Why Story Telling Is An Important Tool In The development Of Child?

“Is your child a picky eater and does not eat well”? Tell Them a story.

“Want to calm your child showing tantrum”? Tell them a story.

OR

“Want to teach them about good touch and bad touch”? Stories are a great way to teach them almost everything.

Children love stories!!! It’s a GIVEN.

Irrespective of any phase where a child is, stories have the power to transform any situation for the better.

However, in today’s world, this art is slowly becoming obsolete. With nuclear familiar set up and both parents working, gadgets have replaced human interaction and communication.

Children miss out on a lot of developmental milestones, without stories that play a very significant role in their cognitive development of infants and young kids.

Why Stories Matter for Children’s Learning

Stories have a great influence on children’s young minds which shapes children’s perceptions of reality. In cultivating imaginative and divergent thinking, stories help in building emotion of empathy. Scholars suggest that through stories, children learn to develop a critical perspective on how to engage in social action.

Studies have shown that storytelling aids children develop their own perspectives about the world on aspects of identity such as gender and race before the age of five.

Novelist John Berger suggests that “young children begin to recognize patterns and visually read the world before they learn to speak, write or read printed language”. Storytelling strongly influences the way a child thinks and behaves.

Storytelling can play a crucial role in helping children learn about the natural world and its challenges. It significantly helps convey values, beliefs, attitudes, and social norms which in turn, shape children’s perceptions of reality.

Researchers believe that children learn to behave, think, and act through the characters that they meet through stories. When a story is told through various forms of picture books, dance, images, songs, or oral retellings – are one of the most fundamental ways in which we communicate. Children internalize the cultural and gender roles of characters in the stories by building a strong connection.

Albert Einstein says “If you want your children to be smart, tell them stories. If you want them to be brilliant, tell them more stories”.

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Benefits of Story Telling :

It can’t be emphasized more that storytelling creates magical moments for children, helping them to grasp the concept better. Children’s interest levels are higher and they sit enthralled for the moment. There are enough reasons why storytelling is considered important. Here’s why:

• The significant role of storytelling is that listening to stories enhances and introduces a lot of vocabulary to children. Children are curious to learn and understand new words. They can relate to the words better and are able to retain in memory for long.
•  Storytelling is an interactive activity where someone encourages children to think by using their imagination and visualizing.
• We have grown up listening to stories of grandparents, which is now replaced by technology having no interaction. Digital storytelling is less humane.
• It makes children aware of their cultural roots. Storytelling allows them to learn about their own culture, and helps provokes thoughts, not just morals.
• Children’s listening and grasping ability is significantly improved by way of story-telling.
• Storytelling gives a motivating reason for English language learners to speak and write English.
• The enthusiasm and love for reading are greatly improved when storytelling is practiced on a regular basis.
• It inspires purposeful conversations and not just about the story but there could be many games that can be played.
• Children develop an enthusiasm for reading texts to find stories, reread them, and thereby learn in the process.
• As children are quick learners, storytelling helps organize information and project it in a formatted way. Facts can be forgotten but stories are remembered. The facial expressions, gestures, and body movements made by the storyteller enhance the impact of conveying information in a better way. This is not present while reading the book.
• It is a great way to keep children away from screen time.
• Storytelling is the oldest form of teaching. It is a brilliant way to develop a deep understanding of kids. Storytelling promotes a positive attitude to people from different lands, respect, and appreciation for other cultures and traditions.
• Emotions are real when they see real person narrating concepts to them. Children relate more to learning and remembering when they watch someone enacting.

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What kind of stories can be told to children?

Folklore from different traditions:

India is a place with multiple cultures existing together. The cultures are rich and if explored give us insights about diversities and bonding among them. You can share your experiences, how you have known about different cultures, and what it teaches us. Every culture has customs that convey a lot about humanity and the ways we live. Children can learn a lot about that.

Personal Experiences:

You can share your life stories, your growing up days, your school, college days, your friends, and relatives.

Stories that you have heard from your grandparents, will definitely catch the attention of your little ones. The ancestral place you have visited and the food and music that all the family bonded with. It is so much fun as well as learning for kids.

Moral Stories:

Morals in life cannot be taught in a better way to children than through stories. Stories that you have grown up with, which had the most impact on your life. Stories that changed your perception of life.

Children are most likely to learn a lot when they get to know about these stories. Make it a way of life to spend time with children and share stories.

Your Child’s Interests

Take out time to find out what interests your child a lot. The characters which they like to watch them can be picked and made stories about them. Let them know what you had grown up watching. Which characters were your favorite and so on.

Select books that have a lot of pictures in them, which excites children a lot. Tell the story to children, pointing out to the stories and explaining them.

This will get your kid more involved and hooked. Isn’t that you want from an activity.

Books You Loved As a Child

You can read out books that interested you in your childhood. It can be about animals, morals, religious characters, folklore, fairytale, interactive books, picture books, etc.

There are chances you might share the same choices for characters with your child. It is more likely that you will enjoy together more.

Why Story Telling Works?

Through stories, you can teach ANYTHING.

“Story Telling is the most powerful tool to put ideas into the world today”- Robert McKee.

Storytelling is giving the information with context, which when given is easier to organize, understand, and remember.

Contrary to the list of random numbers or facts, our brains hold information into a sieve by a story-telling method.

For example, it is difficult to make a child remember the order of historical occurrences if mere numbers and years are given, in order of its occurrence.

If the same information is given with a storyline with the character, probably it will be much easier to grasp and easier to recall.

Stories have the ability to move us emotionally. Mere data and facts do not have the power to make humans act. When people are emotionally compelled, they are more engaged. More of the brain is engaged in remembering than random facts and figures.

Characters leave a mark on our minds, which children too tend to understand better.

Stories make a difference to people where they are actively receiving information than a passive one. It also changes how children choose to act in the world.

