– Dr. Amee Daxini is a dermatologist at Think Skin Clinic, Bengaluru My 14-year old daughter’s hair has been falling ever since we moved from Chennai to Bengaluru. The apartment complex we live in supplies only hard water to the bathrooms. I have tried different hair fall treatment shampoos but it hasn’t helped. Her hair is also thinning. Is persistent usage of hard water damaging her hair? — Sridevi Raghunathan, Bengaluru Hair fall in adolescents can also be due to nutritional deficiencies, especially of iron and protein. Increase her intake of proteins by adding pulses, sprouts and eggs to her daily diet. Beetroot, dates and walnut boost iron content and other vital minerals. As you rightly suspect, hard water does cause hair loss initially, but with time it should stabilise. Another reason could be dry scalp and dandruff which also causes hair fall. If so is the case, a good medicated anti-dandruff shampoo will help. My 13-year old daughter has a mole on her face which has been growing bigger over the years. Should we go for laser treatment or surgery? — Sahana Reddy, Hyderabad Moles tend to increase in size as a child grows. Unless it causes itching and you see sudden changes in its appearance such as redness and bleeding, you should not worry. But I strongly recommend you consult with a dermatologist if there is sudden increase in size. If it is a small mole, excision is a good idea. My ten-year old daughter has dandruff in shoulder-length hair. She regularly uses an anti-dandruff shampoo but it’s not helping. We have tried various oils, a home-made concoction of honey and oil, but nothing seems to be working. The dandruff has become flaky lately, and when she scratches, she tends to peel off her skin. Please advise.— Sheetal Jain, Pune Dandruff is caused by a variety of reasons such as superficial fungal infection and oily scalp as also environmental triggers such as hard water. That’s why most dermatologists recommend use of a medicated shampoo rather than over-the-counter brands. Consult with a skin specialist who will prescribe a suitable shampoo. But bear in mind that while medicated shampoos substantially reduce the dandruff; there is no real cure for it. My 12-year old daughter loves to order out especially burgers and pizzas. I’ve noticed that of late she is getting rashes on the skin. Is it an allergic reaction to some foods? — Vineeta Vikram, Mumbai She could be allergic to some foods, preservatives, and colorants. The best strategy is to observe and maintain a diary of what she has eaten 12/24 hours before manifestation of the rash. You will notice a pattern if it’s a food allergy. Once you discover which food is causing rash, avoid it for at least three months. You could also consult a skin specialist if the rashes persist.
(Sue Atkins is a UK-based internationally recognised parenting expert, broadcaster, speaker and author of Parenting Made Easy — How to Raise Happy Children (2012)) I gave birth to a baby boy six months ago and since then my elder child who is ten years old, has been behaving strangely. She has begun to throw tantrums, won’t complete her homework, and doesn’t follow instructions. She often says that she hates her little brother. How do I cope with this situation?— Sharada Menon, Bengaluru The arrival of a new brother or sister can be unsettling for a child of any age. Here’s my advice to cope with sibling jealousy: • Spend quality time with your daughter doing activities she enjoys. For instance play a board game, arrange a cook-out, story-telling sessions, etc. This will make her feel special, important and loved. • Dig out the family album and browse through her infancy photos reiterating her amazing transformation into a school-going child. • Explain to her that she is an important member of the family team. Solicit her help in caring for her baby brother. • Encourage other family members to reiterate their love and admiration for your daughter. This will build her self-esteem. • Put your ten-year-old first sometimes. ‘Tell’ your infant son he will have to wait a few moments while you listen/chat to your daughter. Any small gesture which demonstrates that she is #1 on your priority list will assuage feelings of neglect. • Acknowledge your daughter’s point of view. Occasional acknowledgements such as ‘Yes, babies do cry a lot don’t they?’ or ‘I bet you wish we could hang out alone’ will help her understand that ‘we are in this together’. • Communicate to her that her infant brother loves her. You could say: ‘Look how much he loves you’ and ‘He won’t stop watching how expertly you ride the bicycle’. • Assist her in her homework and project work while encouraging and praising her. My 13-year-old daughter refuses to step out of the house even though Unlock 4.0 has begun. We live in an apartment complex that now has very few occupants with most families having moved back to their native towns because of the pandemic. Though she agrees with me that she needs physical activity and exercise, she says she is scared of contracting the virus. Please advise. — Anxious mom, Chennai You need to have a heart-to-heart conversation. Listen patiently and non-judgmentally to her anxieties and fears about the changes of the past few months. Ask her to suggest outdoor activities that will make her feel safe. Don’t rush her into activities of your choice. You also need to join her in these activities to make her feel safe and support a new exercise routine. For instance you could go on a walk together every day or cycle together or do yoga exercises. My daughter is turning 11 next month. She feels very self-conscious about wearing tight tops and sleeveless clothes. How do I boost her…
