern of behaviour for at least 12 months in which gaming is out of control” and “increased priority given to gaming” to the point that gaming “takes precedence over other interests and daily activities”. With one in three Internet users being children and teenagers aged below 18, according to a December 2017 report of Unicef, there’s rising concern that children and teens will become the biggest victims of gaming disorder even as the online gaming industry, as per a March 2018 report by industry association FICCI and consulting firm Ernst and Young, is flourishing with an annual average growth rate of 27.5 percent between 2016-2020. Like most lifestyle diseases, gaming addiction begins innocuously with parents gifting children gaming consoles for play and entertainment. The history of Ganesh Srinivas, a final year Chennai-based engineering student, is illustrative. He was gifted a new Nintendo DS, a dual-screen handheld game console, when he was in class III and allowed 30 minutes every day to play. With every game completed, he realised he was getting better. He loved the challenges and rewards of the gaming world. In class X and XII, he gamed to relax during study breaks. But soon, the breaks started extending beyond 30 minutes. Also, the activity stressed him out, with every game requiring him to be fully focused — in constant flight or fight mode. Gradually, the rewards and stimulus of goals achievement kept him glued to the console/computer for over six-seven hours at a stretch. He skipped meals and reduced his sleeping hours. His grades began to fall and he experienced significant weight loss. Fortunately, his parents realised that he needed professional counseling to help him understand the difference between the virtual and real worlds and he began to disengage from compulsive gaming. “In my over seven years of clinical experience, I have treated many cases of children, especially teenagers, suffering from mild to severe gaming addiction.…

Already a subscriber

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

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

Leisure & Travel

Rediscovery of Odisha

Rediscovering the old state of Odisha, where splendid monuments and sculptures, golden beaches, swift rivers, azure lakes, roaring waterfalls, verdant hills and wildlife parks beckon a growing number of visitors In the popular perception, the eastern seaboard state of Odisha (pop. 40 million) known mainly for the Puri Jagannath and Konark Sun temples and ancient cultural landmarks is a distant place, situated somewhere out there in the great Indian outback. Formerly, the epicentre of the historic Kalinga kingdom of Emperor Ashoka, Odisha with its 4,000 stunningly-crafted monuments, famed archaeological sites, early Jain cave temples, Buddhist monasteries, Hindu temples, mosques, forts, palaces and splendid colonial architecture, is re-impacting itself upon the national consciousness as a tourism destination. Little is known about the state’s early history except that the region was originally inhabited by Buiya and Gond tribals. Circa 400 BCE the region was united under the Kalinga dynasty which established a fiercely independent kingdom. In 260 BCE Emperor Ashoka (232-273 BCE) of the neighboring Mauryan empire based in Pataliputra invaded and subdued Kalinga after a long and bloody war of conquest. The conquest of Kalinga was a turning point for Ashoka, who, anguished by the horror and destruction of the war, converted to Buddhism and established one of the most peaceful and prosperous kingdoms in Indian history. Later in the second century, the Kharavela dynasty established strong rule over the region and built numerous temples. From 400-1000 AD the region was administered by the Gupta, Bhaumakara and the Soma dynasties followed by the Gangas (1100-1200). During the late 13th century, the Delhi sultanate established suzerainty over the region and continued to rule until 16th century, when it was conquered by the Mughals. Following the death of Emperor Aurangzeb in 1707, the Nawab of Bengal took over and ruled the state till its cessation to the British East India Company in 1803. It was only in 1949, two years after India attained independence, that Orissa state was constituted. The name was changed from Orissa to Odisha, and its language from Oriya to Odia, in 2011, after the Alteration of Name and 113th Amendment Bills, were passed in the Parliament in 2010. In the new era of incremental domestic and international tourism, Odisha’s kaleidoscopic culture, splendid architecture, monuments and sculptural art, as also its golden beaches, swift rivers, azure lakes, roaring waterfalls, verdant hills and wildlife parks have begun to attract a growing number of visitors. Bhubaneswar The state’s capital, Bhubaneswar — its landscape studded with over a hundred ancient temples — is the gateway to the cultural wealth of Odisha. The city (pop. 929,000) derives its name from the Sanskrit word Tribhuvaneswara, synonymous with Lord Shiva. Against this multi-hued tapestry of history and the soaring sandstone spires of old Bhubaneswar, a new capital has taken shape. The modern architectural designs of present-day Bhubaneswar contrast in sharp relief with the old city. Nevertheless, mindful of its unique status, Bhubaneswar is a calm, progressive city, comfortably linking the old and new. Renowned for its…