A mental picture of the stories often envisioned in the story settings that slid into participation beyond classroom walls and storyteller’s presence. This improves the literacy skills of children.

Students of all ages love stories and can be easily engaged to teach and entertain. It helps develop concentration and imagination. Storytelling makes children get emotionally involved and truly enjoy the learning process.

If you would like to make learning fun for children, you can do so by having the Uppercase and Lowercase Alphabet Clipcard for Alphabet recognition and identification.

Do you include storytelling in your child’s learning? How happy are you with the responses your child shows while applying storytelling as a learning tool? Let us know in the comments the stories you read out to your child to date, and how it has impacted them.

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How To Encourage Free Play Among Children?

Academics and play both need to be kept in balance if parents want their kids to excel in life. Having the freedom of free play puts children on the road to success and achievements in life. Giving them ample time and resources for free play shows a hidden, brighter side of the child which if nurtured and developed could really achieve commendable new heights and give a winning story already.

Free and unstructured play happens when the child is not following any rules or guidelines. Free play improves their creativity, imagination, independence and problem-solving skills. Let children express themselves in whichever way they want to.

But sadly this type of play has been seeing the lows since the 1940s because of changing ideas on education and fears about letting the kids be supervised. Parents though have started understanding that free and unstructured play is a powerful brain booster but they still need to accept this concept and let it happen naturally.

Parents can let free play become an exciting and organic part of their kid’s life by doing these things:-

1. Be encouraging and praising towards kids–

Parents should encourage the activities of their kids by praising them on what they are doing. For example, you can appreciate your kid on the giant mud castle being built or the beautiful sea princess dress she made for kids prom night.

It’s not necessary to offer your end suggestions about what needs to be done rightly. You have to know that the kids need to experience the feeling of doing things on their own whether wrong or right.

2. Provide kids with what playthings or stuff they demand-

To encourage free play, provide them with what they want. If they want soft toys, or puzzles or any particular board game, colouring crayons or that super character dress, do give them that. It will encourage imagination and give a boost up to their spirits about the fact that they are doing something good and their parents too are with them.

Children develop a strong sense of self-worth from being creative. For e.g., while making a house of cards your child may have to try to keep the card house intact and it may topple over many times. But by trying again and again the child will learn the virtue of perseverance and gain confidence over his own quality of patience and problem-solving.

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3. Reserve proper amount of time for free play—

Parents should know that free play is a great form of self-expression for kids. It lets them breathe in their shoes and focuses on a thing they like.

Kids develop confidence, become more organized in thought and action, develop their creative wings and get ready to soar high, winning in all their endeavours.

Parents should not overburden them with a tight schedule of homework and extracurriculars which they don’t specifically like. The stereotype routine should be improvised to let enter the fun world setup where they feel happy, active and free.

4. Invite everyone-

Parents should invite the kids from the neighbourhood and assemble them all in the front yard giving them playthings which they like. In this way, your kid gets exposure to children from different backgrounds, age groups and thinking and thus have more fun.

Mixed-age gang ups lead kids to diversify their territory of thoughts making them smarter, able, proactive and an all-rounder. It creates a better environment for learning and gives a lot of interactional opportunities.

5. Make kids understand the importance of free play—

Parents should make kids understand the importance of free play by letting them experience boredom and the feeling of being stuck in the same activity for long. Then they must know how to overcome this feeling, without the interference of parents giving their piece of advice as to the solution to their problem.

Kids must be encouraged to go find their own perfect solution for their boredom issues and thus giving them the power of choice and decision making.

6. Be there when needed—

You surely need to give kids their play space to have fun but you can’t expect them to keep on playing alone for ages. Sometimes parents should participate and play with their kids trying to make things more fun.

Parents should know that the ego needs of kids and their emotional health is related to free play. It helps to develop self-worth and confidence in children giving them a feel-good effect.

Free play as proven by research is fundamental to every kind of learning and it paves the way for healthy and active functioning of the brain, looking forward over the horizon of stereotype learning.

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Parents can add fun chunk in the lives of kids by-

Giving value to fun zones—

Places where children like to go like a park, a play centre, museums, gardens, should be remembered and parents should take their kids there more often. Allow kids to do whatever they want to do without interfering there. Physical activities performed will nourish their body and mind ushering in renewed spirits, making discoveries, knowing about his choices, ideas and more.

Doing some extra parent-effort–

Make kids more people-friendly, spirited, enthusiastic about outdoor adventures. Make them smarter in outlook and learning to rely on their own senses. Allow him to know new things, discover new people, places, events and possess the power to lead.

Today one of the most concerning aspects of raising children is the amount of time they spend in front of screens, whether TV, DVD, Video, Computer or Play Station. They are just being passive recipients of auditory and visual stimulation. These ways are very artificial forms of gaining knowledge which lack natural touch and through does not help children in gaining anything valuable. Therefore, free play comes as a healthy, alternative measure which provides every opportunity to make children productive in every respect.

Child development goes through different phases and each phase involves learning and various skills. To know more about child development and its main areas, read the post on Child Development and The Areas and Skills Associated With It.

Share your thoughts in comments, how free play can be productive for your child.

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Lockdown or Not – Teaching Life Skills is Important to Kids

Our life may have taken a different turn due to the COVID 19 pandemic and we are forced to stay indoors, but teaching has not stopped for our children. In this high-tech world of the internet, it’s all too easy for our children to miss out on practical life skills in life. We as parents tend to do everything for our kids instead of letting them figure out how to fend for themselves.

We should remember that life skills are valuable lessons in which children are going to use them throughout their lifetime. This lockdown can be a change in parenting techniques we have been applying till now. Don’t wait until kids reach teens. Genuine learning can go beyond core educational topics. Instead of trying to force academics, consider using this time to teach life skills to kids.

Teach these life skills to your kids at home during the lockdown and put them on the path towards independence. 

