Parenting

In this fast paced modern life, time seems to be the costliest commodity!

In a nuclear family  or for that matter even in larger families parents are very busy as most couples are working professionals. Hence parents and their children are spending less time interacting with each other. As a result, many children are getting less personal love and attention than they deserve. 

World  Demographics reported that  parents today spend roughly 40 percent less time with their children than did parents a generation ago. It seems to be the influence of the western culture even in Indian families !

Moreover, it has been observed that many parents of our school think/believe that spending academic time with their children  is not required as we follow the play way methodology and therefore no monitoring is required of their  work. On the other hand at primary level as we do not have text books it is all the more necessary to overview their learning as the method encourages optimal self learning under minimal guidance.

To help families stay connected, below is a list of helpful family time tips. Keep in mind that both quantity and quality time is important when choosing activities. So build happy memories around and exciting events by keeping your family time creative and enjoyable.

1.   Eat together & listen to each other:

Most children today don't know the meaning of a family dinnertime. Yet the communication and unity built during this set-ting is integral to a healthy family life. Sharing a meal together allows the opportunity to talk about each other's lives. This is a time for parents to listen, as well as to give advice and encouragement.

Attentive listening conveys a message that a person is really interested in another. It also imparts a sense of worth and helps develop trust. Therefore, listening is a critical link in successful parenting.

2.   Read often

It's important for parents to read to their children. The latest research indicates that reading to your children cultivates an interest for knowledge and stimulates language development. It also increases their attention spans and helps them become more curious. Look for books that your child would enjoy reading.

After reading, ask questions about the content.

3. Do chores together

Part of what goes on in the home is the development of teamwork. Functional family life depends on the contribution of everyone. Assigning chores is the most productive way of teaching responsibility and accountability to your children. Doing chores with your child will help foster good communication skills.

4. Help with schoolwork

A great way to spend quality time with children and light a fire of learning is to help children with their schoolwork. A parent's eagerness to help will cause a child to become more interested in school thus improving his or her grades. Regular trips to the library for school projects are an inexpensive and enjoyable way to spend time with children. Helping should begin with an understanding that children are responsible for homework.

 Parents are there to help their child get organized and to encourage them when they get stuck.

5. Start a hobby or project

Choose a fun activity that your child is interested in. Activities like cooking, arts, crafts, puzzles or riding bicycle will make great hobbies that can open the door to exciting family time. Once a child learns a new  recipe or is able to cast a lure accurately, let him or her take the lead with your supervision.

6. Play games

New technology has made video games more prevalent. As a result, many children are spending long hours in front of the TV or playing computer games. Parents should find creative ways to spark an interest in family-oriented contests such as board games or card games. This will give parents additional time to talk and nurture their relationship.

7. Plan a family outing

Sometimes getting out of the house is important. Hop in the family car/ bus and go for a drive.

Prepare a picnic lunch and visit a local park. Take time to play catch or ride a bike. A stroll in the garden will help parents interact with their children. Also, a visit to the zoo or museum will spark a child's enthusiasm and enjoy in lap of nature.

8. Encourage athletic activities

It is vital for children to exercise. Sports not only strengthen the body, but also build character and determination.

Whether it's a father bowling to a son or a mother and daughter walking, finding time for athletic events is important for a child's emotional and physical development. This is a great opportunity for a family to interact.

9. Create a Family Time calendar

Since many parents have hectic schedules, time with children often becomes a low priority whether intended or not. Post a calendar on the refrigerator and have parents and children pencil in special events. Knowing when you're going to meet may also help you think of creative activities. Commit to keeping this schedule free from interruptions.

10. Pray together & attend a house of worship

Nothing is more special than taking a few minutes each day to pray with a child before bedtime. By explaining the purpose behind prayer, children will learn the importance of faith as the foundation for the family. Also, encourage and allow the child to participate in religious functions and give their importance.

Courtesy : SAIS

THE LIGHT FEST…!!!