As a consequence of global warming and melting polar ice caps, maritime archaeology has emerged as a highly specialised vocation – Paromita Sengupta With rising awareness of the importance of preserving and protecting coastal cities and towns, which could well be overwhelmed by rising sea levels due to the impact of global warming and melting polar ice caps, maritime and sub-sea, aka underwater archaeology has emerged as a highly specialised vocation. Study of the condition of submerged cities of the past can provide clues about ways and means to prevent history from repeating itself. Consequently oil and gas companies, national governments and conservation groups are increasingly engaging the services of underwater archaeologists to identify, map, inventorise and discover ways and means to protect underwater archaeological sites without adversely affecting commercial shipping, seabed mining, commercial fishing, oil and gas drilling and recreational cruises among other industries. Although maritime archaeologists employ the field and research and exploration modus operandi of conventional archaeologists, their aquatic work environments require them to acquire professional diving experience and become familiar with scuba diving equipment. Marine archaeologists use magnetic and acoustic remote sensing equipment to locate submerged sites, and acoustic, infrared, and optical equipment to study them. In addition, they conduct research using ship logs, seafarers’ narratives and legal records to write reports, make recommendations about archaeological sites and present research papers in academic journals. Love of the ocean, scuba diving, and affinity for scientific field work, are aptitudes required for success in this emerging 21st century profession. Study programmes Only a handful of universities worldwide offer degree programmes in maritime archaeology. Most practicing maritime archaeologists tend to have conventional Masters and doctorates in anthropology/archaeology and invest in acquiring field experience in related disciplines such as oceanography, history, geology and chemistry. Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in archaeology/history are eligible to apply for the postgraduate diploma programme in underwater archaeology offered by Pune’s Deccan College of Postgraduate and Research Institute in collaboration with the National Institute of Oceanography, Goa. Among reputed foreign universities offering postgraduate degree programmes in underwater archaeology are the Alexandria (Egypt), Barcelona (Spain), Bournemouth (UK), East Carolina (USA) and Flinders (Australia) universities. Pay & perks In academia, a research assistant with a postgraduate diploma in underwater archaeology or a Ph D student (junior research fellow) can expect to start at Rs.25,000-30,000 per month, while a post-doctoral fellow is likely to earn Rs.40,000-50,000. On the other hand, conservation and oil and gas companies offer start-up packages of Rs.50,000-100,000 per month. Moreover, underwater archaeologists can also work in education, research and development, and the tourism industry. “For youth inclined towards the seafaring life, this is an exciting career option which offers the satisfaction of contributing to the preservation of historically rich sub-sea archaeological and shipwreck sites. India has a coastline of over 7,000-km and a 5,000-year-old maritime history — ideal conditions for underwater exploration and research. The current focus of national governments on underwater heritage tourism and writing histories of their countries’ maritime traditions has generated…
Working out at home without supervision and proper equipment has its perils. And one of the most common complaints of people of all age groups exercising at home is knee pain – Monojit Ghosh – Monojit Ghosh is a former national level gymnast and fitness trainer/coach at Art Corner Gymnastics, Bengaluru Although under Unlock 4.0 the Central government has allowed the reopening of gyms and fitness centres, most people are hesitant about visiting them, preferring to exercise indoors at home. Living room hops, skips and jumps and spot running are all great ways to keep fit. But working out at home without supervision and proper equipment has its perils. For instance, most people are unaware that exercising on a hard floor tends to cause pain in the heels and knees. Indeed, the most common complaint I hear from adults as well as adolescents exercising at home is: knee pain. “The knee is one of the largest and most used joints of the body. It is the immediate and most important connection between the ankles and hips. While ankles and feet are the first-level contact of any stress, the knee joints are force dissipaters,” says Dr. Lavanya P. Kumar, sports scientist and physiotherapist at the RNR FIT-Gymnastics Academy, Bengaluru. According to Dr. Kumar, when the knee joints are subjected