Anxiety of the Parents : When it’s Time for their Children to go to School

Children are the most beautiful creations of God. But in today’s competitive world, this creation is getting diminished gradually. Everybody wants their children to be the best but nobody does the needful. One of the most important and the first and foremost step is to get a proper schooling for the children.

  The anxiety of the parents, as well as the children during their schooling time, is something very normal. The parents become more anxious than their children thinking if their children will be able to cope up with the entirely new environment, or they might be bullied, or they might get punished, or they might get hurt or they might get anxious themselves. Several things run through a parent's mind while they think of the schooling of their children. Being a parent is one of the most precious as well as the toughest task but being anxious is just a negative add on to the entire thing.

 From waking up in the early morning till the time she goes to sleep at night, the parents go through the toughest phase of their lives. A lot of things go in their mind, one of them being the anxiety of the schooling of her child. But this feeling is normal during a new phase or a new transition of life.

  A child is a young soul and many things do not come into his/her head. A kid just goes with the flow but the parents, especially the mothers go through a lot of it when it’s time for their children to go to school. They go through tough time thinking about facts like -

• Will the child be able to fit in?
• Are their clothes well ironed?
• How will the teacher be?
• What if the kid misses the school bus?
• What if the child does not understand what is taught in school and is left behind?
• What if something bad happens at the school?
• Tiffin related problems.
• Bullying issues.

These are the most basic problems that make a parent anxious when it is the time for their children to go to school. But then again the fact pops up in the head that schooling and education is one of the basic needs of the children.


Overcoming the problems :

Overcoming these problems is absolutely mandatory for the parents. If the parents themselves get this much anxious then the child will face even more problems to adapt to the new situations and environments. The parents should motivate their children and make themselves understand that this is one of the most important things of life and that in this way  not only will the child get educated but also become more and more social and make new friends. They will get to learn more social skills and will also get valuable opportunities in the near future. They will also be acknowledged for their talents will which will also boost up the self-confidence in them which was earlier lacking.

 Hence, to get released from the stress and anxiety, the parents need to get a positive mindset first and then give that boost to their children also. This way both will remain positive and overcome the anxiety together.

Parent Anxiety : Formal School Admission Time and Choosing the Right School for the Toddler

Children are indeed a blessing to human nature. They are meant to be well nourished and looked after. But on the other hand, being a parent is not so easy. With this great blessing come big responsibilities as well. For the upbringing of the children, the first and foremost thing that is to be done is giving a proper education to the child.

But, how will the parent know as to what is the right time for their children to be admitted to any school? As per several research works, it has been found out that the best time to admit  a child to a primary school is usually between the age of three to five since that is the time when their social, motor and other skills start developing. That is the prime time when a child can learn and understand whatever he or she is being taught. At that point of age, some children are emotional, linguistically as well as physically advanced whereas some aren't.

Emotional Support :

  Not only from school but at that point of time the child needs mental and emotional support from his parents as well. Admitting a child later in school may prove to be troublesome for the kid as he might not be able to cope up with whatever was being taught in the school. Year loss is also one of the major factors. These are mostly the major reasons as to why should a child be admitted to a school at the proper age.

Selecting the best school for your little angel :

  But how can one be so sure as to which school will be the best for their children? Opting for the best school is one of the major decisions that a parent has to take. If the child is admitted to a wrong school then he may have to pay for it through his entire lifetime. Hence, selecting a proper school is a must for every parent.

While choosing a school, certain things should be kept in mind.

• The parent should be able to look under the label whether that is a public or a private school.
• The demographic measure of that particular school.
• Visiting all the schools yourself to get a proper knowledge about it instead of googling.
• Following your own instincts might sound weird but it actually works.
• While selecting a school, the parent should be generous enough instead of going overboard.
• Several options should be taken into consideration.
• Sorting out the child’s unique needs.
• Focus should be mainly on the four fit factors : (what the child learns, how he learns, practical             matters and all the social issues)
• Setting a priority on the basis of what the child needs.

These are some of the factors that the parents need to keep in mind instead of getting anxious. Selecting a proper school for their children and enrolling them in that school at the right time and right age is one of the major decisions which a parent has to make.

Preschool Teachers can do Wonder for the Children

Preschool teachers can do wonder for the children

The parents do struggle a lot to make their 3-year-old child get ready, to put on his jacket. But a preschool teacher has to manage many kids. He/she just takes less than three minutes to put on their clothes and take them to the playground.

Then what is the special quality she has? 

The kids are more prompt and quick to respond to the strangers than their parents. The teachers reinforce different types of techniques to help the little ones acquire knowledge and skills. As a result, the kids learn to keep the classrooms clean and tidy. The teachers make their tasks more entertaining and pleasure some. The preschool teachers have a lot of experience every year with the difficult and demanding age group.

Specialty of the teachers and their secrets:

• The kindergarten kids do not lag behind - 

The children seem to hinder the attempts of their parents to go to school every morning. But quickly they get ready when the teacher declares that the time is over and return from the playground. The parents tell their kids to vacate the playground but stop and start conversing with other parents. But when a teacher says something, they understand that she means it.
It suggests that offering a couple or two soft yet strong warning will help in proper all over development of children.

Kids always make a response to signals which they hear or calculate. A child may have a problem saying goodbye. But very soon she will develop and adapt the routine.

The teachers can play the same notes on the piano every day as a sign that the free play is over. Even they can blink the lights in the room, use an egg timer or bell to show the kids that the time is over. Counting too motivates the kids to complete the picking up the process in a rush. Compliments and achievements on their individual efforts are far better than earthly and material baits.

Also allowing the child to compete against herself improves her speed and gives an immense learning possibility. Timings should be maintained in case of getting ready for school, studies, and bed. Charts and graphs help to assess the child’s speed on separate days and urge her to win against her best time.

• Kids can hold the scissors and pens much before the parents expect - 

Many parents hold their children pencils, paper and kid safe scissors to help their children advance their motor and writing skills. The preschool teachers first make the kids acquire the skill in basic movements such as grasping nuts, small blocks with the help of stringing beads, kitchen tongs, rolling out play clay and cutting them with scissors.

As soon as the child has mastered it, he can cut thin little different colored strips of paper. Once he has completed his cutting, he considers himself competent and confident.

As far as writing is concerned, at first the kids manifest interests in using pencils and want to go beyond loops, scribbles, and doodles. Very soon he feels defeated that he cannot write alphabets. The teacher must continue to practice his holding of pencils like a mature person. The teacher must also allow him to copy or record anything he wishes to jot down.

• Routines and structure are important for cat naps - 

The kid along with other children goes for a nap as the other children are performing the same things. As a result, it is achieved with minimal effort in the preschools than at home. Many times the impatient and restless kids cover their eyes with a blanket and they do not search around.

• Importance of children’s attention - 

Instead of uplifting the voice for getting child's attention, it is better preferred to raise the voice for singing. If the children are not paying attention to a story telling, just converting it in a singing mode will let them listen to the story. The teacher applies various verbal strategies like whispering, quietly making facial expressions receive the attention of children. They even use visual clues like asking the children to do the same as shown by them or placing a hand up in the air or touching their finger to their noses.

Once received the kid’s full attention, the teachers keep their pronouncements short, clear and to the point.

• The child wants to dress himself all alone - 

Many kids wish to have the feelings of self-confidence, independence and achievements by dressing themselves. The child learns to organize his clothing the night before, labeling the dresses, habit of keeping the costumes and uniforms when not under time pressure. So, the child will learn to differentiate between the frontal side and the back.

• Play is the medium of education for the preschoolers - 

While giving homework, the teachers behave in such a way that it seems to the children more of fun and entertaining than simple route learning. The teachers through literacy project, effortlessly use letters in projects and games like counting books and customized mathematics.