Already a subscriber

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

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

Health & Nutrition

Avocado – the green wonder

Avocados are a ‘super food’ because of their high nutritive value. They are good for the heart and eyes, help in weight reduction, lower cholesterol, and aid digestion. This single-seeded fruit/food contains 160 calories, 15 gm of healthy fat and 2 gm protein together with several vitamins and minerals including Vitamin K, C, E, B5, B6, potassium, folate, iron, and magnesium. Here are four recipes to help you include this super food in your menu. Avocados are in season now, so make the most of them, writes K.P. Malini Avocado Smoothie – This smoothie is a cholesterol and gluten-free vegan breakfast option. The natural creaminess of avocados mixed with the sweetness of mango and orange provides a rich texture and flavour. Ingredients 1 ripe avocado, halved, pitted and peeled 1 ripe banana (the riper the better) ½ cup frozen berries ½ cup orange juice ½ cup yoghurt Preparation guide Mix the avocado, banana, berries, yoghurt and orange juice in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth (add some water if necessary). Chill and serve. Mushroom Burger with Avocado and Yoghurt Sauce A pan-fried or grilled mushroom burger can be embellished with a rich avocado and yogurt sauce. Vegans can substitute yoghurt with coconut milk. Ingredients • Medium sized stemless mushrooms • 1 medium-sized onion, cut into ½ inch slices • 3 tbsp olive oil • ½ tsp ground black pepper • 1 sliced avocado • 2 tbsp low-fat yogurt • ½ tsp minced garlic • 4 lightly toasted burger buns • Lettuce, tomato slices or other burger toppings • 4 roasted red peppers (optional) Preparation guide Lightly brush olive oil on both sides of mushrooms and onion slices. Mix ½ tsp of salt and ¼ tsp of pepper and sprinkle on the mushroom and onion slices. Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium heat. Add the marinated mushrooms and cook for about 8-10 minutes, turning once, until they become tender. Transfer them to a plate, hollow side facing up and keep them warm. Now cook the onion slices in the skillet or grill pan for about 8 minutes turning occasionally until they become golden brown on both sides. Mix the avocado, yogurt, minced garlic, salt and black pepper in a bowl. Mash everything together using a fork until the mix becomes smooth and creamy. Divide the onions according to the number of mushrooms. Spoon the onions and roasted red peppers (optional) into the grilled mushroom cavities. Spread the smooth avocado sauce on the bottom of each burger bun and then place the mushrooms. Place remaining sliced avocado and other burger toppings as desired and cover. Assemble all burgers and serve hot. Avocado Fudge This is a rich and creamy, dairy-free vegan fudge made using vegan margarine and avocados. Ingredients 1 ripe avocado ½ cup vegan margarine 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup cocoa powder 3 cups powdered sugar 1/3 cup chopped walnuts (optional) Preparation guide Melt vegan margarine in a pan over low heat. Blend the ripe avocado…

Already a subscriber

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

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

Letter from the Managing Editor

Letter from Managing Editor

To some extent, everyone who owns a smartphone or Internet-enabled device suffers some degree of tech addiction. It’s normative for people who forget their smartphones at home or in the office to suffer anxiety and angst. Designed to be utilitarian, most digital gizmos and gadgets have become connectivity and entertainment media, often absorbing people to the point of obsession. Unsurprisingly, Gen Z children (born in the 21st century) who are digital natives, are more vulnerable to a new and fast-spreading lifestyle disease: tech addiction Under the broad umbrella of tech dependence, gaming addiction i.e, obsessive playing of video games on gaming consoles/smartphone/computer/tablets etc is generating panic in middle class households with children, and adolescents in particular, becoming increasingly dazzled by the make-believe virtual world of gaming designed by multi-billion dollar IT companies. In its recently released 11th edition of International Classification of Diseases, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has classified ‘gaming disorder’ as a new mental health condition. According to the WHO, gaming disorder leads to significant mental stress and impairment of personal, family and social bonds and causes “disturbed sleep patterns, diet problems, and decline in physical activity”. In this month’s cover story, we turn the spotlight on this digital disorder to which young children and teenagers are becoming increasingly susceptible. The story provides useful information on the warning signs, diagnoses and treatment of children’s gaming addiction and also offers expert advice on how parents can prevent digital play/entertainment from transforming into addiction. The consensus of expert opinion is that the onus is on parents to restrict children’s gaming time from early age and encourage them to develop hobbies, play sports and indulge in other non-tech activities to lead healthy and balanced lives. In this issue of ParentsWorld, we also present selected ratings and rankings of the annual EducationWorld India School Rankings 2018-19 survey. EducationWorld (an affiliate of ParentsWorld) conducted the survey in association with the highly-reputed Delhi-based market research and opinion polls company Centre for Forecasting and Research Pvt. Ltd (C fore) to rate the country’s most well-known primary-secondaries in 14 categories — day boys, girls, co-ed and day-cum-boarding; legacy co-ed, boys and girls boarding, and international day, day-cum-boarding, and residential schools. We believe these league tables will enable young parents to choose the most aptitudinally suitable schools for their children to give them a good start in life. To access the complete league tables, visit www.educationworld.in.