to stress and strain over a period of time, it results in wear and tear of the cartilage surrounding the bony structures, femur, tibia and patella. This in turn leads to early degeneration or a type of arthritis of the cartilage around the articulating surfaces of femur and tibia. “Sometimes, the cause of knee pain can also be tightness of the muscles that attach to the bones near the articulating surface. When these muscles pull on the attachment, there can be sharp knee pain that can limit us from performing our daily activities,” says Dr. Kumar. Knee pain afflicts people of all ages. However, children and adults who are physically active such as athletes and fitness enthusiasts as well as the overweight and obese are more prone to experiencing knee pain. Teens and preteens are also susceptible to knee pain because of overuse, an imbalance in muscle strength and flexibility, and growth-related diseases. Another likely cause of knee pain is excessive exercise and improper exercise techniques. For instance, sudden twists, inappropriate or failed attempts in landing on the ground during a workout exercise can cause nasty injuries such as knee dislocation, ligament tears, fractures, and bone bruises. Exercises such as running and jumping most often cause general knee pain. Dr. Kumar advises children and adults experiencing knee pain to do a simple test exercise to ascertain if it’s an inflammation or structural damage. “If you are able to extend your knees straight without pain, it’s an inflammation. It’s structural damage if it hurts and the knees are visibly swollen or you are not able to get into a squatting position with your knees at 90-degree angles,” explains Kumar. Preventing knee pain/injury Maintain…
(6 servings) Ingredients 50 gm dried apricots 50 gm soft butter 50 gm sugar 2 tbsp condensed milk 50 gm rolled oats 85 gm flour Preparation guide Heat oven to 150°C. Mix the butter and sugar in a bowl. Add condensed milk, and beat well. Now add oats and apricots, and mix well. Finally, add the flour and mix well. Bring the dough together into one big ball, then shape into cookies. Bake for 25-30 minutes until Health benefit. Oats are rich in antioxidants, fibre and nutrients such as phosphorous, magnesium, iron and zinc. They provide energy and improve cholesterol levels and control diabetes. Pumpkin cookies Thumbprint cookies
(25 servings) Ingredients 180 gm toasted almonds 100 gm maida 90 gm wheat flour 60 gm sugar 180 gm unsalted butter 100 gm chopped dark or milk chocolate 1 tsp oil Preparation guide Grind almonds roughly. Add flour, sugar, and a pinch of salt to the almonds and grind for another 20-30 seconds. Add butter and grind again. Tip the dough out onto a work surface and knead by hand until smooth. Roll the dough into 25 small balls, then transfer to a baking tray. Using your thumb or the handle of a wooden spoon, make an indent in the centre of each piece of dough (that’s the thumbprint). Place the cookie tray in the fridge and chill for 30 mins before baking. Bake at 180°C for 15-20 minutes. Melt the chocolate in a double boiler and pour a teaspoon of the melted chocolate over the cooled cookie (into the indent). Serve after chocolate has set. Health benefit. Chocolate contains cancer-fighting antioxidants while almonds have Vitamin E that promotes healthy skin and hair. Oat cookies Pumpkin cookies
(10 servings) Ingredients ¼ cup rolled oats ½ cup mashed (medium-size) banana ½ cup cooked and mashed pumpkin 2 tbsp sugar 1 tsp vanilla essence 1 tsp baking powder ¼ cup chopped walnuts ¼ tsp cinnamon ¼ tsp nutmeg ¼ tsp ginger powder ¼ tsp salt Preparation guide Preheat oven to 180°C. Mash the banana in a bowl. Add the remaining ingredients. Blend well and knead the dough. Measure two tablespoons of the dough into your hand and press the mixture into cookie shapes. Place the cookies on a baking tray one inch apart. Bake for 20 minutes until golden brown. Serve immediately! Note: If the batter is too wet, add more oats, about 2 tbsp at a time until you get the right consistency. Health benefit. Pumpkin is rich in immunity-boosting vitamins and anti-oxidants and improves ocular health. It is also rich in vitamin C, iron and folate. Thumbprint cookies Oat cookies
Once the seat of the famous Vijayanagar kingdom, this state offers a balance of natural attractions (forests and wildlife) and architectural splendour The southern state of Karnataka (pop.64 million), once the seat of the famous Vijayanagar kingdom, is a composite tourism destination which offers temples, wildlife, trekking, health spas and unspoilt beaches — an excellent, even if under-promoted balance of natural attractions (forest and wildlife) and architectural splendour. A narrow coastal state sheltered to the east by the monsoon-drenched Western Ghats enclosing a drier, cooler interior plateau, Karnataka is a major producer of coffee, spices and betel nut, and supplies 60 percent of the country’s silk. The capital, Bengaluru (pop. 11 million), is the centre of India’s software and technology industries and one of Asia’s fastest growing metros. Heir to a rich legacy of stone temples, imposing mosques and natural wildlife habitats, Karnataka’s history has been coloured by the religious and cultural practices of several dynasties including the