 The child takes pleasure because he has his exclusive private weapon, an institution of wholehearted love waiting at home for him...!

Selecting the Right Preschool for Your Child

What is an Ideal Preschool?

It is a great responsibility on the parts of the family especially parents to select the right preschools. A good preschool motivates innovation and beneficial social communication. It gives support and close association making the children secured, safe and recognized.

There are various preschools and it is the onus of the parents to choose the good preschool from the right program.

Types of preschools and its functions :

• Public Preschool

The children receive a flavour of "big-kid" school plus school regulations, buses, elder students which can mitigate their transformation to kindergarten. Many public schools combine both growing and disabled preschoolers. A few programs are free of cost or provided at a low cost to the below poverty line families or to students with special necessity. All public preschools do not provide the preschool program. Priorities and preferences are given to in-district families and also to students who are of special needs. The students gain pre-academic skills from guaranteed and certified schoolteachers. They learn important school rules and educational routines in a beneficial surrounding which they love.

• Faith Based Preschool

The teaching is provided to the students through the synagogue, church or different religious institutions. The institution works in accordance with the principles of that religion. Together with the usual preschool curriculum, faith-based preschools foster the children’s spirituality which is a preference for many families.

The teachers set outstanding examples of Christian love with their actions and words. As a result, the children learn to act towards others with respect, forgiveness, and kindness in the classroom. It promotes growth physically, emotionally, socially and spiritually.

• Cooperative Preschool

This type of school is operated by a group of parents for the cause of education children. It is not a profit-making institution. The parents provide the professional and paid teachers inside and outside the classroom. It includes numerous parental participation like making snacks, volunteering in the class, raising funds and holding board positions.

 Cooperative preschools allow the parents to be a part of their child's initial learning education. The more the parents are involved in their child's education, the more flourishing will be the child in upcoming days.

• Montessori Preschool

Montessori schools concentrate on letting the children know and learn through play according to their own speed. Multi-age classrooms enable the older students to act as a trainer and adviser. This program tends to be more costly than the other preschools.

It takes care not only academic skills but the physical, social, emotional and spiritual requirements of the child. These schools are extremely reverent of the individuality and exclusiveness o each child. It allows the students to learn according to their own time and provides an encouraging, protective and receptive environment. Montessori education fosters curious, self-confident, independent and community minded pupils.

• Waldorf Preschool

These private schools are formed on the philosophy of Waldorf. It aims at supporting the imagination and hands–on learning in a homely surrounding. Students spend their time in the open air.

The teachers take up practical work like gardening, baking for the youngsters to copy and the models are made from natural stuff. Waldorf programs are guided by the teachers rather than the directions of the students. This early childhood program is recent and long running. Sufficient time and space are given for free innovative play. An environment filled with respect and love is spread throughout for the uniqueness and self-esteem of each child. This generates a sense of security and trust within the child.

There are many other preschools like specialized preschools, day-care preschools, in-home preschools, language immersion preschools, and Reggio Emilia preschools.

Teaching More than one Language to a Pre-school child. Is that possible?

Teaching more than one language to a pre-school child. Is that possible?

Children are the best creations of nature that have ever evolved. They are a blessing to this world more than anything else. Earlier, daughters were not given much importance that was given to the son but these days it has become equal. There is no such distinguishes made of the gender.

   In today’s rat race, everybody wants their children to be the best and this rat race starts from the time they are born. Once a child takes birth, his/her parents start thinking as to what he/ she would become after the next 20 years. Not only that, a new trend has begun these days. The parents are trying to teach more than one languages to their children from the time they have not even been admitted to the school.


Language: The tool of communication

  Language is undoubtedly one of the best tools via which the children can communicate. At a very young stage, when the brain is fresh and can be molded in any ways, is one of the best times when the children can learn more than one language. Children tend to have the habit of repeating what their parents do. So if the parents make them learn a new language then there are high chances of having a positive result.


Give your child enough time to learn:

Learning can happen at any age. Kids all over the world do speak more than one language and that too without much effort. Learning requires proper efforts and it is certainly not based on age. Children who know two languages act as a milestone for the children with one language. They inspire the rest to follow them literally. But this actually takes a lot of time. Giving enough time to the child to cope up with another language will make him learn the language much faster.


Best time to learn languages:

  Researchers have shown that the best time to learn two languages or more is before the age of 7. A mother, during her pregnancy, if she uses two languages to communicate, it is known that the unborn baby tends to hear a lot of sounds and variations which later on prepare their brain to learn three or more languages and that too with much ease.

  Learning two different languages takes time and patience as well as practice. Only if the parents use the language to communicate in front of the child, that does not help. The kid needs to practice talking in the language too. It should be included in his day to day activities like playing, dressing, gaming etc. talking to him in the similar language also helps. Both the parents, speaking on a different language each with the child, help a lot.

Develop their vocabularies from a young age-

  Kids at such a young age or rather at their pre-school age to be precise, have a rapidly developing skill and they quickly tend to absorb whatever they are taught or told. They can learn as well as act on two different languages at an extremely fast pace. Being bilingual, this also benefits the child in their later rat race life or rather competitive life where each one wants to be the best.

  The 2 or 3 years old have a lot of vocabularies as they start to develop as well as recognize the speech and patterns which they are consistently hearing since birth. The earlier one or more languages are taught to a child, the easier it becomes for him to understand and learn the language. The ability to understand the several phonetic pronunciations is the best at the age or under the age 3. This capacity keeps on losing with age.

  Therefore, teaching more than one language to a pre-school child is, of course, possible. In fact, that is the best time for a kid to learn several languages with a fresh mindset and huge developing skills.

Encouraging Play for Developing the Personality of Your Preschooler

You most likely saw your preschooler's one of a kind identity looking out those initial couple of months of life - coming to excitedly for a clatter or maybe pushing without end a teddy bear. In any case, between the ages of 3 and 5, your tyke's identity is truly going to rise. Amid these years, preschoolers additionally acquire restraint. They start to depend less on you and others and more on themselves.


How to solve the problem?

They're figuring out how to quiet themselves when they get energized, scared, or annoy and they're turning out to be more mindful and less candidly receptive. Preschoolers ought to be permitted to act naturally while as yet being urge to experiment with things that might appear to extend their developing identities.


Ways you can help your child's personality to grow :

While your kid's identity will bloom all alone normally, there's really a ton you can do to help and additionally a couple of things to keep away from.

1. Keep in mind that your kid is one of a kind. Kids contrast in surprising courses from each other in their growing identities. That incorporates kin. At last, solid identity improvement is cultivated by child rearing that is touchy and receptive to the individual qualities and necessities of the tyke.

2. Empower play. The play is a gigantic impact on a kid's improvement, giving children time to play is critical to offering your kid's identity some assistance with blossoming.

3. Play offers kids some assistance with developing physically, rationally, and inwardly. It shows them to work in gatherings, settle clashes, build up their creative energy, and attempt on various parts. At the point when children play, they rehearse choice making, figure out how to go to bat for themselves, make, investigate, and lead.


Things that shouldn’t be entertained :

1. Stay away from names. You need your kid's identity to create all alone without being formed by your (or anybody else's) perspectives. So abstain from marking your preschooler with words like bashful, bossy, passionate, or intense.

2. Set an illustration. You're likely the individual your preschooler sees and emulates the most. So it's dependent upon you to model good manners, sharing, and tolerance.

3. Understand its inclination and support. Try not to chalk up your tyke's identity to simply his or her temperament or the supporting you give. Both matter and both work together to make the differing qualities of kids and grown-ups' identities.


Sorting things up :

Give your youngster a chance to act naturally or herself, not a picture of you. Perhaps you're extremely cordial, engaged, calm, or timid. You might need your kid to be similar to that, as well. In any case, it's a great deal more imperative that your tyke is him or herself and that your youngster makes companions and meet the world in his or her own specific manner.