Already a subscriber

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

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

Mailbox

Discipline yourself to discipline children

It was refreshing to read your cover story ‘Disciplining children in the new millennium’ (PW August). Parents around the world face this challenge every day. Should they spare the rod and spoil the child or should they adopt non-corporal ways to discipline them. I have often yelled and screamed at my children for recalcitrant behaviour, but never inflicted physical punishment upon them. But over the years, I have learnt that the best way to discipline children is to remain calm and patient while persuading them to adopt good behaviour practices. I have also found that sharing and consulting with other parents on ways and means to discipline children helps. It made me feel less alone. I know most of us want to keep our children’s negative behaviour to ourselves, but it is important to share one’s frustrations with like-minded people and solicit their advice. Sometimes I have found that it is my own irritation and anger that has provoked me to yell at my children. Also before disciplining children it’s important to first discipline oneself in terms of an exercise regimen. I found that I am a lot calmer on the days that I exercise and they are also a lot calmer on the days they have had exercise. Also if you and your children have slept well, shouting matches become rare. Sindhu Chandran Chennai Child-friendly recipes please My children are foodies, and enjoy a variety of cuisines. I’m a bit worried that I might be over-feeding them, or giving unhealthy food. I like your Health & Nutrition section because it features healthy and nutritious recipes. I wonder if you could publish easy-to-prepare recipes that children can cook by themselves. My children are 11 and 13 years respectively, so I can allow them a bit of kitchen work, with supervision. I believe cooking is an essential skill that all children need to learn early in life. Rianna Kapoor Mumbai Interesting & engaging Congratulations for publishing an informative and well-written parenting magazine. I enjoyed reading your August cover story on disciplining children in the new millennium. I also enjoy reading the Activity Zone section. It offers some very interesting ideas on engaging children in outdoor activities such as nature walks. My children are very creative and I enjoy taking them on nature walks and getting them to write poetry or paint. I think we need to take a break from our tech-intensive lives and encourage children to enjoy simple pleasures of life such as nature walks. Even reading is an activity that can keep children engaged for hours. I love your Fun with Words section too, and often share it with my children and we try out the quiz/activity. Do please include more stories for children and teenagers. Shilpi Sethia Delhi Child readiness for preschool vital Thanks for your excellent Early Childhood feature on ‘What’s the right age to start preschool’ (PW August). I am a mother of a three-year-old girl and we have chosen not to send…

Already a subscriber

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

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

News Bytes

Anti-social teens more likely to die young

Adolescents with behavioural and substance abuse problems are five times more likely to die prematurely than their peers, says a study published in the London-based journal Addiction (August). The study conducted by the University of Colorado, Boulder (USA) found that ‘conduct disorder,’ a mental health illness that involves aggressive anti-social behaviour, such as property destruction, lying and thievery in teenagers, is as much of a predictor of early death as substance abuse. The researchers analysed death rates among 1,463 adolescents who had been arrested or referred to counselling for substance use problems or ‘conduct disorder’. They also followed a control group of 904 adolescents of similar age and demographic background. The researchers found that while both conduct disorder and substance use severity were associated with increased mortality risk, conduct disorder was a more powerful independent risk factor. “This research makes it clear that youth identified with conduct problems are at extreme risk of premature mortality, beyond that which can be explained by substance use problems, and in critical need of greater resources and help,” says lead author Richard Border, a graduate student with the university’s Institute for Behavioral Genetics. Toxic substances found in crayons & markers The United States Public Interest Research Group (PIRG), a consumer rights group, has found that a number of school supplies tested contained toxic substances including asbestos in crayons and benzene in a dry-erase marker. The findings were detailed in a report published by the group, which conducted an independent laboratory test of 27 school stationery products including crayons, markers, binders, water bottles, lunchboxes, notebooks, rulers and glue. Of the crayons tested, a Playskool crayon tested positive for tremolite, a form of asbestos. Benzene — a carcinogen that’s known to cause leukemia and potentially other types of cancers — was found in a pack of six magnetic markers produced in a brand owned by Mattel. The group also found phthalates, a plastic that is being investigated for suspected links to asthma and birth defects, in three-ring binders. “It’s insane for us to find asbestos in kids’ products, whether it’s legal or not, and parents shouldn’t have to worry about this in 2018,” says Dev Gowda, author of the report. Early onset of diabetes in girls linked with lower life expectancy Girl children who develop Type-1 diabetes before the age of 10 die an average 18 years earlier than those who don’t have this disease, says a study published in Lancet (August). The study conducted by researchers at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, also found that male children in the corresponding situation lose almost 14 years of life. The lives of patients diagnosed at age 26-30 years are shortened by an average of ten years. “The study suggests that we must make an even greater effort to aggressively treat patients diagnosed at an early age to reduce the risk of complications and premature death,” says researcher and co-author Araz Rawshani at the university’s Sahlgrenska Academy. The team monitored 27,195 individuals with Type-1 diabetes for ten years.…