Mauryas, Chalukyas, Cholas and the Gangas. But it was during the reign of the Hoysala dynasty (10-14th century) that many of the architectural marvels including the intricately carved temples at Somnathpur, Halebid and Belur were built. In the 14th century for a brief period Karnataka was under Muslim rule when Mohammed Bin Tughlaq defeated the Hoysalas. But it was annexed again; this time by the Telugu princes Harihara and Bukka of the Vijayanagar dynasty. With Hampi as their capital the Vijayanagar kings ruled Karnataka until 1565, when it was plundered by the united forces of the Deccan sultanates. With the fall of the Vijayanagar empire, the Wodeyars (who were in the service of the Vijayanagar rulers until then) established their rule over a large part of southern India with Srirangapatna as their capital until 1761 when Hyder Ali, one of their generals deposed them. But the Wodeyars were enthroned again in 1799 after the British defeated Tipu Sultan, Hyder Ali’s famous son. The major attractions of this peninsular state are the Mysore palace built by the Wodeyars, the plantation hills of Kodagu (Coorg), the exquisitely sculpted temples at Belur and Halebid, the 55 ft. high statue of a Jain saint in Shravanabelagola, Gokarna beach, the breathtaking ruins of the Vijayanagar kingdom at Hampi and the ancient caves and temples of Badami, set in a stunning red cliffside. Karnataka also boasts some of the largest jungle tracts south of the Vindhyas and the majestic river Cauvery that has its source in Kodagu (Coorg). Comments Vasanthi Panchakshari, a self-employed software engineer in the garden city and a regular traveller within the state: “The best thing about Karnataka is its contrasting cultures. At one end is the ultra-modern IT city of Bangalore, on the other the less-known natural habitats and agricultural belts. And of course there are the awesome ruins of Hampi on the banks of River Tungabhadra. The biggest surprise to travellers is the presence of Israeli and French restaurants in Hampi, one of the world’s most ancient archaeological sites, especially since they don’t…
Antanaclasis is a figure of speech wherein the same word is used in two contrasting meanings in one sentence – Roopa Banerjee Philosopher-politician and one of the founding fathers of the United States of America, Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) famously said: “We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.” This statement is striking because of the ingenious use of the word ‘hang’ to convey two different meanings within the same sentence. The first ‘hang’ means ‘stay’ or ‘stand’, while the second time it refers to being ‘hanged’ or ‘executed’. This dual use of a word or phrase where it means something different each time it appears in a sentence is known as antanaclasis. Derived from the Greek word, antanáklasis which literally translates as reflection, it’s a figure of speech in which one word is used in two contrasting (and sometimes comic) meanings in one sentence. This wordplay makes antanaclasis a popular choice for slogans and maxims, especially in the advertising world. Antanaclasis is also a type of pun, although not all puns are antanaclasis. To qualify as antanaclasis, the word must be repeated within the same sentence. Puns don’t require either. Also, a pun can be homophonic i.e, it can be formed with two words that sound alike. Puns can also be homographic — formed by words with different meanings, but spelt the same. Antanaclasis cannot be homophonic; it has to be homographic, as with the different meanings of the word ‘hang’ in Benjamin Franklin’s statement. In short, all antanaclasis are puns, but not all puns are antanaclasis. Playwright William Shakespeare had a particular fondness for antanaclasis. He used it with equal adeptness for comedy and tragedy. In Henry V, the clownish Ancient Pistol declares: “To England will I steal, and there I’ll steal.” In the first usage, steal refers to sneak away and in the second, to an act of theft. The bard uses this literary device again in Othello. Towards the end of the play, Othello enters Desdemona’s chamber with the intention to kill her because he is convinced that she is unfaithful to him. A candle burns in her bedroom. Othello says: “Yet she must die, else she’ll betray more men. Put out the light, and then put out the light.” Obviously, the first ‘light’ refers to the candle, while the second to Desdemona’s life. Antanaclasis lends itself beautifully to chorus or refrain of songs because of its witty repetition. For instance in the song Sir Duke by Stevie Wonder, the lines: “Just because a record has a groove, Don’t make it in the groove.” The first ‘groove’ refers to the record grooves that the needles of records run through to create sound. The second time it refers to making people dance. Interestingly, even the music genre of rap uses antanaclasis to create impact. For instance the song Iggy SZN by Australian recording artist Iggy Azalea has this sentence: “I’m drinking PJ on a PJ in my PJs” Here, the first PJ stands for…