There are more approaches to offer your tyke's identity some assistance with growing. Case in point, perusing to your preschooler can be a vital key and by constraining TV time.

Positive Discipline the Better Alternative to Punishment for Pre-Primary Age Children

The ongoing debate on doling out rewards and punishment to children continues as a new dimension to positive parenting is added, that of Positive Discipline. As parents, we want the very best for our children, constantly striving to; find ways to equip them with the skills they need to succeed in life. Providing insight there is a quote from Aristotle that states “Excellence is an art won by training and habituation. We do not act rightly because we have virtue or excellence, but we rather have those because we have acted rightly. We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit” and if Aristotle were right then we need to discover and use the methods that will encourage the development of right habits. Developing the right habits in the child is a process of disciplining and training.


The Need for Discipline :

As parents, effective techniques must be understood and practiced, in order to further the development of our children. This brings us to a discussion of the effectiveness of rewards and punishments in the rearing and upbringing of children. Discipline is the term given to the process by which we attempt to shape and change behavior, whether our own or our children’s behavior. Discipline is the whole framework of providing support, encouragement and guidance to generate socially desired and acceptable ways of behaving and relating to the world at large. When the word “discipline” is applied in the context of rearing of young children, it refers to the practice of a nurturing approach that fosters competence, self-control, self-direction, respect and caring for others, within children.

While rewards and punishment for pre-school and pre-primary age kids constitutes a process of disciplining and many parents and teachers see punishment as being a part of the disciplinary process. However, discipline for children is more about shaping and changing behavior and not so much about punishment. In order to build good habits and learn acceptable behavior, habits should be developed at an early age to begin with. It's never too early to introduce your child to positive habits, which will reward his or her endeavors throughout. Quite a few educators and child development experts are united in their view, that discipline can and should exclude punishment.


The Difference between Punishment and Positive Discipline :

Any discussion on rewards and punishment would not be complete without a fuller understanding of Positive Discipline that is being widely advocated. Discipline is understood to be different from punishment in its intent and consequences and is seen as providing the stimulus for cultivating strong positive behavior. The following helps make the distinction clear and you can see why the argument for Positive Discipline is winning votes.


Positive Discipline :

• Is done with a child; there is sharing of information knowledge;
• Is guiding and teaching to encourage and support the right behavior;
• There are no quick results, behavior change does take time and requires understanding, time, and patience on the part of the supervising adult;
• Effectively reinforces and teaches problem-solving and helps create positive self-image;
• Help develop long-term self-control and cooperation and collaborative attitudes.


Punishment :

• Is done to the child and does not involve dual participation. The child is given a mandate and asked to comply with is more about exerting control over the child through the exercise of  power, authority, and coercion  and fear of unpleasant consequences for any non-compliance;
• It tends to provoke feelings of guilt, resentment, anger and could result in inciting deceitful behavior to escape punishment;
• Disrupts communication being one way only and can upset parent-child relationships;
• Results in the child refraining from the specific undesired behavior in the specific situation but only temporarily, and can be resorted to when conditions of anonymity are provided for.


Why We Should Eschew Punishment and Choose Positive Discipline

When harsh and severe punishment is imposed for ‘bad’ behavior, it often becomes counterproductive and produces behaviors very different from what was intended. Children may as a result of the punishment become resentful, angry and vengeful but that is a small part of the argument. It could also result in suppressing the child’s natural expression creating a stultified, repressed and introverted personality, quite at odds with society.

Importantly punitive consequences are not seen as being very successful in teaching the child self-control. A child who is always reprimanded without discussion will have serious repercussions on the child’s personality as the child fails to develop necessary problem-solving abilities.

On the other hand, positive discipline concentrates on the positive points of a child’s behavior, believing that there are just good and bad behaviors and no child is bad. Positive discipline does not advocate punishment in any form and eschews punitive scolding, spanking, threatening denial of privileges. In answer to what else is there; that is what positive discipline is all about providing parenting methods based on two basic principles of;

• Creating a connection before correction;
• Involves the child in focusing on solutions.

A preventive, approach is required to guide the behavior of students in pre-school and pre-primary age group and mold them into fine citizens. The foundation for such an approach lies in the emerging body of positive behavior support as enshrined in the principles of positive discipline. The distinctively different approach that positive behavior support takes, serves to make harsh punishment redundant and wholly unnecessary. Punishment is no longer necessary and should be eschewed while a more concerted effort is made to adopt and practice wholesome Positive discipline methods to help your child mature into a mature and balanced adult.

Children and Computer Usage : How Much is Required for Toddlers?

Today's world is a technology dependent world, and we cannot think of progressing a single day without them. The kids of this generation are much more tech savvy and they learn how to handle gadgets and electronic devices from a very young age. Computers are a source of immense knowledge in every field, and today's kids are hooked on to it.  Children and computers make a good team but it is of primary importance to know how much of computer usage is good for your child, and what are its advantages as well as disadvantages.


Few of the advantages are noted below :

Great boon to education -

According to a research, toddlers who use computers not only gain more knowledge faster, they learn and retain the facts for a longer time as well. Academic growth is one of the best advantages which your infant can gain from the computers. Clicking on icons and opening a particular website or a document encourages cohesive development of brain and helps in understanding cause and effect. Teaching a pre-schooler how to e-mail can improve his writing skills to a great extent. The numerous reasoning, logical thinking, creative aptitude test, pictography sites available on the net are extremely attractive and colourful, which makes the toddler exposed to various resources and helps to expand the child's knowledge in the long run.


Improves motor skills -

When a child clutches the mouse and presses the keys, he gives his hands similar exercises that he gets from drawing or colouring. It also improves eye-hand co ordination and increases stimulation of brain. This goes a long way in helping the child to manage new activities like tying his shoe laces, use scissors or  throw a ball later.


Wonderful benefit for children with special needs -

Computers are of tremendous help to toddlers with special needs. There are lots of activities designed on the net for special children, and with the help of these, they can perform the functions normally like any other normal children. If the child has a proper and guided access to the computer, he can perform the activities on his own, without the help of any special needs teacher or anyone else.


Wholesome entertainment value along with educational value -

 For a pre-schooler, computers can be on great entertainment value. There are a lot of child friendly sites which the toddler can visit and play games, draw pictures, listen to music, or even paint online. This makes a lot of value addition to the kids as they are able to understand the basics of life better.


However there are a few disadvantages of computers as well, especially for toddlers and pre-schoolers. 


Computers tend to make the kid more secluded and lonely -

It is a major disadvantage of computers that it limits social interaction. A toddler need to interact with people, specially kids of his age to learn about sharing and caring, develop a helping attitude and most importantly develop his interaction with his immediate surroundings in a special way. If he spends too much time alone on the computer, it makes him a loner and he feels more comfortable spending time in the virtual world than the real one.


Can lead to visual problems -

Too much exposure and usage of computers is very harmful for the pre-schooler, because continuous staring at the screen can lead to problem in vision later. A toddler who spends too much time looking at the computer, might develop childhood computer vision syndrome. Most children are susceptible to this as computer usage requires a lot of motor skills usage, from eyes that are still not developed. This can lead to squinting, myopic vision etc later.


May develop an irritable child -

Computer lessons or online teaching for pre-schoolers can involve lots of bold colours, loud sounds, too much movement across computer screens etc, which can overwhelm an infant. Sometimes gory and graphic images make a deep impact on their impressionable minds. It can make the child prickly, petulant and irritable after a session. He can hardly concentrate on quieter activities like reading, writing or drawing after that.