Already a subscriber

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

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

Ask the Doctor

Toilet training woes

My two-year-old son is meeting all his developmental milestones but I haven’t been able to toilet train him. I avoid using diapers at home, but use them when we go out. Is this advisable? Also is it ok if he still uses a potty instead of an adult toilet? — Lucy Fernandes, Kochi The ‘potty’ is a good way to toilet train children. However, as children are still learning, accidents can happen and using diapers for social occasions and outings is a good idea. However, on the flip side, the availability of diapers has delayed the toilet training of children. It is important to give children some diaper free time to encourage potty training. Encourage the squatting or sitting position with feet placed on the ground. Also, it is important to escort children at regular intervals to the toilet to urinate as it helps them develop bladder control. My daughter is training to become a Bharatnatyam dancer and regularly participates in dance competitions. Inevitably she has to use heavy face makeup for long hours. Of late she is developing redness if the makeup is not properly removed. Therefore, to thoroughly remove the makeup I am applying coconut oil and massaging her face and then washing off with besan powder. Am I doing the right thing? — Nisha Rangarajan, Hyderabad You are doing the right thing for your daughter’s skin. Whenever makeup is used, it’s important that it is washed off completely and as soon as possible. This prevents harmful chemicals used in makeup products from damaging the skin. Children’s skin is especially sensitive and it’s important to limit applied makeup to the extent possible. My daughter loves cornflake chocos with milk, but my mother-in-law says that it’s not healthy for children to consume it daily as it is sugar and chocolate coated. My daughter insists it is a health food. Please advise. — Mumtaz Ahmed, Ahmedabad Food companies worldwide are increasingly using healthy ingredients to make their products more acceptable to the public. These days chocos contain fibre content, limited calories and have carefully chosen ingredients. Nevertheless, they contain sugar, preservatives and artificial flavours. Therefore, they are a good choice for an occasional meal, not for daily consumption. It will help to strike the balance between what one wants one’s child to eat and what one’s child will agree to eat! However, it is most important to encourage a healthy plate at each meal — cereals, vegetables, fruits, proteins. Children also follow by example, so the whole family should be encouraged to make healthy food choices. (Dr. Nisha Miriam George is a paediatric consultant at Sundaram Medical Foundation and Dr. Rangarajan Memorial Hospital, Chennai)

Already a subscriber

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

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

Ask your Counselor

Managing sibling rivalry

I have two daughters — the older is in class VIII and younger in class II. My older daughter is very possessive about her young sister. When we go out, she always hovers around her and stops her from playing with friends including cousins. When I intervene, she throws tantrums and is very tiresome. Do I need professional help? — Reshma Sayeesh, Pune In some cases, sibling rapport can transform into extreme possessiveness. Also when there is a substantial age difference between siblings, the elder child often takes the role of primary caretaker and makes up for her insecurity by tending to the young sibling to earn parental approval and praise. However this is not healthy behaviour. It’s advisable to get help from a counsellor. My son, a class VII student, is very active, restless and garrulous at home. But in school, he is the exact opposite. He is quiet and uncommunicative. Is this extreme behaviour abnormal? — Lekha Ajaykumar, Calicut Your son’s behaviour are responses to external stimuli. He is free from discipline at home and subject to it in school. It may be advisable to meet with the school counsellor who can guide you based on inputs from teachers and peers. I also advise that you test him for learning difficulties. Either way, you need to consult a professional counselor. As he is on the verge of adolescence, it’s critical that you address the problem urgently. My son is seven years old. I always wanted him to learn the violin and realised through a friend’s experience that it is better to start early. I feel this is the correct age but my husband feels it’s too early. He believes that we will be stressing him out. I say that he needs to try it and if he doesn’t like it, he can stop. Please advise. — Jisha Rao, Hyderabad Many children begin to learn music at the age of six-seven years. However, initially it’s important to emphasise enjoyment of music rather than learning to play. The violin is a difficult instrument to play. So if you stress the importance of learning, he may be put off by the idea. You need to find a good music teacher in your city who specialises in teaching children. A combination of instrumental and vocal music and an opportunity to develop rhythm over the next year will prepare his neural pathways for music learning. When he is ready, you can introduce the violin. In the meantime, he would have had the opportunity to learn the basics of music and will be better prepared to start learning to play an instrument. If he begins with a difficult instrument, he will most likely find it overwhelming and quit. Also please let your child choose the musical instrument he wants to learn. Your desires should not be vicariously lived through your child. (Aarti Rajaratnam is director of the Child Guidance Centre and Counseling Clinic, Salem/Chennai)

