News Analysis India

Tag: kids

  • Developing Ideas For Summertime Activities | Culture News

    Hence, vacations need to be productive and here is where parents can help by devising and conceptualising inquisitive activities that kids like and learn from. Summer camps provide a great opportunity for kids to try new activities, develop confidence, teamwork and leadership skills, physical fitness and make lifelong memories as outlined by Niru Agarwal, Trustee, Greenwood High International School.

    Here are the different things they can do during vacation, check out the list…

    Building a routine for children

    Ensure that the kids have a schedule, especially during the holidays, and that they have something to look forward to each day. Lack of routine could lead to the development of habits that are not conducive to learning, Children could wake up every day with the excitement that they will learn things they haven’t before. A new day every day is highly fulfilling for them.

    The Need to Learn Multiple Skills

    Parents’ hectic work schedule and the active school life of kids may not allow them to focus on other skills and parents may not find the time to teach crucial life skills to their kids during the academic calendar. Learning skills other than routine work will help students handle the larger world better. Hence summer holidays assume great importance as both children and teachers can spare time for learning things other than academics.

    Striking a balance between Home and Outside

    Children should realize that life can be diverse and heterogeneous and that they need not remain staid. Sometimes children would stick to just one kind of task which may stunt their growth. Hence, they need to be active both within and outside their homes and balancing their activities would help in their intellectual growth and make them more confident individuals. Too much of either would result in the growth of a unidimensional personality.

    Encouraging children to be creative

    Encourage your kids to express their creativity by enrolling them in a local art or craft class where they can freely paint, draw, and make things. They will be able to think logically and express their creativity while being engaged in art classes. Enroll your kids in music lessons so they can learn how to play an instrument, sing, or even write songs on their own.

    Participating in social work

    Volunteering is a great way for kids to give back to their community, develop empathy and compassion, and learn about social issues. They can also get to know the skills involved in social work and replicate the same, which will help them in the future. Look for opportunities at local food banks, animal shelters, or charity organizations.

    Learning hobbies will widen horizons

    Training in certain activities would help in developing a consistent approach to one’s outlook. There’s also a hobby you’ve always wanted to do and summer vacation can be a perfect time to learn new ones. Children can take summer classes to clear their concepts on a variety of subjects, which will give them a head start and enable them to develop an interest in the subjects they find interesting.

    How learning a language matters

    During the language learning process, you will explore a whole different culture and maybe even make new friends who are also learning the same language. In the current scenario, communication skills are extremely important and learning a new language during your free time would enrich you. You can try to find something that you have always wanted to try – you can join organized classes, e-learning, or watch videos and self-study language or similar other domains. This opens a whole new world.

    Set technology boundaries

    While technology can be a great tool for learning, it can also be addictive and detrimental to kids’ mental and physical health. Thus, there is an immediate need to teach technology to children in a healthy way. Set boundaries on screen time and encourage your kids to engage in other productive activities.

    In conclusion, it can be said that the best way to help children spend a productive summer is by finding out new things to learn. This creates excitement and the will to learn. A healthy balance between a variety of activities to engage in is necessary to assist children in whatever activity they prefer as well as in discovering new interests. This will go a long way in ensuring the holistic development of children and a fruitful and productive summer time, concludes Niru Agarwal while speaking with IANS.

  • Parenting Tips To Keep In Mind If You Have A Teenager At Home | Parenting News

    Parenting a teenager can be hard. It’s the time they begin coming into their own and develop very distinct, unique personalities. Logic and reasoning take centre-stage and their likes, dislikes and wants become stronger. For parents, this period can seem very overwhelming, as the child who used to listen to every word you say suddenly becomes an individual with their own thoughts and ideologies.

    Navigating this sensitive time can be tough, but experience states that simply being mindful can go a long way in parenting your teenager.

    So, as we step into 2024, Smita Bansal, actor and mom-influencer who shares her expertise on raising teenage daughters on coto, a social community platform led by women, shares some things that helped her bond with her teenage daughters, and they might help navigate this challenging, yet fulfilling phase in your lives, too:

    Also read: Winter Skincare: 6 Tips To Keep Your Skin Nourished – Expert Explains

    1. Gain their trust: As teenagers, children want to be heard and have their emotions validated. Provide them with a safe space to open up to you. Lend them a sympathetic ear, do not interrupt when they speak and ensure that their conversations with you are confidential should they choose not to discuss their feelings with anyone else.

    2. Spend time with them, especially post-school: As they grow, teenagers can get slightly detached and reserved. So, try to spend as much time with them as possible. If you work from home or are a stay-at-home parent, spend an hour or two after school discussing their day. This will help you identify if there’s anything worrisome happening in their life (bullying, heartbreaks and the like).

    If you have open conversations with them, chances are that they will confide in you. If you work from the office, create an evening or a nightly routine to do fun activities like playing a game or watching a movie together. Use this time to discuss their day and share instances from your teenage years so that they understand that you, too, are human and have had similar experiences.

    3. Go on trips with them: Traveling strengthens bonds, and it’ll probably help them see you as a friend/confidante rather than a parent. So, whenever possible, plan a trip together in a way that it includes both your favorite activities – be it trekking, exploring historical places or visiting temples. This way, not only will they have fun but learn to adjust and adapt to situations.

    4. Focus on the things that matter: As parents, it’s easy for us to get irked about things like hairstyles and outfit choices, while these may be a way for your teen to express themselves better. But eventually, it’s their personality and skills that matter more, so focus our energy on helping them develop those. Sure, advise them on how to present themselves keeping certain dress codes in mind, but choose the things that you want to focus on to help them in life.

    5. Be tough, but not harsh: When children are younger, it’s easier to tell them what to do and what not to do, but as they grow into teenagers, they tend to get more rebellious. So, it’s important for you to understand where to be firm with them and when to give them some leeway. It could be simple things like them choosing a certain subject or something more serious like them trying alcohol, but set ground rules from the start and in case they don’t stick to them, give them logic and reasoning instead of scoldings. This way, their trust in you will not fade away.