Avoids physical activities -

If a child spends too much time on the computer, he develops a sedentary lifestyle and avoids any kind of physical activities. Physical activities and outdoor play is essential to a child's growth and development, and also helps to build muscles. In fact, a toddler develops leadership qualities, sharing and caring habits, interacting with other kids the most at a playground or a group event. Computers on the other hand, make him secluded, alone and he does not learn any hands-on activities like shovelling sand into a bucket, building a castle etc.

So, we can see that although in today's world computers are a part and parcel of a child's development, too much exposure can cause a lot of harm. So moderation and proper adult guidance in computer usage is the key to balance cyber world and the real world.

Toddlers Can Understand More That You Think

Toddlers can understand more that you think...!

Toddlers don't talk much, but they have a great capacity to listen to you think of what you have said. Often a talk between the spouses being overheard by the toddlers can shape their mind in a certain way. Though you won't see immediate changes in their behaviour, certain ways of talking and certain information gets well settled in the subconscious mind of the toddler, and while they grow up, this information stimulates their psychological development. Experts advise avoiding complex and argumentative conversations before a toddler so that the toddler understands the importance of harmony in life. In other words, whatever message you convey, the toddlers well apprehend the information and the underlying, though.


Don't always negotiate, a denial would make your toddler strong :

While you decide to compromise with the demands of your toddler, you are passing information to them that a little stubbornness would get them everything they want. If you are listening to them every single time, you are making a mistake as the little creature would never understand how to face a denial. Facing a denial in a positive way can make tour child a strong personality in the future, otherwise, when he grows up, he would not even take the simple risk, just because of the fear of denial.


Give them choices :

There are times when your child gets furious; they would nag and cry for their demands to be fulfilled. You being the parents fall prey of their innocence and end up negotiating. This is the time when you need to grow strong as a parent. You simply need to make then few choices rather than negotiating. This choice would help them develop a decision-making capability.


Understanding the psychology of your child is important :

There are few important things that you need to do to understand your child better. First and the foremost thing you need to do is to be observant towards for child. While you are observing your toddler, small little hints would indicate how your child's mental development is taking place. Another important thing that you need to do being a parent is that you need to be friendly with your child. However, you also need to see that the way you pamper should not hamper the emotional and psychological developments. While spending time with your child, you need to teach them the important lesson of responsibility and decision making.


Child psychology and parenting :

Child psychology is a huge discipline. However, every parent should know few basic tips to nurture good values to their toddler. These values would bring various positive changes in the life of your child in the near future. Carelessness shown in the parenting during the early years of the child might lead to various mental and behavioural imbalances. With the growing challenge in the competitive world, every child should grow as strong individuals to cope up with. A modern child is exposed to various influences, starting from the media to the peer’s surroundings; this might make a deep impact on them. As a parent, you to put conscious efforts to develop your child as a healthy individual and for this you need to start is now.

Path to a Socially Intelligent and Competent Child

Path to a socially intelligent and competent child


Humans are social beings. It is what distinguishes us from animals. Navigating the dos and don’ts of society and propriety can be difficult for an adult. It is even more difficult for a child. As children grow up they must be taught the subtle rules of this complicated society humans inhabit. A socially intelligent and competent child will find co-existence with other children as well as adults much easier. In order to ensure this, there are some simple steps which you can take in order to ensure that your preschooler develops to be a social human being.


Let them know that their opinion is important :

Children are often wrong about things. But it is through mistakes that they learn. It is important to encourage them to voice their opinions even if they might be wrong. Children who get a chance to speak freely at home tend to be more socially active outside the house. When you show your child that you care about what he or she has to say it will develop a certain amount of confidence in him or her. As a result, they will feel more confident in interacting with their peers in social gatherings. Moreover, when they see that you are respecting their opinion they too will, in turn, learn to respect the opinions of peers.


Teach the art of sharing :

The biggest problem which children, especially children who do not have siblings at home, have is the problem of sharing. Children often get into fights over toys or food which can result in tantrums and unpleasantness. It is important to develop a tendency of sharing in your child from an early stage. Take the first step by asking your child to share their food or toys with you at home. For your part, you can also share with them. If the child sees the parents sharing then he or she naturally develops a tendency for easy sharing with other kids. Show your child the positive result of sharing, how happy you are because of the things he or she has shared with you.


Discourage physical aggression :

Children tend to be very active and physical. While encouraging interaction and playing with other children it is important to curb physical aggression in your child. At the first signs of aggression or a fight about to start to intervene and try to calmly work out the reason for the aggression. Teach your child that words and talking are always a better alternative to physical violence.


Teach them to care for the feelings of others :

Children often do not realise when they have hurt the feelings of others. It is your responsibility as a parent to teach your kid the social skills needed to know when their peers are hurt. If you think your child has hurt someone or that one of their friends is hurt or upset, then point it out to your child. Make them understand why their peer might be hurt. Teach them empathy and tell them to interact with or apologize to the person who has been hurt. In this way, your child will learn the importance of caring for others.

How to Deal with The Tantrums Your Toddler Throws?

How to deal with the tantrums your toddler throws?

Tantrums are a part of childhood. You cannot ignore them but as a parent, we know that sometimes it gets tough to handle the situation. You cannot start to behave rudely with your child or even watch quietly. The misbehavior can be regulated or improvised if you know the techniques.


The definition of Tantrum:

Psychologically speaking, a child when gets frustrated with any external stimulus that is not complying with his or her expectations or wishes he or she starts expressing it with outbursts of anger. The environment must be understood clearly to figure out the tantrum's cause. Basically, tantrums are ways to express frustration because the children are unable to find words or other expressions to express. They might be hungry, tired, thirsty or frustrated with an activity that is triggering the tantrums.

They are angels sent by gods. They do not perform these acts to undermine your parenthood in front of everyone. In the case of the toddlers it is a natural way to express frustration or other undefined emotions. In the case of older children the action can be a behavior learned from a particular environment.


Prevention of tantrums:

Till date, there are no books or manuals to prevent a tantrum. But it can be minimized or even eradicated from the child's behavior by following simple steps.

1. Work out a routine:

Figuring out a routine will make your child think and expect certain things every day at that particular time. The routine includes sleeping time, eating time and habits, study, etc.


2. Daily chores:

Complete your chores when the child is either busy or sleeping. Else keep a toy or pack of food to keep him or her busy at the time you are busy doing your work.


3. Using words to express:

The children can understand many words but they cannot express them which lead to the communication error! Teach your child to use signs or words if possible to express their feelings. The words can be of their version but as a parent, you can easily figure out what they want to express.


4. Positive choices:

They can be easily manipulated by giving them only good choices for eating or activities they like. Ask them what color they want to wear today by specifying the color or what food they want to eat by specifying the choices you want.


5. Encourage good behavior:

The children like to do things for which they get praised or encouraged. Hug them and tell them how you feel when they good things.


When is it a battlefield?

When the tantrums are out of your hands then try to ignore his activities. Make them sit in a boring corner of the room. Assign some time to the child for cooling down and do not respond to anything he or she says or does. If the child breaks the time limit make him or her sit again in the same space to teach a lesson. When the tantrums are still rampant then seeking a medical practitioner’s help is suggested to rectify the behavioral problem.

Make Your Toddler Well Behaved

Make your toddler well behaved.

Toddlers can be extremely fussy at times. For new parents, especially first-time parents, knowing what to do and what not to do when your child throws a tantrum can be very difficult. The childhood years are the most important years for character development. These years can determine what kind of life your child will lead thereafter. There are some simple steps that any parent can take to ensure that their child develops good manners.


Be understanding and calm:

It can be very easy to lose patience and shout when toddlers throw tantrums or disobey you. Shouting does not solve the problem in the long run, however. Instead, try to stay calm when a child throws a tantrum. Try to understand whether there might be something that is bothering or causing discomfort to your child. Only when you stay calm can you calm your child too. A raised voice will tend to make the child even more agitated. Instead, try repeating your instruction or request in a low and calm voice.