1. Basic First Aid

   Kids are like sponges and will learn faster at a tender age. Teach kids what each item in your first-aid box is for. Tell them what for they are used and how they are used. Educate them not to freak out on watching blood, or how to rinse any wound with water first. Then put some ointment and apply a bandage.

2. Health and Hygiene –

   Explain to them why leading a healthy life is crucial. We always tell them to cut their nails, wash hands, change our clothes daily, brush twice a day, wash hair at alternate days, and so on. Children should learn these things while growing up to imbibe in their day to day routine. Prepare a checklist of the activities which they should do daily. Over time they will establish the habits and will perform without reminding them on a daily basis.

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3. Simple meal preparation

   – Keep your child beside you while preparing basic meals. You can assign small tasks that they can do it like peeling green peas, applying butter or jam to slices of bread, rolling rotis, or preparing sandwiches. By doing simple little things they will develop interest and will be able to manage basic things on their own with their growing years. While teaching these to kids keep telling about safety all the time. While children will be doing these kinds of stuff, parent’s supervision is important all these while. Little older kids can also try baking or toasting.

4. Decision Making Skills

    

   Every child should begin learning to make decisions at an early age. It can begin by simple decisions of buying a dress, choosing junk food over healthy ones, watching TV or playing outdoors, sharing with kids at play, and so on.

 These skills, when learned at an early age will bear good results in their upcoming years. Explain to them the consequences of decision making, by walking them through the steps. Help them weigh their options and evaluate the pros and cons of that decision and see how things shape up.

5. Cleaning

   With kids at home, it is inevitable to have a mess of things all around. From the early years, children should be taught how to keep the house clean, which they will eventually practice in later years as well. It can begin by teaching how to clean the daily messes which kids make and how they can clean up themselves.

Keep a big basket along which kids can use to collect things in it at the end of the day. Make cleaning part of their routine by teaching them how to make beds, put wet towels in place, keep footwears in the shoe rack, and such daily activities. Setting a daily routine will help them make part of their lives. They can easily pitch in the small daily chores.

Parents who wish to engage in some productive work but are running short of ideas, to begin with, can definitely count on these useful ideas to stay busy during this lockdown period.

6. Sewing  – 

Basic sewing can be learned by little elder kids, which in turn builds their self-confidence,                               knowledge, independence who can contribute to the world. Basic sewing is easy to learn and is loved by most kids. It can be really helpful to them when stuck in any such situation.

7. Time Management

   Time management skills can take a while to be learned by kids but should always be encouraged from an early age. Teaching kids these from an early age will develop them to be responsible for managing their time wisely. Practicing it daily will help them master really fast. Actively help children design a daily schedule for managing their time actively.

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8. Writing a letter –

Children should be encouraged to communicate what they are saying across. They should be taught to draft a letter and address it to either a family member, close relatives, or friends. Teaching kids to make greeting cards with eye-catching drawings will keep them engaged and will create interest in them. Older kids can be taught to draft four parts of the letter: date, greeting body, closing, and personal thank you signature.

9. Gardening

Plants are a kid’s best friend that teaches so many important lessons of life. Living in the company of greenery is so therapeutic and healing. The calming effects of green plants placed around help lead a            life in a healthy environment. The basics of planting is a good way of bonding with kids and teaching them an important life skill. Teach them to dig a hole and plant a seedling or a tiny plant. Help them by watering the seed in the pot. Children love to do these things if done frequently at home under guidance.

10. Doing the laundry –

Kids who are of age 6 and above can be taught this skill to get them a hands-on doing laundry. Kids are smart enough to easily get through the process of putting laundry in the washing machine, add detergent, press the setting button, and start the process of washing. Don’t aim for perfection at this tender age but yes kids can help you out with these kinds of stuff as well. Soon they will able to learn to get the clothes out and put them to dry.

11. Handling Money –

Parents can get started with a piggy bank at home. Children love the concept of saving money in their toy piggy and are always excited by the idea of purchasing their favorite piece of a toy or their long time eyed garment. The school maths learning can be further utilized in making it a life skill. Imbibing the practice from the early years will make them effective money handlers in later years. It will help kids grasp the concept of saving, spending wisely, and making investment decisions in later years.

What are your views on making life skills an important part of the life of children? I would love to hear in the comments. Also if you have any additions to add to the list, please share it in comments.

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How To Meet Work Obligations With Kids Around During Lockdown

The entire world is battling the increasing effects of the COVID 19 pandemic, with all of us forced to stay indoors for an unprecedented time. The lockdown effect shows no signs of easing up, where many of us have begun to settle into a “new normal” of working from home with kids around us.

It is a challenge how to remain productive in a comprehensively changed ‘office’, thereby establishing new rules to help with the transition. I know it’s a challenge but together we can do it! If you follow certain rules and stick to the new schedule, managing both things will not be an issue anymore.

To help you through these difficult time we have gathered some helpful strategies for parents who are trying to fulfill work obligations, with kids in close proximity.

Establish A Routine:

It is important to set out some kind of structure for the day. Both kids and adults will benefit if a routine is established for them. A routine will help you stay sane and make it productive for you as well as your kids. Begin your day by sticking to the routine, while giving your time to kids during breaks.

Add more activities for kids keeping them engaged while you focus on your work. Dedicate morning hours completely to your work, while scheduling some breaks in between to attend to kids.

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Dedicate A Proper Space For Work:

You’ll be able to focus more on your work if you are working on a designated space for office while working from home.

Communicate to your children that when you’re at your workplace at home, it is time for them to engage in other activities.

Steer them towards different activities each day, such as puzzles, painting, craft activities, etc. Even kids will benefit from the routine, clearly set by you.

Act as if working remotely isn’t home during the scheduled work shift.

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Swap Work With Your Spouse:

Juggling the roles of a dedicated employee and a caring parent can be quite stressful for you during this time.