Already a subscriber

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

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

Resources

Top 3 parenting websites

Coping with parenting challenges such as helping children fight school bullies and protecting them from online dangers can become a lot easier with help and advice from these websites, says K.P. Malini 1. Prevent bullying, build respect www.micheleborba.com The objective of this website-cum-blog founded by US-based psychologist Dr. Michele Borba, an expert on parenting, bullying, youth violence and character development, is “to strengthen children’s empathy and resilience, and break the cycle of youth violence”. A motivational speaker, NBC contributor and former teacher, Dr. Borba has authored 22 books, including the best-selling UnSelfie: Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in Our All-About Me World, The 6Rs of Bullying Prevention: Best Proven Practices to Combat Cruelty and Build Respect, The Big Book of Parenting Solutions, and Building Moral Intelligence. Through well-written blogs she provides research-backed advice on coping with peer pressure and bullying and character development. Based on her wide research on school shootings in the US, she also gives parents insights on how to nurture empathy in children early, so they don’t transform into school bullies. She stresses development of the moral intelligence of children through ‘no-cost strategies’. Her prescription for preventing bullying is to “mobilise the compassion of students”. 2. Internet safety www.connectsafely.org Most parents are oblivious to the numerous dangers and risks the Internet presents to children and teens. This website provides updated news about online trends and dangers including an explanation of the word ‘juvenoia’ — “exaggerated fear about the influence of social change on children and youth”. It also highlights trending social media challenges, including dangerous ones, and guidelines to help children navigate the Internet safely. A special section on teens and Internet provides useful suggestions on social media usage. Ways and means to spot fake online news are also highlighted in considerable detail. In short, it’s a one-stop website for parents to protect their children from the dangers of the Internet. 3. Homework helper www.more4kids.info The mission statement of more4kids.com is “to foster and encourage children’s intellectual and emotional growth by providing parents with current and relevant information and resources”. The website provides advice on helping children with homework, creating a learner-friendly home environment, drawing up study time tables, and accessing learning resources.

Already a subscriber

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

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

Careers Watch

Rising demand for pharmacy professionals

The pharmaceutical industry is recession-proof and the demand for new generation drugs and formulations is growing Pharmacology is a rapidly growing, highly organised profession in which the role of the pharmacist has gained considerable importance with rapid advances and breakthroughs in the global pharmaceutical industry. In the next few years there is a distinct possibility of Indian pharmaceutical firms (Lupin, Cadila, Dr. Reddy’s Labs, Wockhard, Cipla etc) embarking on a recruitment spree of pharma professionals to manage their expanding worldwide businesses. It is estimated that India accounts for 5 percent of the world’s market for pharmaceuticals, with an estimated value of about $33 billion (Rs.231,000 crore). The country ranks third in terms of total pharmaceutical production and 13th in terms of value of production. It is growing at an average of 15 percent annually and the market is expected to grow to $40 billion by 2020 which means fantastic career opportunities for pharmacy graduates. Until very recently, pharmacology was the next best option of aspiring medical practitioners — a second preference career choice for those who couldn’t get that much-coveted medical seat. In the present scenario however, industry leaders are becoming aware that a pharmacist is much more than a compounder or someone with a licence to manage a pharmacy. Pharmaceutical science is all about the development and formulation of drugs (from natural and synthetic sources) which are used in the prevention and treatment of disease. Pharmacists work in research laboratories, in the research and development (R&D) departments of pharma companies and other establishments to develop new drugs, guarantee the quality of existing drugs and formulations, and improve their efficacy. STUDY PROGRAMMES. Pharmacy programmes are offered as bachelor’s degree and diploma courses. The degree programme in pharmacy — bachelor of pharmacy (B.Pharm) — is a four-year study programme open to students who have completed Plus Two or equivalent examination with physics, chemistry, and biology or mathematics. Admission into B.Pharm programmes is on the basis of performance in an entrance examination which evaluates candidates’ knowledge of physics, chemistry, and biology at the Plus Two or equivalent level. Most states of the Indian Union have promoted colleges of pharmacy which conduct B.Pharm courses. Admission into state-run colleges is on the basis of state domicile. Some of the reputed colleges/institutes for the study of pharmacy are: • Institute of Medical Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi • Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi • Faculty of Pharmacy, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi • Department of pharmaceutical science, Punjab University, Chandigarh • SNDT Women’s University, Mumbai • Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani • Al-Ameen College of Pharmacy, Bangalore • Nalanda College of Pharmacy, Nalgonda • LM College of Pharmacy, Ahmedabad The eligibility criterion for admission into diploma pharmacy courses which are usually of two years duration, is completion of the secondary school examination. However, a diploma merely qualifies one for the job of a dispensing pharmacist in hospitals or a pharmacy technician. These courses are of limited value in the present scenario. Pharmacists working…