Make rules and stick to them :

It is very important to teach children to adhere to rules. The habit of following rules, once developed, will help them throughout their lives. Make simple rules for them to follow and ensure that they are always followed. Do not heap too many rules on them as too many rules will make them defiant and unruly. Instead, choose which rules are most important and enforce them always. For example, it is important to enforce the rule of always wearing a seat belt. Once you make a rule make sure that you make no exceptions to the rule. Your child should know that rules are set in stone and cannot be broken or bent even once. Thus, if a car does not have a seat belt then tell your child that they cannot ride in it. Do not make any exceptions and your child will learn to follow rules obediently.


Punishments:

Punishments are an important part of teaching your child good manners and discipline. Physical violence is never an answer in this respect. It is very important to teach your child that their actions will have consequences. If they break a toy in a tantrum you do not need to shout at them. Simply do not replace the toy till they understand that their breaking of the toy will lead to no toys to play with. Another effective way of punishment is by withholding something from him or her. You might not allow them to play their favourite game. Timeouts in a quiet place too are a good form of punishment to ensure that your child has an opportunity to reflect on his or her behaviour.


Set an example:

Children learn most things through imitation of their parents. Thus, your behaviour will be reflected in your child's behaviour. They will learn from you and hence it is very important to set a good example for them. Always be polite and well behaved and your child or children too will learn to be the same.

Deal With a Positive Approach for Calming the Anger of Your Child.

Deal with a positive approach for calming the anger of your child.

With regards to demonstrating anger, adults don't falter to verbally express it however children have very different methods for managing anger. Here are a few clear signs that your child might require help and what to do to help them.

The child who is getting baffled with a riddle or contending with a friends’ needs to figure out how to manage the vitality working inside before blasting. Kids can back up things off inside their souls before the ejection, and you as the guardian can show them to do as such. An anger management plan needs a few segments and one fundamental step is to instruct children to stop when their emotion is instructing them to push forward.


How can you spot the emotion of your child?

Children are typically anticipated concerning sharing emotions and feelings. While your child might be troubled with feelings of torment and blame, you will never take in it from a discussion without knowing how to control the discussion with the right inquiries. In any case, you can know a child's genuine feelings since they are normally shown in their visible conduct.

At the point when a child is miserable, they might mind their own business or have little to say. At the point when a child feels regretful, they might maintain a strategic distance from individuals and stay in their room. At the point when a child is angry, they might break their toys, shout or have a fit. Youngsters are not generally verbal about their emotions but rather their activities talk louder than words.

When children hint at anger, blasting into attacks of fury and moving around the floor in fits of rage, this is an indication that there is an issue that can't be overlooked. This ought to let you know that your child needs assistance that you, as a guardian, can give despite the fact that you might be the objective of the anger. Left untreated, this issue could develop into a heap of trouble later on.


Teach your Child 

Anger management is additionally a hard idea to disclose too little children since they are uninformed of their precise feelings and they are not prepared to think rapidly and excuse their choices. You can't talk a child out of trying so as to be angry to regard them as having adult thinking aptitudes. That will simply baffle your child and, maybe, make them feel much more deficient. This is the reason exercises, which are fun and don't require intelligent considering, work best.

Showing your child anger management attitudes now is crucial to keep them from getting to be troublesome adults, something that could adversely influence how they interface on the planet and, therefore, contrarily affect their own and money related future. A child needs to figure out how to act suitably in various circumstances. The must realize that it is impeccably fine to be vexed yet they should likewise comprehend that their anger ought not to be utilized as a part of a negative way. When they get to be adults they will utilize these abilities to be more content and very much adjusted.

Here are a few rules to take after of you are faced with a comparable circumstance:-

• A quiet response on your part will help to de-escalate the circumstance. 
• An angry response on your part will just exasperate an officially troublesome circumstance
• Capitulating for a calmer life will prompt issues down the line 
• Model your conduct - demonstrate that a quiet approach is restricted of responding 
• Talk later about what sort of conduct is admissible. 
• Use time out for yourself if you feel you are losing control. 

As respects time out for folks, this is exceptionally successful on the grounds that you have told your high schooler that you just can't deal with this circumstance at this moment. You are readied to discuss it later on. This demonstrates there are distinct options for anger, fierceness, rage and disappointment. You are likewise exhibiting that there are splendidly adequate methods for managing anger without going insane.

When you are taking the quiet approach, you are a living sample for your child. You could likewise bring up that requiring some investment out yourself is another way and that there is nothing to stop the child or adolescent from doing that as well. These then are only a couple of ways we can approach troublesome manner or behaviour, for example, children's anger.

Preschool is Essential in Building Your Child’s Future

Preschool is Essential in Building Your Child’s Future

A preschool is an educational center providing an opportunity for early childhood learning for children between three to five years of age. They may be privately run and funded or government run. Nevertheless, it is found that only six out of every ten four-year-olds, a very large number, are not enrolled preschool programs. With every parent wanting their child to start school ready for success and given its costs; parents want to know, does sending children to preschool really matter and can it make a significant difference, to the child’s success in the years to follow?

Research conducted by the Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies reporting on preschool costs found that in Massachusetts, the cost of preschool education averaged $10,000 a year. With the preschool costs, ranging from $3,803 to $13,480 per year, for parents, the question is whether they should be spending on preschool or be saving for their children’s university education.

What does your Child learn as a Preschooler?

Dear parents, raising a child is inspiring, fun, and hard work.  Parents are a child’s first teachers.    Yet, research and experience show that a great deal of this work actually happens in a classroom.  A child’s success in school and life is whether he or she receives a high quality preschool education. A preschool helps develop a child’s mental and physical skills. While play is highly important, in a preschool it has a purpose. It focuses on early academic learning. Learning, as follows takes place in a preschool.

• Learn the alphabet, letter sounds, and reading a few simple words and numbers up to ten;
• Learn a greater number of words;
• Better their communication skills;
• Learn to appropriately use scissors, glue sticks, pencils, and crayons;
• Display and develop all motor skills;
• Learn self-help skills (wearing and taking off their own outerwear, opening food/snack items,             carrying a plate of food to the table.);
• Imbibe and display the right social skills;
• Separate from parents easily;
• Exhibit greater confidence in the classroom

Almost always and without exception, children who have undergone a preschool program, do better in their academic subjects than those children who have attended playschool or care center and have had no prior preschool experience.



Just How Important is Preschool?

The answer is obvious: The young mind is more pliable and able to develop new habits with relative ease. The objective of preschool is preparing children for kindergarten and beyond. Children are exposed early to numbers, letter and shapes recognition. At preschool, children learn important social skills and getting along with their peers, something that is not well learned at home. Children with at least a year of preschool have better pre-reading, math skills and abilities.

A good body of research exists that indicates, children participating in preschool programs enjoy better health, social, emotional, and enhanced cognitive skills than those who do not undergo any preschool training. The evidence in favor of early learning is clear. A recently published piece of research conducted by Harvard found that children with a year of preschool learning performed better at reading and arithmetic than children who have not attended preschool.

Deciding on the Right Preschool for your Child

Drawing up a shortlist, you will need to call each school you have shortlisted and find out more about its fees, its admission rules and regulations, and importantly the curriculum. Once you have decided on a few reputable preschools in your area, plan to visit them to get a better feel of the place. Wherever possible, talking with the director, interacting with the teachers and sitting through classrooms will help you learn more about the school and judge its suitability. Visiting each of the shortlisted schools with your child to see how they respond to the classroom environment, the teachers, and the activities will help you decide. Overall, studying in a preschool helps the child learn the basic skills needed to excel during the school years and beyond.

Innovative Ideas to Stage a Talent Show for Kids

Innovative ideas to stage a talent show for kids.