Long hours of meeting and deadlines are inevitable keeping you busy with work obligations. The lockdown situation has left parents with no assistance from babysitters or daycare centers.

Acknowledge that the situation is not the same and all of us trying to adjust to the new normal. Therefore, it is important to make a schedule with your partner to divide the responsibility of childcare.

Swapping in and out of childcare duties allows each parent to have dedicated work timings with enhanced productivity. If you allocate time to concentrate solely on work ensures each parent gets key tasks done without resentment. Divide the work in a way that one parent stays away from children and focuses solely on work while other look after them.

Focus On The Positives :

There is a positive link between happiness and productivity. Figure out how to make the best of the situation, rather than dwelling on its challenges.

Do not judge yourself too much on what you can’t get done. Individuals at all levels are trying to adjust, finding ways that let them enjoy their time with kids.

Do not overload yourself by getting all things right. Focus on your priorities with your work and get the essentials taken care of. Unimportant tasks can be addressed later. Set realistic goals for both home and work life, and things that matter less can be slid to be taken care of later.

Communicate with family members:

Taking time to explain things is vital in setting boundaries. Be transparent about every member’s schedule which will make it easier for children to understand when you’re off-limits. Create a daily plan for the entire family that includes work and school schedules and make it known to everyone.

Well-structured planning, flexibility, and a combination of such measures can help create an environment allowing everyone to fulfil their obligations at the same time maintaining harmony amongst everyone.

Adjust Your Timings –

If you’re able to work at flexible work timings, utilize that time to deliver the most critical works. Don’t try to mimic the office routine at home. There is no harm in balancing a schedule that helps you adjust your timings with kids around.

Be productive when kids are engaged with other activities or are asleep where you can devote your 100% to work. This will help you spend valuable time with kids whenever they need your attention.

Remain Honest With Your Employer –

Everyone including your boss is trying to adjust to the new ways of working from home. Unavoidable distractions are bound to happen, even with the best laid out plans. Inform your co-workers and your boss about your split work schedule. With schools and daycare being shut for an unprecedented time, most of your colleagues also might be going through the same situation.

Bring it to the notice of your employer that sometimes you are going to be working on odd hours and will get the work done. There might be instances that they may hear noises and interruptions while a conference call. This way people will be more prepared and will not be thrown off by the distraction. Thank you for their patience.

Remember this is not your personal choice but a community issue. Stating the facts in a straightforward way will help convey the point. Let them know that you are keen to find a way that is going to work for both of you. This kind of conversation will help you navigate through the situation effectively and will help everyone-you, your boss, and your team members. Clearly communicating your needs will make your life less stressful.

Maintain Work-Life balance –

Dedicate specific timings to work and keep rest for spending it with family. Keep things clear with your manager to maintain a work-life balance.

Maintain work productivity by working during dedicated hours. Give your best while at work and the rest to your loved ones. Working from home doesn’t mean that you are available for office work throughout the day. Be honest and do not burn out yourself, which will eventually affect your work quality as well as your health. Don’t beat yourself up too much of not being able to get everything done at one go. Relax and take time off for yourself.

Juggling between managing home, kids, household chores and tons of other activities can take a toll on your health. It is an intense situation where we all are together and this too shall pass. Be adaptable and plan out with your family members in navigation this reality. You’ll be able to steer your way out keeping your cool and managing things in a much better way.

Do share your inputs if you have any other strategies to be added to the list shared above.

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Ways To Deal When Water Accidentally Gets Into Ears

We all love to stay active and energized. And we prefer to be so by being engaged in indoor or outdoor activities.  Most of us are particularly interested in water games and sports especially kids. Some children even take guided training in water-based activities like swimming, water dancing, boating, underwater exercises, or just like to enjoy the splash water activities to cool down the heat of summers.

Everything said, though it’ really fun to go swimming or do water exercises, it sometimes happens that when we come out of the water some of it enters our ears. It gives us hearing issues, pain, and sometimes severe problems of infections too. Water may enter our ears in not one but many ways. We may accidentally pour water over-ears while bathing or someone may pour it on us as a prank. If we wear earbuds for long, then also sweat gets trapped inside and cause discomfort.

If this situation is not taken seriously, soon we may end up with an infection called Otitis Externa or Swimmer’s ear. If we have water in ear canals, the bacteria present in the lining of ears start to act and multiply fast coming in contact with water causing infections of many kinds. Water in-ears makes it prone to infections because water damages the skin lining the ear canal as a result of which fungal infections can start.

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How To Prevent Water From Getting Into Ears

To prevent water from entering into ears we can follow these steps:-

1. Tilt the head of the child on the blocked side of the ear. Do so for five to ten minutes. The water from ears will drain away.

2. The gravity may work -The gravity technique should help water drain from the ear. Lie on one side for few minutes with head on a towel to absorb the water. The water may slowly drain out of the ear.

3. Using the blow dryer- Turn on the blow dryer adjusting it to the lowest intensity. Hold it about a foot away from the ear and move it back and forth in a slow-motion so that the warm air blows into the ears.

4. Eardrops of Alcohol and Vinegar – Alcohol can help evaporate water from ears. It also prohibits the growth of bacteria helping to prevent infection. And vinegar can help to remove earwax. So, using alcohol and vinegar ear drops can be quite helpful.

This method should be strictly avoided in the case of :

1. An outer ear infection
2. A perforated eardrum
3. Tympanostomy tubes(eardrum tubes)

What One Can Do To Lessen The Pain Caused Due To Water Entering Inside?