Diwali… The festival of Lights and a true representation of Celebrations! It brings loads of happiness because it holds in itself lots of values.  We all experience the amount of time and energy spent on cleanliness to keep our adobes neat and tidy, spick and span.  We learn further to enhance our culinary skills as we try out for variety in preparing delicacies. There is sense of love and affection as we meticulously wrap gifts for our near and dear. We engross ourselves in offering prayers for prosperity and light in our lives so also in the lives of our family and friends. Above all, young and old very anxiously wait for something very thrilling… CRACKERS!

BUT DID WE NOTICE….Behind every cracker is a story!

The story of a child, sometimes barely five to six years old, with his hands drenched in the poisonous magnesium and phosphorous chemicals, but not holding a toy to play or a book to read, working in the manufacturing units of crackers!

The story of air pollutants hidden inside the crackers, awaiting their flight straight into the atmosphere, where many more have piled up, to make this world more and more miserable place to live and the air more and more hazardous to breathe!

The story of hidden sounds and noises which when explode, not just shake our eardrums abnormally, but also palpitate our heart unnecessarily!

There have been number of accidents during this festival at the cost of life-long damages and it is scary to think about more to come.

Why not think of keeping this festival bright in our hearts with enlightened minds? Why not say NO TO CRACKERS? At least no to those which produce sounds of high frequency! Lets us join hands for a safe festival, for safe Diwali shall always remain a great Diwali! 

WISH YOU ALL A HAPPY, SAFE, POLLUTION FREE AND NOISE FREE DIWALI!

IGNORING THE NEGATIVE IMPACT OF THE ENVIRONMENT

Ganesha Chaturthi (गणेश चतुर्थी) is the Hindu festival celebrated in honour of the lord Ganesha, The festival lasts for 10 days, ending on Anant Chaturdashi (fourteenth day of the waxing moon period).

The festival involves installing clay images of Ganesha in public pandals (temporary shrines), worshipped for ten days with different variety of herbal leaves, plants and immersed at the end of the festival in a water (lake) along with the Idol. This cycle was meant to represent the cycle of creation and dissolution in Nature.

This event has given a new dynamic shape due to religious fanatics. People have used convenient ways and means to celebrate the festival on a commercial basis. This has popularized the production of Ganesh Idols by using Plaster of Paris. This is a man made material, easier to mould, lighter and less expensive than clay. This is a fact that everyone knows that this material is insoluble in water and moreover the chemical paints used to adorn the idols contain heavy metals like mercury and cadmium causing water pollution due to immersion of idols.

The facts are ignored and neglected by the learned people, youth and students  at large even after repeated efforts made by environmentalists, NGO’s and other’s.

One such effort is also made by our school every year to encourage and teach the students to enjoy and the need for celebrating  an ecofriendly festival. As a custom the teachers celebrate the festival using a clay  Ganesh and encourage them to immerse the clay idols at school. The dissolved clay is back into the soil and the Patri(Leaves) is sent to the school compost pit.

It’s an appeal to parents also to encourage this tradition to safe guard our water and plant resources. 

Environmental Concern - Ganesh Chaturthi - in our school (View Photo Gallery)

A Wellness Note

Hand Sanitizers seem like a good idea when you find yourself in a “DIRTY” situation. The public health, the media and the schools constantly advice the kids to wash their hands to prevent the spread of illness.

The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) says that the waterless hand sanitizer consists chemical ingredients that are absorbed through skin. Especially the Triclosan a Toxin, when constantly used in long run can cause several health and behavioural issues in Children. It also concluded that the old fashioned use of soap (coconut oil) is good and effective way to get rid of hazardous pathogens.

For more search google.com about “Dangers of waterless sanitizers”

Lets us find a solution:

Ø The best method is to habituate your child to wash hands with plain mild soap and water and get rid of germs. Please note that the school provides plain liquid soap in the wash area for students before and after lunch time.