A talent show is a one of the most suitable ways of showcasing the talent of students, boost their confidence and bring the whole community of teachers and students altogether. It is thus a fun-filled event that appeals to students of all age groups starting from the kindergarten kids to the adolescents of high schools.

Where things go wrong : Yet sometimes after a talent show gets over, those in charge of the event often decline to arrange for the show next time. They cite various reasons like the problems in getting the students to rehearse amidst their scheduled classes, difficulties in choosing songs and dance styles that would be appreciated and above all the effort needed to arrange for such a grand event.

But it is important to put in the right efforts to make the function successful. You should have a proper idea about the type of show you want and take decisions along the way, keeping in mind the various ideas you want to incorporate so that once the event is staged, everyone feels enlivened and overwhelmed.

The event should aim at boosting up their confidence :  The event you plan to arrange and put up must try to manifest, not contest the talents among children. This inevitably suggests exclusion of judges, position of winners, runners up and thankfully, losers. There shouldn't be any point awarded neither should anything be deducted- it should solely aim at enhancing their level of confidence.

It can be a dramatic representation of some literary work, for instance. It should aim at helping kids with the off-stage and technical aspects of conducting a show. Some parents could also be chosen as volunteers for this, as it helps them get on and off the stage much quicker. Another important factor is time- rehearsals should begin several months before the actual performance so that when the whole event is staged, everything would be picture perfect.

Selecting the perfect student for the perfect role :  It is important to find out which type of act would be suitable to specific students. For instance, some may be great role players, others lovely singers and another group of students could be exceptionally well dancers.

Firstly, an audition can be conducted so that the organisers would be able to know the skills and adeptness of all students. In case the pressure of attending classes is too huge to be compromised, rehearsals can be conducted during the recess hours.

It is very important to supervise that each and every student selected for the event must attend to the rehearsal programs regularly. This would prevent them from goofing around in the final stage show and help them be proud performers. Through regular sessions of rehearsals, their flaws and stage fright would be minimised with an increase in confidence and conviction.

Adding a different vibe : As an organiser you can bring about some difference in the style in which most talent shows in schools are portrayed. You can mix up a carnival look so that the kids feel comfortable and free to hone their talents and perform in full spirits. It is also a great way of celebrating the achievements of students in all the arenas they are good at.

Encourage a range of talents : There should also be an arrangement for spontaneous performances in between the pre-determined schedule to ensure everyone gets a slot. Here not only the students but also their parents should be given a chance to walk up to the stage and perform anything they are confident in. This would enhance the overall appeal of the entire show and make it a great hit. Parents would also get a chance to showcase their talent in front of the world which would otherwise have been impossible.

It's all about the flexibility : A talent show should be something where everyone is happy and gay by being a part of the event. Kids should be free to decide what they want to do and there shouldn't be inclusion of any rigid rules. Preparing early in a supportive ambience are the two most crucial factors required to conduct a stage show successfully.

What is the Right Age to Start Preschool?

What is the right age to start preschool?

A three-year-old kid is out of diapers and love playing and running about with peers. But how would you whether your child is ready for a preschool? What are the benefits of preschool that your kids would miss sitting back at home? Experts suggest that for most kids attending a preschool is an experience that shouldn't be missed.

All kids should be given an opportunity and advantages of attending a preschool, states a child development expert. It is a valuable beginning of a child's life as now we are aware that children are capable of attending school at a very early age. Most people agree to 'the sooner the better' with regard to the structured privileges for learning.

When is your child ready : Most preschools normally accept kids at an age around 2 1/2 years but that never suggest the child is magically ready to join a preschool when he or she reaches this age. Readiness for attending a school has a lot to do with your child's individual development in all respects. So you should try to find out whether your child is psychological, socially, cognitively and physically ready to participate in a regular, structured educational program with a group of fellow children.

Though it is unwise to look for an easy and quick answer to this question and come up with saying that a child is ready for all these things, most parents tend to do this. The most suitable way to determine this is by thinking about the matter closely, and by consulting with others who know your child quite well such as your spouse, your parents, child's physician and the one who provides care for the child.

Is the child independent enough?

 A preschool will certainly need the child to have some basic skills like talking and potty training for examples. But it is better to help them develop a few more healthy habits like washing the hands before eating anything, eating a meal without anybody's assistance as well as sleeping alone.

Is the child habituated in staying away from you? If a child has been cared by a nurse or a relative, he shall be better prepared to be separated from you. Kids who are habituated to being apart from their parents can be better off with attending a pre-school hardly without a backward glance. If your child has not had enough opportunities to be away from the parents, then you should try to schedule something like a weekend at granny's place or a day out without parents.

A possible way out: But even if it is not possible for you to manage this, there's nothing much to worry about- there are many kids who leave their parents for the first time for school and they do quite well. The best solution to this issue could be to help the child adjust in short doses of separation from parents. Many preschools shall avail you the chance of leaving your child for an hour or two in the school during the first few days. As the child gets accustomed to his new environment, he or she can eventually work up to a full schedule.

As most parents feel, a preschool is quite a big leap for small children and this is the reason why most of the child education experts think that increasing the preschool admission age by a year could be a good thing for most kids and their parents. They feel that it would be advantageous to most children as they will be offered an extra period of growing and developing their language and communication skills before they join a preschool. This will invariably boost their confidence and make them absolutely independent when they reach school.

Many renowned educationists agree that the benefit of increasing the age of entering school should be increased to 4 years as it gives the privilege and opportunity to develop in all respects to the kids. It is because the common tendency of most parents is to compare their child with other children of similar age. But what they don't understand is a major proportion of a child's learning is dependent on their readiness and learning styles as well as opportunity to handle strengths and challenges. Thus, they should be given ample chance to reach their potential before they are made to carry the heavy load and face the competitive environment of the educational system.

How to Teach Your Child to Clean The Room

How to Teach Your Child to Clean The Room

Children love to stay in messy rooms  in spite of telling them repeatedly to keep the rooms neat and tidy. It is sometimes very frustrating, and to avoid this, one must teach the child to clean the room from an early age, but in such a manner that instead of looking at it as an onerous task that should be delayed and avoided, he should look forward to it. Here are a few simple steps which will help you teach your kid to clean up his room in half an hour approx.

1.  Make your own bed : This is perhaps the first step as the bed is treated as a play pen, dumping ground, fighting zone, doll house kitchen ( if it's a girl child) to a makeshift study table-all in one. So this has to be cleared first, with the blankets being folded neatly, pillow covers arranged, bed sheet properly tucked in and soft toys kept in proper place. If any books, magazines, soft toys are scattered on the bed, let them be properly arranged. It should not take more than ten minutes and once this is done, automatically the room looks much cleaner.

2.  Try to sort out things and put them in proper place : Sorting of things and putting them in proper place is of great importance. For example, if the kid is a pre-schooler, teach him to put his clothes in the clothes basket, the soiled ones in the laundry bag, shoes in the shoe rack, books in the book rack or the study table and toys in the toy basket. It might take quite a bit of time for the kid to understand this, and he might be confused, in fact he may act puzzled and make mistakes purposefully to avoid  doing the work. But be firm, and help him initially, even using amusing anecdotes or stories which will make it a chore he can look forward to and eventually get used to it.

3.  Praise the effort wholeheartedly and unabashedly : Children are very sensitive and emotional, so if he makes a sincere effort in cleaning the room, go all out and praise him. How soon he can do the work completely on his own depends on his age. If he is too young, try to print a chart or make a colourful " To Do" list and pin it in his room.  Give him a time limit of half an hour, and if he manages to do it within the stipulated time frame, take him for a treat or give him a small gift.