Already a subscriber

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

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

Early Childhood

Seven chores for your preschooler

Getting kids involved in household chores is beneficial in several ways for preschooler. It helps children learn skills and responsibility and build self-esteem – Radhika Meganathan & Sherine Kingsly Juggling parenting, household chores, office work, socialising and multi-tasking can drain your energy. Getting kids involved in household chores is beneficial in several ways: * Helps children learn skills and responsibility * Builds their self-esteem when they learn they are making a meaningful contribution to the family * Facilitates quality family time together * Makes life easier for all family members Comments Chennai-based clinical psychologist Parimal Pandit, program director, Counseling and Resource Centre, V-Excel Education Trust: “There’s a lot of talk about today’s kids being selfish and irresponsible or addicted to gadgets, but people don’t realise that they were not born that way. The onus is on parents to start developing responsibility and a work ethic in children by involving them in household chores from early age. It develops their self-esteem, helps them learn skills and contributes to family bonding.” Here are seven simple chores for preschoolers: 1. Collect trash from the floor or garden and put it into the appropriate dust bin. 2. Put dirty clothes into the laundry basket. If the clothes are inside out, they need to be turned the right way. This is the right time to ensure that your child does not turn into an irresponsible adult who leaves dirty clothes lying around rooms. 3. Set the table. Colourful placemats, cutlery and break-resistant crockery can be placed on the table. (As they grow, you can teach them to clear the table too.) 4. Put away toys and books in the right place which will save you hours of work. 5. Wipe doors, cupboards and windows with a damp cloth. Let them discover the pleasure of seeing shiny, clean surfaces. 6. Make their own beds. It is not realistic to expect preschoolers to do this perfectly, but they can be taught to straighten the sheets, put the pillows in place, and place soft toys/dolls in a corner. As they grow, they can learn to fold bedspreads. 7. Watering plants and pulling out weeds will give your child the pleasure of nurturing plants. Give your child her own plant pots or patch of land. Be prepared to do some extra work because of the chores you allot. It is often simpler to just do it yourself as little fingers can be clumsy, but keep your eyes on the big picture. Dole out praise after a task is completed, and be sure to tell other family members and friends how helpful your little one has been. A positive attitude towards chores will make life simpler in the long run. Also read: Choosing the right preschool