PW invited parents of KC Public School, Jammu, to share insights on new skills they are encouraging their children to acquire during these unprecedented stay-at-home times “Life has not been the same since March this year and may not be for some years to come. It has been dreary for our children — Amodhini (18) and Aditya (13) — to remain confined within the home, away from all the amusement and fun. But I always remind them that although Covid-19 has disrupted life in many ways, it has also given us a golden opportunity to strengthen family ties, spirituality, develop healthy eating habits, catch up on reading and improve our meditation, gardening and cooking skills. I have always believed that life can be best lived with a well-stocked library and a garden to tend.” — Dr. Arvind Karwani, additional secretary (home department), Civil Secretariat, Jammu & Kashmir “The Covid crisis has upended many aspects of teenagers’ ‘normal’ lives which once started with the morning sprint to catch the school bus and ending late evening at a tuition centre. To adapt to the ‘new normal’, I encourage my son — Vihaan (14) — to utilise this time to develop his linguistic, oratory and social skills. Vihaan participated in seven online Model United Nations conferences and even bagged two delegate awards. The conferences enabled him to interact with students from diverse backgrounds and nationalities. Moreover, it helped him to learn to accept other views and opinions and enhanced his critical thinking skills.” — Dr. Vanilla Chopra, HOD and senior consultant, department of critical care medicine, Narayana Superspeciality Hospital, Jammu “After schools shut down following the Covid-19 outbreak, I noticed that my children — Sulaksh (14) and Mrinmay (12) — were becoming progressively restless. I encouraged them to invest some time in our home-made masks project and distribution effort among frontline warriors. They even helped us distribute rations to slum dwellers and migrants. Community service has helped them develop a sense of empathy and compassion for the less privileged. Even feeding stray animals has become a part of their daily agenda. Moreover, they have signed up for online painting courses and engage in extra-curriculars including baking and needlework. Healthy eating habits and a daily fitness regimen are also helping them build strong immunity.” — Sunaina Mehta, deputy commissioner, State Taxes, Jammu & Kashmir government “The subtle ways of family bonding in the Covid era have come through a variety of collective activities with my daughter Naveya (17). The most memorable activity has been redecorating and rearranging our home together. Brainstorming interior design ideas has been more than just a cerebral exercise for all of us. It has helped us appreciate and admire each other’s efforts towards the final outcome. Experimenting with new recipes and cooking exotic meals make up another frequent together activity. Finding joy in simple pleasures of life and cherishing these moments has been our greatest takeaway.” — Premalata Patial, chief accounts officer, Jammu & Kashmir government
(James M. Lang is professor of English and director of the Center for Teaching Excellence, Assumption College, Massachusetts, USA) Millions of working parents have spent months trapped in their homes with their children. Many are trying to do their jobs remotely in the constant presence of their kids, and they are desperate for some peace and quiet Many mothers and fathers have sought any available remedy that would enable them to do their jobs and fight cabin fever — including some who have given their children a free pass on video games, social media and television. One survey of more than 3,000 parents found that electronic screen time of their children had increased by 500 percent during the pandemic. Screen time rules In case you missed it, when the World Health Organization released daily screen time guidelines for children in April 2019, it suggested tight limits. Infants should get none at all, and kids between the ages of 1-5 should spend not more than an hour per day staring at devices. WHO does not prescribe specific limits for older children, but some research has suggested that excessive screen gazing by teenagers could be linked to mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. Kids were already spending far more time than recommended with screens before the pandemic, and had been, for years. As far back as the late 1990s, children between the ages of 3-5 were averaging two and a half hours per day watching screens. And, naturally, what screen time rules families had been enforcing have been on hold since at least mid-March 2020, when most US communities entered the era of social distancing. Prone to distraction Should parents worry if their children are spending more time than ever online to learn, play and while away the hours until they can freely study and socialize again? The short answer is no — as long as they don’t allow pandemic screen time habits to morph into permanent screen time habits. Shortly before the Coronavirus led to schools across the country suspending in-person instruction for safety reasons, I wrapped up my upcoming book on the power of digital devices to distract students from their learning In Distracted: Why Students Can’t Focus and What You Can Do About It, I argue that trying to eliminate distractions from classroom is the wrong approach. The human brain is naturally prone to distraction, as scientists and philosophers have been attesting for centuries. The problem with distraction in school is not the distractions themselves. Children and adults alike can use social media or view screens in perfectly healthy ways. The problem occurs when excessive attention to screens crowds out other learning behaviors. A child watching YouTube on her phone in the classroom or during study time is not developing her writing skills or mastering new vocabulary. Teachers should consider how to cultivate better attention to those behaviors, rather than trying to eliminate all distractions. Likewise, parents should not view screens as the enemy of their children,…