4.  Organise some fun games and competitions among the peer group : Most parents find it tough to teach the children to clean their rooms, so you can come up with a plan. Make few kids of the same age meet for a play date and plan an activity as in whoever cleans the room first after the games are over will get a surprise gift or a prize! Children love these kind of innovative ideas, and they will all go out of their way to help clean the room after they finish playing. Show them to keep the things in proper places, sort the soft toys, clothes, football, board games etc, put the shoes in the shoe rack and lastly not to mess with the things and never eat inside the room.

5. Practise what you preach : This might sound irrelevant, but actually is very important. You cannot teach the child to keep the room neat and tidy if your own rooms are in a mess. It might not be picture perfect, but the child must see that you give an effort to keep the house clean and tidy every day. He will understand the value and slowly emulate what he sees.

6. Make the storage spaces easy to handle : If you are dealing with a small child, make sure that the storage spaces are child friendly. If the process is cumbersome the child will try and avoid it. On the contrary, if it's simple and easy, he or she will do it quickly and finish the job quickly. Do away with excess stuff also, from time to time. This will make the room clutter free and look much cleaner.

Although children love to keep their rooms messy and feel more comfortable that way, they should be taught from an early age that they should be kind and considerate, be helpful, use good manners and keep their room clean. These are some easy to follow methods which will go a long way in teaching the basic hygiene and other life lessons later.

Help Your Kid Develop an Enriched Vocabulary

Help Your Kid Develop an Enriched Vocabulary

The language development in kids during their first few years of life has a long term impact. Children cannot make progress without proper guidance, nurturing, and also modeling of appropriate language of  each of the adults around them.


Word knowledge is crucial :

Growing rich word knowledge is one of the most crucial parts of language development. Kids who obtain a substantial vocabulary are mostly able to think in a deeper way, express themselves more clearly, and learn things faster. Those children are also pretty much likely to succeed not only in learning to read but also in achieving better grades throughout their school years. It has been proved that kids having prominent problems in learning to read are the ones who reach their school age with less depth in prior knowledge, smaller vocabularies, and different background experiences. Most of such children had fewer experiences with reading and hearing stories. As a parent, you need to boost your kid's literacy experiences as well as language early in life. With such initial steps later difficulties can be easily alleviated.


Excite them for language interaction :

Children start their first conversation at home through gestures and cooing sounds. They first learn talking simply by listening to their elders. Then they gradually start taking participation in family gatherings or regular conversations of their family. Their learning process begins with their mother speaking to them through eye contacts. When the baby finally begins speaking out, the mother should validate the kid's attempts to make communications. She should do this by celebrating as well as praising the baby’s each and every effort. A mother must repeat and then extend the language or words the baby uses. Children’s vocabulary weightage is benefited through such easy yet effective practices. Excite them every time to engage themselves in language interactions.


Expose them to intriguing words :

Kids love long and intriguing words. They actually love the unusualness of its usage, size and pronunciation. Being a parent you need to catch this method of teaching them new words. Apart from reading story books to them, helping them find out meanings in the dictionary, solve jumbled words you truly require exposing them to various intriguing words. Research shows children notice the use of unique and comparatively less applied words more than the usual ones. Those words quickly grab their attention and they try using them in their conversations. Hence, apply them as part of your familiar and natural conversations and your little one will use them and will gradually pick up on meanings.


Share your own stories with kids :

Talk to your kids about how your day went, what you did at home or office, various people you encountered, all the funny things that occurred, or even anything interesting which you might have observed. Find different ways to apply memorable yet sophisticated words in your regular conversations. This way, your little ones will hear those words in different contexts and will start using them.

Vocabulary knowledge has to be as deep as possible. While learning multiple words kids ultimately develop an understanding of those words. Help them acquire such understanding with deeper word knowledge.

Four Activities You Would be Amazed Infants are Capable of Doing..!

Four Activities You Would be Amazed Infants are Capable of Doing..!

Infants only Suck, Cry, Feed and Sleep. If you think along this line, then you are mistaken. The following points will show you what toddlers are capable of achieving-

1.  They can distract parents intentionally:

The toddlers are beautiful and innocent looking cherubs. To an extent it’s true, but remember, that they are also capable of lying or deceiving the parents. Surprised? Any toddler who breaks a toy or does some mischief around the house, will either a) Start shrieking or crying or b) Giggle overtly to distract the parent’s attention.



2.  They are capable of reasoning:

One of the surprising discoveries about infant psychology in the 21st century has to be the fact that- toddlers have the sharp reasoning skills that one may expect from adults. Barring the children who suffer from delayed development issues, any infant can apply his/her rational mind at any given context. Following ways may help to develop reasoning skills:

• Asking your child for solution to questions or problems like: "It is raining and we can't go outside. What could we do instead?"

• Based on science or math topic, asking questions, predicting what will happen, and observing consequences.

• Playing games that involve classifying, comparing, and contrasting, and other matching and sorting games.

• Asking your little one to classify objects using more than one attribute for example "Find the large, blue square; find the small, red circle."

• Reading and acting out stories in which characters reason and solve challenging problems.



3.  They have a thinking mind:

The toddlers have thinking minds too! You can’t fool them for a long time. If you break any of her dolls unintentionally then replace it with a new doll having same features; in most of the cases the child will be able to spot that her old doll is substituted with a new one. Similarly, studies have shown that an infant can tell the difference between a friendly canine and an angry one, even if the latter is not growling.



4.  They understand social hierarchy:

If you think that kids can’t spot the chain of command in your household, then think again. If you belong to an orthodox family where the women have to abide by the rules set by the man of the household, then your infant can spot the hierarchy easily. That’s why it’s very important for the parents to behave in an equal manner to each other. Numerous studies have shown that children, who have seen gender disparity since the infancy in their homes, grow up with severe lop-sided perception about the opposite gender. Also if you insult your maids in front of your infant or speak to them degradingly, your child can pick that up from you.

So, do not underestimate the capabilities of the little ones, because they can actually give you a hard time in the near future..!

Worried With Your Kids Snacking?

Worried with your kids snacking?

On a worldwide research it was seen that 80% mothers are seen to complain about the food habits of their kids or about what to feed them. Main courses however are in control with proper nutritious foods but the issue comes with snacking. Fast foods have grabbed all the attraction of kids creating a problem for the mothers to balance the nutrient value.

Here are some ideas for those young mothers who are worried about giving their child a healthy snack.

Starters, snacks and some healthy filling snacks for breakfast or for evening:

1. Soups: Soups can be the healthiest starter as well as can be served as a snack. Tomatoes and veggies boiled, pureed added to some vegetable stock can make it tasty. This can be prepared earlier and micro waved when served. This contains all the vitamins, potassium and other nutrients.

2. Cheesy puff pastry: A cheesy snack can sound to be quite fatty, but if you are attentive in grabbing a fat free cheese and rolling them on puff pastries; it can be a healthy savory delight. It takes a preparation time of around half an hour and therefore is an easy recipe for any working mothers as well.

3. Baked muffins or bread: Fruits are generally foods of utter disgust for kids but fruit smells are a love for them. If you can manage baking wheat muffins or breads along with different fruits, it will taste heaven for them. These are rich in beta-carotene and potassium. Moreover, all the nutritive values are balanced as well. An hour is enough to prepare them.

4. Whole grain cereal: Vitamins, fiber and calcium mixed in a single bowl can make a healthy start for your kid. This provides your little one with the exact nutrient balance that is required for the day. It can be made richer if tossed with some dry fruits like raisins and nuts like walnuts and almonds. Nowadays there are various packs of cereals in the market with different flavors which the mothers can avail.

5. Quesadilla: It’s a wheat tortilla that has to be filled in with a savory mixture. Anything can be added with these calcium rich quesadilla. It makes an equally good stuffing for veggies like, tomatoes, beans or sweet corn. It is a nutritional punch with an advantage of easy to make and fun for kids.