Already a subscriber

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

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

Health & Nutrition

Learning to cope with 10 common health emergencies

It’s important for parents to have the elementary skills and knowledge required to deal with common medical emergencies and injuries, and provide first aid to children Most parents will vouch that child health emergencies strike when least expected — when you are home alone or in the middle of the night, when doctors, neighbours or relatives can’t be summoned for help. Therefore it’s important for parents to possess elementary skills and knowledge required to deal with common medical emergencies and injuries, and provide immediate first aid to children. Here are 10 common medical emergencies that parents need to be prepared to cope with. Fever This is a common childhood affliction, which if ignored could have dangerous consequences such as seizures and brain damage. Here’s what you need to do to bring down the temperature before rushing to a doctor. • First, record the temperature with a thermometer • If it’s above 100° F, strip the child. Don’t cover her up with a blanket to sweat the fever. • Place the child under a fan and sponge her body with tepid tap water. As the water evaporates, the temperature will automatically drop. • You can simultaneously administer paracetamol in the dose of 10-15 mg/k body weight. The dose can be safely repeated every four hours. Nose bleeds Nose bleeds (aka epistaxis) occur unexpectedly because of nose-picking dried nasal secretions. They are usually not serious. Apply ice cubes wrapped in a plastic bag to the nose and if nasal drops are available at home, apply a drop to the affected nostril and make the child sit up, leaning forward. Nosebleeds usually stop within ten minutes. Earache It’s not uncommon for young children to wake up in the middle of the night, screaming with ear pain. Most often, it is due to blockage of the eustachian tube connecting nose to ear. Nasal drops which open up the blocked nose can be used, together with analgesic anaesthetic ear drops. Paracetamol 10-15mg/kg/dose and an antihistamine such as diphenhydramine or levocetirizine will also temporarily relieve the pain. Allergy Allergies may manifest due to worm infestation, insect bites, and/or contact with allergens in food. An itchy red skin rash can be treated with antihistamines such as diphenhydramine, chlorphenhydramine or levocetirizine and/or any soothing lotion. If there is swelling, especially around the face and lips, it is a medical emergency. After administering the antihistamine, you should take the child to the nearest hospital as soon as possible. Stomach ache This is one of the commonest and most perplexing complaints in infants and children. It can be an isolated complaint or accompanied by fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, rashes, bloating, urinary infection, or a groin swelling. Children are usually unable to localise the pain and indicate the umbilical area. It is often a difficult ailment for even paediatricians to evaluate. Visiting a doctor or hospital is the best option if the pain lasts for more than an hour. Sprains, strains and fractures It’s normal for children to fall while playing or…

Already a subscriber

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

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

Activity Zone

Harness your child’s creativity with making movies

With smartphones and digital cameras as well as myriad movie-making apps offering guidelines and advice, introducing children to the art of movie-making has become an attractive option for parents – Jayalakshmi Vaidyanathan Lights, camera, action! Technology and in particular the ubiquitous smartphone has made the art of amateur movies production uncomplicated and easy. With smartphones and digital cameras as well as myriad movie-making apps offering guidelines and advice, introducing children to the art of movie-making has become an attractive option for parents. Apart from boosting children’s creativity, communication and story-telling skills, this activity offers a wonderful opportunity to bond with children and familiarise them with the latest digital technologies. Among the many film genres — fiction, documentary, etc — animation provides a creative option for engaging children. Making an animation movie might seem complicated and difficult, but with imagination and help from enabling apps, it can become an enjoyable family activity. STOP MOTION ANIMATION It’s a good idea to begin with creating simple stop motion animation, using materials available at home and a smartphone installed with an app/software. Stop motion is an animated-film making technique in which objects are physically manipulated in small increments between individually photographed frames so that they appear to exhibit independent motion when the series of frames is played as a fast sequence. It can also be made using humans, household appliances, and other objects. So you can film a simple tale such as the thirsty crow using photo cut-outs or a clay model moving around the house. Download the following apps and software (any one) to make stop animation movies. Suggested Apps • iStopMotion for iPad/iPhone (HD): • Stop Motion Studio (HD): http://www.cateater.com/ • Lapse It for Android (HD): http://www.lapseit.com/ • Stop Motion for Android (HD): http://www.sheado.net/stopmotion/ • STEP Stop Motion & Time Lapse: http://www.trollback.com/step/ Software • iStopMotion for Mac: http://boinx.com/istopmotion/mac/ • Dragonframe for Mac or Windows: http://www.dragonframe.com/ • Stop Motion Pro for Windows: http://www.stopmotionpro.com/ • Smoovie for Mac: http://www.smoovie.com/ • User friendly and free mobile phone apps like stop motion studio, https://www.cateater.com/ and MonkeyJam for PCs http://monkeyjam.org/download are recommended for schools and home use. The process of making an animation movie can be divided into three stages. Pre-production planning. List the materials needed, ideate the story line/ story board, zero in on the device to be used eg. camera, mobile phone, tablet, etc, research the Stop Motion App or video editing software, and arrange for a microphone for voice recording. For instance if you are filming the story of the thirsty crow, you will need chart paper, photo cut-outs of crows flying in the sky, clouds, pebbles and pictures of pot containing varying amounts of water. Production stage. Create your story board with drawings, clay puppets or paper/photo cut outs if you are not artistically inclined. You could also use Lego models. To shoot the video you need a digital camera, iPad, tablet or smart phone. For example you can use your mobile phone (installed with the app Stop Motion Studio) to film the cut-outs/objects…