1. Using hydrogen peroxide eardrops can also help clear debris and earwax, trapping inside the ear.
2. Warm Olive oil – Olive oil can help prevent infection and remove water from ears. Warm some olive oil in a bowl. Using a clean dropper put a few drops of this oil into the affected ear. Lie on the other side for fifteen minutes and then tilt the ear downwards.
3. Jiggling the earlobe – Shake the water out of the ear by gently tugging or jiggling the head in the downward motion towards the shoulder. Shaking the head from side to side keeping the same position can also be helpful.
4. Over the counter medication – A number of eardrops are available in the market. Most of them are alcohol-based and can help reduce moisture in the outer ear canal, kill bacteria, and remove wax.

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How Does Water Enter The Ears

In usual cases, water may enter the ears because of angular imbalance but because of structural advantage, it comes out pretty easily too. But the problem arises when there is a large amount of wax inside the ears. Wax may have a protective function generally but if present in large amounts it traps water that enters ears, blocking its drainage. It leads to pain and an uncomfortable feeling inside the ears.

VISIBLE SYMPTOMS OF WATER IN EARS

1. An uncomfortable and blocked feeling inside the ears.
2. A feeling of heaviness inside the affected ear.
3. Giddiness.
4. Pain and continuous itching in the ears.
5. Infection in the ear.
6. Tickling sensation with not being able to hear properly.

PRECAUTION IN CASE OF MEDICAL ISSUES

If your child is fond of swimming, follow these steps to avoid water going inside the ears:-

1. The child should not go swimming with a cold. If the child goes swimming with a cold and takes a dive in a pool there is a sudden increase in in-ear pressure. This ear pressure is released through the canal which connects the ear and the nose.

And this can happen only if the nose is free and open. If the nose is blocked due to cold this pressure             cannot be released. This rising pressure can cause the eardrum to burst.

2. If your child is complaining of frequent earaches then a medical examination of ears must be done by an ENT surgeon and have the wax removed as soon as it can be.

Things Not To Do When Water Enters Into Ears

If you cannot think of any remedy or a good idea to remove water from ears do not use ear swabs, fingers or any pointed object to poke inside ears. Because doing so would make the ear more susceptible to getting bacteria into the area, will push more water deeper into the ears, injure ear canals and may puncture the eardrums.

How It Can Be Prevented

Few simple tips can help prevent water from getting stuck in your ear in the future:

• When planning to go swimming, wear a swim cap or can use earplugs.
• When out of the water after the swim, thoroughly dry the outside of the ear with a soft towel.

When To Consult A Doctor

Generally, water trapped in the ears is not a big issue because just as it enters the ears, it drains out too. If discomfort persists for more than 2 days, consulting a doctor is a must. On examination we find that ear has become inflamed or swollen then we need to know that it may have got an infection. It needs to be treated on time otherwise it may lead to hearing loss or other severe complications like cartilage or bone damage.

Do you have any more tips in dealing with this issue? Let us know in the comments below.

Share your tips and ideas to make summer holidays interesting for kids in the comments below. Please share this post if you like it on social media platforms.

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Life for a couple is not only a very hunky-dory but a responsible affair wanting more sincerity on the couple’s part. Especially if you have kids, you need to start looking after their welfare and overall development. And making their children do homework proves to be a super challenging task for parents because most children are quite apprehensive about doing it.

My daughter is promoted to Standard 1 this year, which makes me more concerned about her learnings at school, that needs to be practiced at home.

Children dislike homework as it wore out their rest and fun time. It brings back the ‘just completed school scenario’ into focus making children upset and angry that their playtime gets minimized.

How Doing Homework Helps A Child?

Homework has it’s multifaceted advantages. Below you can read a few:

1. Homework is a great way to make students responsible and independent learners.
2. It brushes up the learnings implemented at school and teachers get to know how much a child has absorbed in school.
3. It is a great way to achieve perfection
4. It makes parents become involved in their child’s school activities, thus enabling them to keep track of their development and functioning.
5. By doing homework a routine and disciplinary setup are constructed for students who develop better qualities, skills, senses, and abilities to take control of their lives.

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How To Get The Child To Do Homework?

Parents usually resort to either of the below methods, when it comes to getting the child complete their homework.

1. Bribing

Parents try to sometimes persuade kids to do homework by bribing them, i.e. promising them their favorite treats when they complete their homework. Maybe a visit to a friend’s place or a favorite scoop of ice-cream. Parents wish to become an angel in their kid’s eyes, completely unaware of the side-effects of adopting the technique.

Why Parents Should Refrain From Bribing Their Kids?

As a parent, the responsibility of getting the homework done should not be only for the sake of completing it. Homework is disliked by children universally, but parent’s role-play comes in weaning them to do it. Children should be motivated to learn by doing their homework. Making them perform their homework in return for something, deviates them from the actual purpose of learning.

When this is practiced repeatedly, children will eventually lose interest in studies and the urge to achieving success in the longer run.

2.  Scolding and threatening–

Authoritarian approach to parenting is the mode for some parents. So, parents turn to scolding, threatening, and giving physical punishments to get the homework done. Sometimes kids are threatened of holding back the rights and privileges they are entitled to at home.

In reality, threats are extremely harmful to children. When a child feels threatened, the survival area of the brain gets affected. Then the focus of the child shifts from properly completing homework to finding ways to escape punishment. The concentration to learn attentively is no longer there. They may also cheat taking the easy way to learn which is not the best way.

What Parents Should Remember While Adopting The Threatening Technique?

Parents should lead their children by setting an example themselves. Bullying and frightening children are never going to work out. Contrarily children lose faith and emotional connectivity with their parents. It also makes their personality suffer as they lose self-confidence and become confused. There develops a strained and distanced relationship between them.

Children begin to feel that parents are not interested in and concerned about them and their lives. This can lead them to go astray. Instead, parents should be kind, understanding, encouraging, and sometimes lenient too trying to put their kids in a comfort zone they wish they were in. Parents should themselves become an idealistic example for children who would feel proud of them and would try to imitate them in life. They must become friendly and approachable to kids and bring them in their confidence circle so that they feel good and motivated to do good things and achieve successful milestones.