(Dr. Ketan Bharadva is a Surat (Gujarat)-based consultant pediatrician and President, Infant & Young Child Feeding Chapter of Indian Academy of Pediatrics, and President, Human Milk Banking Association) There is much debate within the medical fraternity about the impact of the Covid-19 virus on the health and well-being of infected new mothers and possibilities of transmission to their new-born infants through breastfeeding and in rare cases, reverse infection to the mother The rampaging Covid-19 pandemic has created an unprecedented health emergency worldwide and there are numerous questions and anxieties about its spread and impact on children, adults, the elderly and new mothers and infants. Recently there has been much debate within the medical fraternity about the impact of the Covid-19 virus on the health and well-being of infected mothers and possibilities of transmission to their new-born infants through breastfeeding and in rare cases, reverse infection to the mother. Strong maternal instincts naturally modify the behaviour of new/lactating mothers prompting them to be selective in diet, socialisation, careful about health and hygiene, etc. This already primed mental-emotional state of vulnerable lactating mothers in the post-delivery period has been exacerbated by panic induced by social media about the Covid-19 pandemic. Moreover, lockdown and social distancing rules have added to anxieties about the virus at a time when many lactating mothers are low on self-confidence. The first collateral damage of such disturbed mental state is breastfeeding. Therefore lactating mothers need counselling during this unprecedented pandemic to build confidence and enable them to make informed decisions. In this connection it’s pertinent to note that breast milk and human milk (expressed breast milk and donor human milk) are critical for improved neonatal outcomes at all times, including emergencies and natural calamities. Irrational promotion and use of formula milk, bottles and teats should be discouraged. Does Covid-19 get transmitted by breast milk from infected mother to child? The Covid-19 virus has not yet been found to transmit from mother to infant via breast milk. Covid RNA is found in a very low proportion in breast milk of Covid-19 positive mothers. Moreover breast milk is hostile to viral survival within it. Therefore whatever viral particles are found in breast milk are to a great extent inactive and cannot overcome the defence mechanisms of infants and damage organs. Many components of breast milk inactivate other viruses; they may also be effective against the Coronavirus. The main route of this virus transmission is the respiratory tract. Transmission via oral route is negligible. How safe is breastfeeding during Covid-19? The advice of apex health bodies worldwide is that mothers with suspected or confirmed infection should be encouraged to initiate and continue to breastfeed. This advice is based on weighing risks versus benefits from current scientific evidence relating to the Coronavirus, observations from past epidemics of other viruses, established advantages of standard breastfeeding practices, observations that Covid-19 infection in infants is rarely serious, and the established disadvantages of formula or animal milk. The World Health Organization recommends infected mothers to continue…
With pandemic-related anxiety having become pervasive, people of all ages are developing diverse coping strategies to beat prolonged stay-athome blues. In this specially curated cover story, the PW editorial team presents enjoyable DIY activity options for children and parents – Archana N, Mini P & Cynthia John Even as the country has begun Unlock 4.0 in the ominous shadow of the Covid-19 pandemic, life is nowhere near normal. Schools, colleges, restaurants, cinemas, and parks are still shuttered and the great majority of urban India’s children and adults is learning and working from home even as millions are battling job loss, pay cuts and remuneration delay. With pandemic-related anxieties pervasive and most families preferring to stay indoors despite lifting of stringent lockdown restrictions, people of all ages are developing diverse coping strategies to beat prolonged stay-at-home blues. A rising number of households are taking to yoga, exercise, cooking, music and embarking on DIY (do-it-yourself) projects and activities to learn new skills that can keep body and mind meaningfully engaged and perhaps transform into a post-Covid business or vocation opportunity. Most psychologists and counsellors advise that engaging in creative DIY activities (formerly known as hobbies) is a good option to counter