6. Nutty- Fruity Mix: Mixing nuts, whole grain cereals, slices of fruits can help you prepare a heavy snack. All mixes into a yummy combination if just garnished with some of the kids’ favorite toppings like chocolate sauce or strawberry sauce. Nuts are rich in magnesium, iron and zinc.

7. Whole Grain Waffles: These are a boost to iron and Vitamins A, B6 and B12. A topping of reduced cream cheese and fruit jelly are a refreshing snack for any kid.

8. Oatmeal: any kid moving around, if asked for a favorite pastime snack, it has to be cookies. Oatmeal can be used best for cookies because of its crispy texture. However, if added with some flavors of chocolate or butterscotch, it will be a hot favorite for the kids. These are rich in fibers and vitamins. These are also fat free and can be beneficial to kids who are suffering from obesity.

9. Pastas and Noodles: these are good sources of carbohydrates. Adding veggies to this makes it even healthier. Its an easy to make snack rich in protein and carbohydrate helping your kid to gain energy for the whole days schedule.



Some good stuffing that makes the food tastier and healthier:

1. Peanut butter: A versatile childhood favorite since centuries. It can be used in any kind of bread or wheat base. Kids can spread it themselves. It is also rich in protein and vitamin and less on fat.

2. Cheese: This stuffing is not only healthy but rich in protein, calcium, minerals and keeps high energy level till dinner time. Alternately cottage cheese or paneer makes for an excellent stuffing too.

3. Boiled and mashed vegetables: vegetables like carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, and peas are a source of vitamins and minerals which help replenish nutrients, are source of fiber, and are vital for health and maintenance of your body.

Some new innovation to fruits:

1. Apples and grapes: Both these fruits are loved by kids. A topping of cottage cheese can also make it healthier and tastier. Kids will also love circle shaped apple slices topped with grapes.

2. Strawberries: These are favorites for all kids. It can be used on anything and given any time. These are rich in vitamin-C and can be wrapped with wheat crepes.

3. Pears: It is a nutritious serve, rich in fibre and available all the year round. It will be healthier if served with a small bowl of low fat cottage cheese. These can also be given in your child’s lunch box.
4. Raisins: Rich in fiber, vitamins and potassium are an easy picker for snacks. Raisins are also delicious and can be mixed in creamy dips served with carrot sticks.

Some healthy desserts:

1. Smoothies: Banana, Strawberry, apple, grape, berries, whole cereals all can be made into smoothies for your kid. These can be made earlier and refrigerated and can be consumed any time. A kid who dislikes any fruit or cereals will have it in the form of smoothies if a tinge of their favorite flavors is mixed to it.

2. Yoghurt: Another dessert that can be added with favorite flavors and fed to your kiddo. Fruits can be mixed with yoghurt, this will make it rich in protein and other nutrients. An easy to make dessert which can be prepared earlier and refrigerated.

Snacks that will make your kids happy

1. Cheesy veggie Rava Fingers :

Ingredients:
Rawa / Sooji / Semolina – 1/2 cup
Milk – 2 cup
Cheese ( any variety) – 3/4 cup
Butter – 1 tbl spoon
Boiled vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, peas, carrot and beans
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
Cornflour / Cornstarch – ½ cup
Breadcrumbs – 1 cup

Method:

Heat butter or ghee in a kadai. Add rawa and sauté for 2 mins.
Add salt and pepper, Pour in milk, boiled vegetables and cheese and mix well.
Cover with a lid and simmer for 5 mins. The mixture will thicken and leave the sides of the pan.
Transfer this to a plate, smoothen it, leave it for cooling.

Mix cornflour with water and make into a thin paste.
Now cut the cooled Rava mix into strips. Take one finger and dip them in cornflour mixture and roll in breadcrumbs.
Now heat oil for frying. Drop the fingers in oil and fry till golden brown.
Drain excess oil in a paper towel and serve with ketchup. Garnish with some grated cheese and boiled green peas.
Kids will love this we are sure.


2. Fruit Yoghurt

Take a bowl of yoghurt, drain excess liquid by wrapping it in a muslin cloth.
Chop some seasonal fruits and add to the yoghurt. Chill for half an hour before serving.
Alternately, fruits can be pureed also. Fruits like mango, strawberry, banana, coconut, litchi and custard apple are kids’ favorite.

We are sure Fruit Yoghurt will be a hit with your little one.

Ways to spend quality time with your kids

Who on earth does not want to be called the ‘best parent in the world’? But achieving this special tag is sometimes harder than you can ever imagine. Though some people hold inborn qualities of becoming a perfect parent, some need to toil really hard for becoming so. But the moment you are considered the greatest father or mother by your kid it seems to be the best happiness or reward you can ever receive. Having a perfect balance of all qualities of a good parent can only help you cross the hurdle of this reward.

Spending quality time is extremely crucial

When you spend real good time with your children you will surely progress towards becoming their closest friend. And that will largely help you be their best ‘friend, philosopher and guide’. Infants need extra care whereas teens require special mental support from their parents mainly during their adolescent period. Otherwise they may end up becoming stubborn, unruly or indifferent. This is why you need to spend a particular time of each day with your little ones even if you are too busy a person with your professional work.

Ideas to create quality, uninterrupted time with kids

There are various effective ways of spending quality time with the most important ones of your life i.e. your children. No matter what time of the day you spend with them they are always happy being with you. Give at least one hour of time every single day to the small ones and do not forget to include the whole Sunday also. When you have kids at home, holidays must mean being with them only. But this does not mean you cannot occasionally go out with your friends. Here are multiple ways you can spend time with your little ones.

Eat at least one meal together: If you are a working parent it is difficult for you to have lunch with your kids unless you work on night shifts. So at least try taking one meal with your family and having a simple chit chat while having food will strengthen your relationship witheveryone in the family including children. It is studied that teenagers who have breakfast or dinner with their parents perform better in school and enjoy a good night’s sleep.

Play games: Playing outdoor games is necessary to build better rapport with children. They also enjoy playing simple indoor games like chess, puzzles, video games etc. with their parents. They are the happiest ones when they can defeat you in those games. As a parent you also instill sportsmanship qualities in them.

Exercise together: Take children for jogging or morning walk or even for swimming in the pool. You can go to the park cycling with them and exercise there. Even if you perform simple free hand work outs or yoga, ask them to participate with you. This will not only bring them closer to you but also keep both you and them healthy and fit.

Pray together: They say the family that prays together, stays together. Prayer is important I feel. No matter how old your kids are, it is never late to start. With toddlers it can be a sentence prayer, “God, give me courage to …”, “God I thank you for….”. But with older kids, share your highs and lows with them; ask them theirs and then pray for them together.

Go out for shopping: Be it grocery shopping or purchasing clothes, gifts for other occasions take your children with you so that you get to spend time with them. This will enable you to know their choices and how they behave in public places. 

Other benefits

Apart from the above mentioned benefits there are various other advantages of spending time with your infants and teens at home. When they stay psychologically closer to their parents, teenagers tend to be less likely to get addicted to smoking, boozing or doing drugs. They stay away from suicidal thoughts and misbehaviors. You will encourage good behaviors and manners through this. They will realize how important it is to be disciplined and what way they can be so.

Spending time with your teens and kids offers you the opportunity to love them more and also to be loved more intensely. They feel highly secured hence perform surprisingly well in all challenges of their life. Support them and make them feel strong since you are there holding their hands and walking side by side. Show interest in each of their activities even for the shortest while and most importantly do be kind, friendly and warm to them for each moment you spend together.

A chance meeting with an ex Udgam parent is worth mentioning. She and her husband said they have nicknames for their kids like no one else has! The family time spent on road trips and family trips is invaluable. It's often an adventure, the family can never forget, and it's a great chance for them to connect with their kids.