3. Trying to help kids the other way–

Sometimes parents in an effort to help out their children, do all of the homework themselves. The actual purpose of giving child homework is then off-tracked. They get the message that they have a choice to take short-cuts.

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Trying To Be Overprotective And Making Things Easy For Them Is Not The Right Way

Do not make life a cakewalk for your child. They would soon stop valuing what is being given to them. They will turn out to be an easy-going personality, lacking the enthusiasm to achieve big in life. Overcoming challenges will be difficult for them. On the face of life’s challenges, they fall flat. It leads to damaging their self-esteem. And then begin the blame game, leading to nowhere. It is a sure-shot recipe for their failure all through their life.

Parents should make every attempt to bond with their children, which gives them the boost and the confidence to move ahead in life. Check out these tips to bond with your kids and build a good rapport.

What Steps Parents Should Take To Make Their Children Do Homework?

Some tips that will help children find an interest and focus on their homework :

1. The benefits of doing homework should be imparted to children.
2. Homework should be projected as a challenge like any other challenge in life.
3. Parents should show a positive attitude toward their children in doing homework. It should be presented to them as interesting, informative, helps sharpen skills, and is not a problem to escape from but a fruitful activity to indulge in.
4. Parents should help their children do homework by taking part in explaining concepts and clearing doubts.
5. The value of disciplined work is always rewarding. Kids should be shown with examples.

6.   Make them develop a focused approach while doing homework.

7. Parents should try to set an example for their children to follow. When your child is doing homework don’t watch TV or listen to music rather try sitting next to him/her and show that you are interested in it and would be willing to help them out.

Working The Way Out To Get Homework Done From Children

When children are explained the underlying concepts about doing homework, they are more likely to respond in a more positive way. Helping a child understand and find meaning in the said task will put across the message in the right manner. Make the task look like a challenge to overcome and not a route to escape the problem.

Setting the right approach will for sure make things work out differently. Let the approach be of enthusiasm and happiness rather than that of disgust. Stay in your child’s team helping him overcome the problem by devising strategies in the most fun way possible. It will build a child’s self-esteem. This will enable the child in decision-making, problem-solving, and resilience until the goal is accomplished. Homework is a lesson in time management.

Parents should always keep the communication channel open with kids. This helps to build confidence in a child to open-up for any and everything in their lives. Constantly re-assuring the child will help them realize that homework is a self-development activity leading to success and better things in their lives.

What techniques do you resort to while teaching your child? Is it a challenging task to get things done without losing your cool? Share your everyday stories of teaching your child.

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To Live In The Moment-The learning I obtained from my daughter

“It’s already 7 am and first of all, you haven’t brushed your teeth yet, Soha…..Hurry up!!!! Turn towards the wash area, to freshen up and proceed to have breakfast.”

This is the everyday scenario.

Hence, our weekday mornings are no less than a battleground. For me!!! Not for my daughter.

Lazying around, without any qualms of missing the school bus,in-spite of reminding her every few minutes, at times she makes me speak in a high pitched voice. But this too doesn’t do the trick.

A week back or so, when I was instructing her to hand over the notebook to the class teacher while putting it in the school bag, n number of times, while leaving for the bus stop Soha interrupted…

“Mama it’s just a notebook”…!!!

It doesn’t matter, even if I forget it to hand over to my teacher. I can do that the next day.”

After boarding her to the school bus, the response uttered by my daughter kept echoing.

We refined individuals who strive hard to teach children, the ways of life, sometimes fail to understand the nitty-gritty of life themselves.

One fails to see that adults also have many invaluable lessons to learn from children.

Children see life from a different perspective. So what, if things don’t go as planned.

Similarly, in the humdrum of daily chores and worry about the future, we tend to forget to live the simple joys of life.

I have learned from my child, it is so important to truly feel the joys of the moment, soak up in it and admire the beauty around you and live in the moment as much as possible.

Sometimes, it is okay to forget certain tasks, not necessary to be perfect. It’s absolutely okay to stop worrying about the future. Like literally. To stop and smell the roses.

It’s blissful to watch children being playful, which is the very salt of life.  Without which it would become, a burden, slow torture, for them.

Children admire the world and find joys just by experiencing what’s around them. We mature individuals tend to forget that tomorrow is not guaranteed, then why fret over it.

In a child’s mind, there is no reason to ponder over yesterday’s mistakes or get tensed about tomorrow’s unforeseen events.

The child sometimes teaches us how to stay away from unseen distractions and live in the moment only.

Life is meant to enjoy, we should not forget that.

So, we are the one who is responsible for our happiness. My daughter has taught me to live in the moment and get the rules as well as the regulations out of life in some instances.

Children are wise beyond their years. As we move ahead in life, likewise, my perspective to comprehend things have changed, for good reasons.

Above all, my daughter reminds me that we are offered with life which is an amazing gift.

Therefore we should be grateful for it and live in the moment and make the most of it.

Mother’s User Manual in the Voyage of Parenting

Mother, as casual and fun it might sound, the journey of parenting is much more than raising a child. A new mother, a mum to be, a mother who has been midway or :

A mother who is through with most of the responsibilities, whose child is ready to fly the nest, each of us experience different kinds of responsibilities and struggles in the respective phases.

As a parent, we all are striving to make our mark in this journey of parenting and give our child the best of everything at our disposal.

Time being the most precious gift, a child can ask for, which is limited for everyone.

However, it was and always will remain the best investment for a parent, towards his/her child in making their lives emotionally fulfilling, enriching in all aspects, and finally giving them a sense of belonging.

We are all learners in this roller coaster journey, picking up all the “Gyan and implementing it in our lives.

Some works, few don’t. And in the process of learning and unlearning, we create memories….a long-lasting one.