lockdown stress and anxiety. “There is widespread negativity and anxiety within middle class households about the Covid-19 pandemic and its consequential socialisation restrictions. A good option for parents and children is to engage in constructive DIYn activities and learn new skills. The thrill of doing an enjoyable DIY activity releases dopamine-like neurotransmitters in the brain resulting in uplifting emotions,” says Hyderabad-based psychologist Dr. Geetha Challa, founder of Manojagrithi, an NGO working in the area of mental health. In particular, getting children interested in positive DIY activities is the best antidote to rising digital addiction. A recent study led by Dr. Ashok Gupta, medical superintendent and senior professor, department of paediatrics, JK Lone Hospital, Jaipur, on the effect of Covid-19 and lockdown restrictions on children in India, found that 65 percent of the 203 children surveyed reported mild to severe digital addiction and 70.7 percent with high screen exposure displayed behavioural problems such as “tantrums, irritability, stubbornness and rudeness”. “The outcome of digital addiction is aggression, lack of concentration, irritability, disobedience, reduced social interaction, depression and anxiety. Engaging and involving children in constructive activities such as gardening, reading, playing music or art, develops their positive energy and concentration, memory and sensory skills. Moreover, with children and parents saving on long commuting hours to school and work, there is more time to engage in DIY activities,” says Gargi (who chooses not to use a surname), a Bangalore-based freelance psychologist. Dr. Challa and Gargi’s advice to utilise the forced lockdown and prompt children to learn hands-on skills is endorsed in the recently released National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which makes a strong case for teaching school children vocational skills and art and crafts. “Every student will take a fun course, during grades VI-VIII that gives a survey and hands-on experience of a sampling of…
Children displaying social anxiety symptoms may be at a higher risk of suffering depression in the future, warn researchers of Binghamton University, USA, in a study published in the Journal of Adolescence (September). Study co-author Holly Kobezak says the study takes off from previous research which indicated that children with social anxiety symptoms are at high risk of developing depression, as are offspring of mothers diagnosed with depression. “Our study takes what is already known one step further by suggesting that the combination of anxiety and depression may be even more insidious than the presence of either risk factor singly,” says Kobezak, lab manager at the Mood Disorders Institute at Binghamton University. The researchers invited 250 eight-14-year-old children whose mothers either did or did not have a history of major depressive disorder (MDD) to complete questionnaires measuring social anxiety and depression symptoms. The children were reassessed at six-month intervals over a period of two years. The results showed that high levels of social anxiety prompted increase of depression symptoms over time, but only among children of mothers with a history of MDD.
Prolonged confinement at home because of the Covid-19 pandemic has prompted behavioural changes in many children, indicates a recent survey conducted by S.P. Robotic Works, a Chennai-based edtech company. The survey conducted with 3,600 sample parents and an equal number of children in the age group of 7-17 years in major Indian cities found that sleep patterns of half the children had been disturbed post the lockdown with 40 percent “fearful of the situation” with 61 percent reporting concentration difficulties. The survey highlights a 123 percent drop in concentration levels among children whose electronic screen time doubled during the lockdown. The survey also reveals that parents from Bengaluru, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and mini-metros are sceptical about sending their children to school, even if it is declared safe, with 82-86 percent unwilling to take the chance to risk the health of their children.
Early identification and treatment of Covid-19-related health anxiety is vital to avoiding long-term mental health problems in children and young adults, reveals a study published in Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy (September). Researchers at the University of Bath (UK) say that health anxieties can be triggered by lifestyle changes like returning to school. They say that children need time to readjust to the new routine and cope with emotions after prolonged stay-at-home periods. Comments Dr. Jo Daniels clinical psychologist at Bath University and co-author of the study: “Children are not immune to worries about their health, or the health of those around them. It is essential that we are able to recognise when normal concerns about Covid become more problematic.” Daniels says signs of child stress may include tummy ache, sleep disorders; and in those highly stressed by health-related anxiety, excessive hand-washing, exaggerated avoidance of touching objects, or repeated reassurance seeking from adults, in addition to the usual symptoms of stress and worry.