Ø  Make your own hand sanitizer with essential oils. It is best for your children as it prevents them from natural cold and flu.

       Ingredients

• 3 oz. filtered water
• 1 tsp. aloe vera gel
• 10 drops cinnamon essential oil
• 10 drops clove essential oil
• 10 drops rosemary essential oil
• 10 drops eucalyptus essential oil
• 20 drops lemon essential oil
• Instructions: Mix ingredients in a 4-ounce spray dispenser, and shake gently. Spray onto hands (3-5 sprays) and massage the spray into hands for 5-10 seconds.

SAIS Courtesy

Seven ways to interest your child in reading

1. Children must catch the habit of reading.

Reading is not taught, it is caught. It is a habit. Your child needs to catch it. Children observe adults around them and catch many habits, good and bad from them. If the adult members in the family are in the habit of reading, children will begin to copy it early in life. So, make sure that everyone in the family reads. Your child must see everyone else at home reading.

2. Choose texts that interest your child.

Reading interests vary from child to child. Do not assume that all children like stories. Some may like factual texts. Give them a variety. Observe what interests them. Give them more of such texts. Children, like adults, love to read what they like to read. Do not force anything on them.

3. Choose texts appropriate to their level of reading.

Reading level varies from child to child. It has no direct relation to their age. The reading level of a child of 10 years may sometimes be as low as that of a child of 6 years. Or, it may be higher too. If a child struggles to understand a text suggested for his age, give them something simpler. Complex texts can put them off very easily.(More about how to choose the right texts later.)

4. Read to your child.

To develop interest in books, read books to children from their early days. One story or one text a day can make a big difference to their life.

5. Encourage your child to join in, in your reading.

If your child listens to the same story a few times, a time comes when they recognise words and they want to read them. Encourage them to join in.

6. Engage your child in reading.

Encourage your child to ask questions about the text. If they want to react to the text, let them. Those are good signs of the child enjoying reading.

7. Introduce them to interesting texts.

Many children don’t know what to read. You as a parent can play a vital role in helping your child to choose what to read. You may first read a book and tell the child about the book. Only a lit candle can light another candle. Create interest in it but don’t tell everything about it. Leave it to them to read and find out. (More about how to introduce children to interesting texts in another issue.)

Why doesn’t my child read anything extra?

Does your son and/or daughter read anything beyond their textbooks? If yes, you are blessed. If they don’t read, don’t curse yourself or your child. Have you ever wondered why children don’t read? Here are some common reasons they put forth:

It’s boring: Maybe the things they are given to read are really boring. Find out what interests them. Let them read anything they like as long as it is not obscene.

I don’t have the time:  Children think they have too much to study. However, they find the time to watch TV, surf or play games on computers, go out with friends, watch movies, eat out.... but no time to read. It is a question of priority. Those who love to read find time while doing everything else. However, remember: don’t force it on them. Help them to have reading as one of the priorities in life. Create interest in reading. (More about it later)

It’s too hard: Maybe they are given books which are beyond their levels. Give them books they can read and understand.

It’s not important: If they think it’s not important, they don’t know what it can give them. Don’t blame them. They are too young to understand the surrender value of reading. Make them understand it gradually.

It’s no fun: If reading is not fun, obviously they are reading very drab stuff. Find out what interests them. Not all children have the same liking. Some like stories, some like texts on adventure, fashion, mystery, nature, science, technology, inventions. The list can go on. You are the best judge because there is no one who understands your child as well as you. Try and find out their interests and give them books they love to read. Once they get hold books they enjoy, trust me...nothing can stop them.

Parent - A Role Model

Six steps to be a good role model for your child

• Establish Open communication.
• Teach by setting an example.
• Be involved in your child’s life.
• Encourage and reward good behaviour.
• Mentor your child - Teach your child to take responsibility.
• Become involved in community – Demonstrate how changing the life of another person can be so rewarding.