As cliché it might sound, it’s our commitment and our devotion which plays a crucial role in forming an everlasting bond with our children.

Every other element involved is secondary;

The various physical and psychological changes which a child undergoes from birth through adolescence often give parents a run; on how to tackle their child and engage them in a most fruitful manner possible.

I am no expert in the journey called parenting,  I too have failed several times. And learning every single day. A few days back, I stumbled upon a post which has provided me with a road map to take my voyage forward.

The valuable facts shared in the post has given me the push, to head in the right direction.

Here’s, the user manual, phase by phase which would require investment towards our children, which finally takes you to bear sweet fruits later.

First Seven Years

Within the first year of the birth of a child, the visible signs of progress can be seen on various fronts.

This is the foundation, as well as the base from which our relationship with them grows.

In the first seven years of life; our goal should be to build a strong connection with our child. If this is rock solid, then the remaining years will be much easier.

We should strive best to create good memories with them, which will be entrenched in their innocent minds.

If this is rock solid, the remaining years will be much easier. If this foundation forms poorly, the next years will be more challenging. This is the time to roll up our sleeves and invest heavily in our and their future.

Next Seven Years

This is the time to teach them about family culture, traditions, norms, and all the things to survive throughout their lives.

This is the time when they are sponges and hence, ready to soak up everything we tell them, teach them, show them and do in front of them.

Furthermore, If we built that solid foundation in their foundation years, now they will be more than willing to learn from us. Teaching them sports will introduce them to learning sportsmanship, as well as teamwork.

They gain many benefits of physical fitness as well as, exposure in various spheres of life.

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The Final Seven Years With Us

Once children hit 14, they are probably already full adults and accountable for their actions. This happens at puberty or at age 15 at the latest. At this age, they are mostly out of the picture.

Children achieve independence as well as their personalities manifest, they look more to their peers than parents and families.

During these critical years; most importantly, we need to befriend them, and advise them and do what we can understand that they are now full adults and the choices are theirs to make, right or wrong.

If we had worked hard during the last two periods of seven years, then we will be already that trusted confidant, that adviser, that go-to person when they need help or advice.

Hence, be part of their lives and advise them as best we can.

Useful Parenting Tips To Make Your Child’s Growing Years Worthy

Parents are responsible for making the tiny infant into a well-grown, responsible, and caring adult. Positive parenting improves their overall development. All developments are interrelated and cannot be defined under water-tight categories. It is important for parents to actively participate to ensure that the child’s growing years are worthy.

Communication Is The Key

Effective communication is the most important factor in establishing a connection with your children. Let them express themselves freely and hear them out to come to any conclusion. Understand from a child’s perspective and provide them with positive feedback. Make them comfortable in speaking out, without being judgemental. It will make them comfortable.

Remain Sensitive To Your Child’s Need 

Never let your child go unheard. Always be there for them, irrespective of how small their needs are. Make your child realize that we understand and will fulfill their needs.

Stay Positive 

Negativity is easily sensed by children. Share your problems with them and discuss how you are approaching to deal with them. Make them understand that problems are part of life and one should feel stressed out about it. Discuss what you are doing creatively, how you are coping up, and finding out a solution to the problem by maintaining a positive attitude.

Make Emotional Quotient High-

Love and care always nurture good fruit only when they are cultivated, worked on, nurtured and pruned. Become their confidante, and let them know you are always there for them, no matter what. Show your love and concern for them all the time.

Build Trust, Love, and Fair Play in Relationships 

Having a loving and friendly environment nurtures a child in the most positive manner. Children emulate elders and end up doing exactly the same what they see. So therefore a huge responsibility lies on the shoulders of parents to steer them towards an environment that is free from discrimination and foul play.

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Go For Family Get-Togethers 

Encourage family time by going out together and spending quality time. A family who bonds over eating and praying stays together. It makes the child feel valuable and important. They will make it a habit to always be together in all activities with family members.

Establish a routine for Eating, Playing, and Sleeping

Make quality time to spend with your kids refraining from television. Stick to a fixed routine for eating, sleeping, and playing together. It will make them build good habits which will remain with them for a lifetime. Children pick routines and mannerisms from home and surroundings.

Show Them Your Unconditional Love and Support

Make efforts to convey that your love for your child is not backed by any condition. Be supportive of them even if they do not score as per your expectation or do not perform well in any activities. A supporting family always stands together and lend a helping hand to build each other up. Let them know that you are there for them even if everything goes wrong.

Show Affection and Care

Children emulate their elders and what they see around. A loving and caring environment will build the child in a way to respect and have compassion for others. While a child who has been living in a quarreling and fighting environment will be the one who feels it is normal and continues to behave with others in the same way.

Speak With Your Child Even If You Are Feeling Tired

Don’t let tiredness become a barrier between you and your child’s quality time. Drop down other works but make a routine to interact with your child for a good amount of time. Talk to them about their day at school, about their peers, teachers, how they performed at class, their peer talks, etc. Share how you spent your day, how you are going the way, an employee is expected to be, how you deal with positivity when faced with challenges, and so on and so forth.

We all have our own ways of raising our children and steering their life for betterment. Share your methods and practices which you employ to build your child’s future that is worthy. How do you bond with your child? What are your approaches to positive parenting? We would love to know.

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Does your communication with your child exude positivity in words and in actions?

Do you strike a balance in showing positive and a little stricter reactions?

In this post you will learn why resorting to a positive attitude towards your parenting technique is important for raising a child and how I use this technique while dealing with my daughter. According to Stacey C Brown (a parenting counselor in Florida) ” positive parenting can preserve a grown-ups sanity”. 

What is Positive Parenting And Why It is Crucial For The Development Of The Child?

The single first step towards positive parenting is communicating and building meaningful relationships with your family. Be watchful of the tone of voice, body language, and attitude while speaking with them. Don’t let yourself pre-occupied with other responsibilities while you are with your family members. BY staying present for your family, you create a deeper connection with them thereby creating positivity. It will eventually lead to meaningful communication and connection for your children.