Deficiency of vitamin D increases the likelihood of being infected with the Covid-19 virus, say researchers at the University of Chicago Medicine. The research team evaluated 489 UChicago Medicine patients whose vitamin D levels were measured within a year before being tested for Covid-19. Patients with untreated vitamin D deficiency were almost twice as likely to test positive for Covid-19 as compared to patients who had sufficient levels of this vitamin. “Vitamin D is important to the function of the immune system and vitamin D supplements have previously been shown to lower the risk of viral respiratory tract infections. Our statistical analysis suggests this may be true for the Covid-19 infection,” says Dr. David Meltzer, chief of hospital medicine at UChicago Medicine and lead author of the study. According to Dr. Meltzer understanding whether treating Vitamin D deficiency changes Covid-19 risk could be of great importance. “Vitamin D is inexpensive, generally very safe to take, and can be widely scaled,” he says
I read your cover story on how lockdown anger is disrupting family harmony (PW August). I agree with you that parents must develop coping strategies to manage lockdown anger and create happy and conducive environments for children. However, in your advice on anger management, you have missed including the importance of parents developing resilience — capability to adapt in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy and stress and most important, bounce back. With the virus showing no signs of abating, the ability of parents to cope with crises and return to pre-crisis status quickly is what will enable them to support and encourage their children during these difficult times. In fact it is resilience which will help them take bold steps to ensure family well-being. These bold steps include allowing children to start physical outdoor activity with prescribed safety measures. Staying shut indoors is causing untold mental health damage to adults and children, as well as leading to health problems such as obesity and sleep disorders. Coronavirus-linked stress and limitations are causing far more anxiety in families than the virus itself. Recently, a city police commissioner stated that only 5 percent of Covid-19 infected cases need hospitalisation. I think this disease is being blown out of proportion, and limitations on movement of people is causing untold damage to families. Rema Shishir, Bengaluru Recipes for teens please! I enjoy reading and trying out your recipes. I particularly loved your last issue’s recommendations to use leftover rice to cook simple and healthy treats. It would be great if you can feature simple recipes which teenage children can rustle up. Cooking is an important life skill, and these stay-at-home times make it ideal for children to learn the culinary arts. Tara Sigamani, Mumbai Challenging time for parents Thanks for your cover story ‘Don’t let lockdown anger disrupt domestic harmony’ (PW August). Pandemic and lockdown anxiety is driving people of all ages over the edge and throwing family harmony into disarray. It’s an especially difficult time for parents. In the best of times parenting is challenging. Now the prolonged schools closure and lockdown constraints are testing parents’ patience and energy reserves. Managing children’s online learning schedules and keeping them meaningfully engaged every day is not an easy task. No wonder parents are losing their cool and facing anger management issues. It was good to read expert advice about the simple and healthy ways parents can manage anger and improve relationships with children and other family members. Kalpana Kumar, Chennai Use lockdown time for new learning Your Resources story on online education providers was informative and useful (PW August). Over the past three months, my children and I have enroled in Udemy’s online courses. My daughter has signed up for a watercolours painting course and my son is learning the basics of magic. I have just completed a course on sign language because I’ve always wanted to volunteer at a school for the hearing impaired. The lockdown has given many of us the perfect opportunity…
The prime objective of British historian-educationist Thomas Babington Macaulay aka Lord Macaulay’s famous Minute on Indian Education (1835) was to produce note-taking clerks for perpetuation of British raj over India. In this document, which initiated the process of wiping out traditional Indian education that included vocational education and training (VET), Lord Macaulay famously asserted, “all the historical information which has been collected from all the books written in the Sanskrit language is less valuable than what may be found in the most paltry abridgement used at preparatory schools in England”. Since then, a systemic bias against vocational and skills training in Indian education has endured despite Mahatma Gandhi, who led India’s unprecedented freedom struggle from the exploitative rule of imperial Great Britain, advocating “head, heart and hands” education. The Indian economy has paid a heavy price for this neglect. A mere 4 percent of India’s 420 million labour force has received formal VET (cf. 30 percent in China). The recently released National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 attempts to set right this prolonged prejudice against hands-on VET, and mandates compulsory vocational education for all class VI-VIII children. It states that students should take courses in important vocational crafts, such as carpentry, electric and metal work, gardening, pottery, etc and intern with local craftsmen such as carpenters, gardeners, potters, artists, etc. NEP 2020 sets an ambitious target of at least 50 percent of all children and youth learning a vocational skill/trade by 2025. However, even as the nation waits for the ambitious reforms proposed by NEP 2020 to be implemented, educators and parenting experts advise parents and teachers to avail the opportunity presented by the unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic-induced national lockdown and closure of schools, to encourage children to engage in constructive Do-It-Yourself (DIY) activities. There’s unanimity within educators and counselors that enjoyable DIY activities enable children and families to beat lockdown blues and anxiety. Hands-on learning boosts problem-solving and decision-making skills and encourages creativity. In this issue’s specially curated cover story the PW editorial team presents enjoyable DIY options for children and parents. There’s a lot else in this information-packed issue. Check out the Early Childhood essay ‘Breastfeeding during Covid-19’ by well-known pediatrician Dr. Ketan Bharadva who addresses safety questions about whether mothers with suspected or confirmed Covid-19 infections should continue to breastfeed their infants. And in our Academic Advantage feature, Rajiv Kacholia, a former US debating champion, details the benefits of developing children’s debate skills.