Already a subscriber

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

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

Fun with Words

In the name of Antonomasia

A parent’s heart fills with pride when the cricket coach describes their child as a young Sachin Tendulkar whereas a person’s heart is likely to sink when he hears himself wryly referred to as Scrooge! The people under reference here are neither Sachin Tendulkar nor Scrooge. What is happening is that their identifying traits are being likened to a famous personality, real or literary. This substitution of an epithet or title for a proper name as well as the use of a proper noun to express a general idea (e.g, a Scrooge for a miser) is antonomasia. The word antonomasia originates from the Greek verb antonomazein, which means ‘to name differently’, and was first used in England around 1500 A.D. There are several types of antonomasia. If you refer to someone’s wife as ‘the Missus’ or the Pope as ‘His Holiness,’ that’s antonomasia as well because you are substituting an honorific for the person’s given name. The most interesting antonomasia is associated with literary characters. In such cases, a character is given a name that suggests their main personality trait, e.g, ‘Squire Allworthy’ or ‘Captain Awesome’. Sometimes, the idea is flipped around and a common word is used to refer to a notable person. For instance, William Shakespeare is often referred to as the ‘Bard’. A school teacher will announce: “We will be reading four plays by the Bard this semester: Romeo & Juliet, Macbeth, Hamlet, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Antonomasia is also very common in epic poetry. The legendary Greek poet Homer frequently refers to Achilles as Pelides (i.e. son of Peleus). A frequently used antonomasia in the Middle Ages and early Renaissance was the use of the term ‘the Philosopher’, a reference to Aristotle. ‘The Boy Who Lived’ and ‘He Who Must Not Be Named’ are antonomasia recognisable by Harry Potter fans. On the other hand Indian Bollywood fans are accustomed to saying “Wow, you have a budding Lata Mangeshkar in your family” or “the teacher is as scary or strict as Gabbar Singh.” Famous cities are oft referred to by their descriptive traits. Chicago is ‘the windy city’ while Paris is ‘the city of light.’ New York City is ‘the big apple’ while Jaipur is ‘the pink city’. Sometimes we conjure up our own descriptive terms to define people. For instance instead of saying “He was grumpy today, with everything rubbing him up the wrong way,” we might say “Mr Grumpy was being his usual self today.” It’s also common for a woman in love to call her beau Mr. Right instead of saying “He is the right one for me.” “He is a Casanova” is a term frequently used for womanisers, as Casanova was an Italian adventurer who lived a bohemian life. A ‘regular Benedict Arnold’ denotes a traitor while Tarzan is used for anyone with wild habits. These are everyday examples of antonomasia in conversation. Take a guess Just as ‘The Bard’ refers to William Shakespeare, there are honorifics which are commonly used for…

Already a subscriber

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

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

Parents Corner

Time management strategies

PW invited parents of Fazlani L’Academie Globale, Mumbai to share the best time management strategies they follow “My wife and I run a law firm together, Our profession as solicitors is taxing with long working hours. However, we follow our daily schedules diligently to finish as much work as possible in office so we are free to spend time at home with our 12-year-old son Shantanu (class-VII). Shantanu loves gardening so I assist him in our small kitchen garden in the late evenings and over weekends. As a result time management has become of utmost importance to all of us. This has enabled my wife and son to sign up for art classes, make time to dabble with colours, to visit malls and watch movies.” — Deven Dwarkadas, advocate & solicitor, Deven Dwarkadas & Partners “I believe teaching children about discipline is the best way to impart lessons in time management. We encourage our 13-year-old daughter Aayeesha (class VIII) to prioritise her chores and schedule important tasks accordingly. Last week, she had school tests, an inter-house dance and elocution competition. I am proud to say she fared brilliantly in all. The weekend prior to her tests and competitions, we observed Aayeesha practicing in front of the mirror and studying late into the night. We believe constant motivation and support help children to make time for multiple co-curricular and sports activities.” — Mamta Faruqui, homemaker “Spending quality time with children is a top priority for us. From their childhood, we have encouraged our daughter Abhiti (class XI) and son Divit (19) to complete their homework and sundry tasks well in time so we can all sit at the table for at least one meal together. There have been times when we have had to use the ‘N’(no) word with them when they wanted to engage in something they thought was more pressing or idle chatter. Moreover, we also invest substantial time in planning family vacations with all members given a chance to include their preferences. This way when we reach our destination little time is wasted.” — Isita Bhavesh Koradia, homemaker “As both of us are working parents, we have learnt to balance our time between workplace and home so we can spend maximum time with our four-year-old daughter Maisha Zarir who is in junior KG. Maisha loves to listen to bedtime stories, so my husband and I cooperate to complete household chores to make time for story telling every night. In the evenings we don’t spend overtime in our offices so we can take Maisha cycling and have long conversations with her while she cycles. On weekends, we make time to hit the pool.” — Parinaz Zarir Bhesania, admissions and events department, D.Y. Patil International School

Already a subscriber

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

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