It is the responsibility of the parents to cultivate positivity in their lives. Be vigilant of your thoughts, feelings, and actions. Indulge in activities that bring you joy.

Practice replacing negative talk while communicating with your children with positive self-statements and gratitude. When this becomes the practice, it reflects a peaceful aura at home.

Evaluate your thoughts, behaviors, and feelings on a regular basis. Reflect on the kind of people you surround yourself with. Do they reflect positivity in their words and actions or they deflate?

Draw a line and set boundaries with people who maintain a negative mindset. Surround yourself with family and friends who are positive and support their words and actions. Positive surroundings will encourage you to tread the path to maintaining the positivity you desire for yourself and your family.

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Aspects of Positive Parenting

• It provides Unconditional Love
• It involves Caring
• It is valuing the sensitive needs of a child
• It is always non-violent
• It is Guiding
• It teaches
• It empowers
• It is consistent
• It provides affection
• It provides opportunities to regular open communication
• It provides emotional security and warmth
• It recognizes the positive
• It shows empathy towards the child’s feelings
• It supports the child’s best interests
• It rewards accomplishments

How you can foster positivity in your children?

Parents should facilitate opportunities for children to engage in creative expression. Help your child express their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. This practice will encourage them to get in touch with their thoughts, feelings, actions, and behaviors. Children will learn to express themselves in a healthy way. Positive parenting is a continual relationship between children and parents. Positive parenting results in better conduct of children.

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Here’s How I Practice Positive Parenting With My Daughter

On a regular weekday, while my child was busy painting her imagination on a piece of paper, I was engrossed on my phone, sipping a cup of hot coffee, on a chill wintery evening.

Scrolling through news apps, quickly flipping from one to another(Uffff!!! There are mills of them which is so time-consuming, yet one can’t do away with them), I quickly glanced through all of them, in the meanwhile decided for the dish to be prepared for dinner.

Out of all her favorite activities which my daughter enjoys lovingly minus any bit of qualms alongside her playtime with her best friend, has always been coloring and painting. I always treasured it whenever she presented me with her neat and thoughtfully chosen colors on her coloring book. I encourage her to continue doing this because she is immensely good at it, additionally stays away from screen-time.

She doesn’t need me by her side during the activity, which gives me time to wind up my other tasks. But today she was different. She was not enjoying her activity rather just scribbling to finish the work given. The moment I stood up to move towards the kitchen, she didn’t approve of the same. She wanted me to watch her painting and guide her if she doesn’t perform well.

“Why was my little chirpy nervous” I was astounded by her behavior. She was never doubtful of herself except on the studies front. I quickly scanned if anything been said or done in my presence, which made her doubt herself. I could not recollect any.

I cocooned her in my arms, trying to sniff, what had gone wrong. She was silent for longer and I let her be. She comforted herself before speaking out the actual reason for the kind of reaction she was showcasing.

My Daughter: Mama, a few of my classmates mock at me when I draw my paintings. Should I stop doing this??

Me: Consoling and empathizing with her, I drew her closer. She could fathom my solicitous touch.

Locked in my arms, her eyes met mine. She longed to be served with acknowledgment and validation. I lifted her coloring book and explained it to her. Her observation of the surrounding around her is commendable, which visibly reflects in her artwork. The shades which she chose to complete her art-piece, exuded her talent and love for the activity. I made her understand that to draw so neatly with thoughtfully chosen colors at this age is not a small feat. And I am so proud of her. I would love to see her paint more and more.

These statements of mine filled her with confidence, made her sparkle. “Sachi Mama!! You love my paintings…..”

She beamed with confidence.

She trusted and believed in herself. Self-doubt was emancipated.

I too have my bad days when I’m unable to keep my cool, but I now tend to be calmer and refrain from any kind of strict attitude. It has helped in multiple ways.

Tell us what technique you resort to in dealing with your child? Is it a mix of positive and negative reactions? Do let us know how you deal with mood shifts?

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My Mantra To Prevent Kids From Falling Sick Often

Watching your little tot grow, is such a pleasant experience for any parent. With their passing years, gradually they begin to unveil their inclination towards a particular hobby or interest areas. Well, I’m ok with whatever my daughter chooses as her profession in her later years, but these days finding her immersed in painting or creating caricatures most of the time, I encourage her to continue it more often. Like any toddler of her age, she too scribbles on walls and doors of the almirah. I don’t want to hold her back, when it comes to experimenting and enjoying her play activities, minus screen time. It’s a boon for me that she so happily enjoys playing with colours, which now she has proudly announced to her friends. The result—all her friends are at home to enjoy colouring. It’s no surprise, the walls of our home are the prime target for the very simple fact that a wall is a child’s first slate.

It’s fun to watch children so playfully engrossed but at the same time, I am worried about the germs which pass on from one to another. And not to mention the bizarre looking walls of my home. But I didn’t want to stop them from pursuing their happiness. Their happy go lucky faces is all we want as parents, isn’t that so. I came across Asian Paints Royale Health Shield from an advertisement and that moment I decided to go for it and get it done for my home. Asian Paints Royale Health Shield is a revolutionary indoor paint equipped with Silver Ion Technology, a technology recommended by IMA which prevents 99% of infection-causing bacteria on the painted surface within two hours of exposure, providing a more hygienic environment at home. My concerns were put to rest and my daughter happily enjoys her colouring activity at home now. It is washable and with no possibility of making the place a breeding place for germs.

It has a Teflon Surface protector which makes it extremely durable and toughest household stains becomes easy to clean. The promise of Green Assure from Asian Paints implies that the product conforms to the strict international environment.

An alert mom and always on the lookout for the best products for my family, I recommend Asian Paints Royale, Health Shield.