Celebrated on the January 13th and 14th respectively and for the same reason, different states of India celebrate these auspicious day in different ways. Rejoicing in the fruits of harvest.
Celebrated by Punjabi Indians on the 13th of January, Lohri is marked by a bon fire, colorful clothes music and dancing. Popcorn, sesame, chikki are enjoyed. Makar Sankranti is celebrated on 14 January every year.This particular festival is celebrated by many more states, in different ways. This day is marked differently by the element of traditional prayers and kite flying. Celebrated in Tamil Nadu, Pongal this is a grand festival of four days. Learn more about the festivals celebrated during this season and WHY they are celebrated HERE.
So, how do you make these festivals relevant to kids today?
With books, fun activities and food of course!
Books
Let’s start with books. Here is a list of fun books you can read with your kids about these festivals.
Festivals All Year Round – This is not specific but talks about the many festivals around the year.
Creative Writing
It is important to teach kids how to relate to new festivals. Click here for PRINTABLES you can use to help kids better learn. They can discuss with you and answer or search online and create a resource.
Rangoli is decorative drawings that can be made with colored powder, chalk, playdough or more…
You can also color books with color pencils to mark the occasion.- Rangoli Books
Make a Kite
As mentioned above, you can simply draw a kite but making a kite would be so much fun and flying it out marks these occasions.
Craft with Sticks
A simple craft to do with kids, using sticks, colored paper and glue. You can use this as a wall decor or card cover for sending wishes to family and friends. Source of pic unknown.
Conversations over Food
Veg pongal
Puran poli
Makki di roti with sarson ka saag,
Lohri – Sarson da saag, Makke di Roti, Atta ladoo, Gur, Gajjak etc
Makarsankranti – Tilwa, Raamdaane ke laddoo, Undhiyu, Puran poli etc
India’s culture is diverse! It is essential you have these conversations about the many, many subcultures within to have a better appreciation of what Indian culture entails.
You can go to this post to see what foods mark these festivals that fall around the same time. Conversations about the significance, reasons and how they are celebrated about the world go a long way to expanding your horizons or having a better appreciation of your own.
Explore our children’s books – Sparkling Me Series for a better look at body positivity, diversity and inclusion. Build self confidence and acceptance within kids.
Adding a pet to your home is wonderful. However, there are things that you will want to discuss with your family before you get a pet. You will need to determine exactly why you want to get a pet, who is going to take care of all the pet responsibilities, and what kind of pet you want to get. Knowing all these options beforehand will help to ensure that your pet adoption goes off without a hitch.
Why Get A Family Pet?
Get together as a family and discuss why you want to get a family pet. Let each family member discuss why and what they are looking for in a pet. Adults may want to get a pet to teach kids responsibility. Kids may just want to get the pet to have something fun to play with. Sitting down and talking as a family on the benefits of getting a pet will help to educate everyone on the responsibility of taking care of a pet.
What Family Pet Should Your Family Get?
There are many types of animals out there that are a good option for a family pet. Getting everyone together and discussing what each person wants in a pet is a good idea. Take into consideration how much time the pet is going to need. If you live a busy, active lifestyle, taking care of an involved pet will not always be possible. If you travel a lot, you might not be able to take care of the pet as well. It is a good idea not to get any kind of pets that scare other members of your family. For example, adopting a snake may not sit well with every member of your house. It is important that all members of your family agree on which kind of family pet to get. You cannot come to an agreement at first, have several different family meetings, and research different pet options. This will help you to determine which pet would be best for your family.
Getting Ready For A Pet
Once you decide on what pet you will get, you will want to make sure that you start getting supplies. Getting supplies before you have the pet can help you be ready. Nothing is worse than having to run out at the last minute to find everything you need for your new pet. For example, if you plan to get a family cat, you will want to make sure you get all your cat’s necessities. This includes food, litterbox, toys, and more. You will also want to get the cat something to scratch on, like the Cat Scratcher Lounge. This will give your cat something fun to scratch on instead of your furniture. If you are going to get a bird, you want to make sure that you have cages and food before purchasing.
You also will want to make sure that you find a great veterinarian in your area. This will help to ensure that your pet is kept in good health throughout the years. Look for a veterinarian who has great reviews and comes highly recommended. You also want to make sure that you keep up-to-date with all your pet’s vaccines and any vitamins and minerals that they may need. For example, if you have a dog, you may want to go ahead and purchase flu medication and heartworm prevention.
Getting a pet can be a joyous time for your family. You will need to take your time and meet with your family to determine which pet works best for your family. Remember to delegate pet responsibilities to each member of the household. That way, everyone is helping with the pet and can help everything goes smoothly.
2020 was a year going to be remembered fondly for all the time spent indoors. As we all struggled with balancing more work, more time with kids and learning life lessons, these South Asian authors took their efforts from 2019 and more to diversify your library.
The books are a must read for all multicultural families but more so because the books empower the perspective of children from multiple angles. Simple storytelling, introduction to Indian culture, empowering conversations and more bind these books together and make it an honor for us to bring you the words of South Asian authors building awareness.
These books are a MUST read and a great addition to ANY library. Order them NOW or recommend them to your local library.
This is a hilarious and enjoyable tale that inspires kids to do things for themselves and not be lazy. Featuring vivid illustrations and an upbeat theme, Bug’s delightful story is perfect for teaching young children about the downsides of being lazy and the rewarding satisfaction that comes from taking control and being independent.
This sweet holiday story has an underlying message of self-love and acceptance, showing children that character and self-confidence matter. It’s perfect for reading aloud, early learners, elementary classrooms, plus anyone who loves holiday cookies! Great for introducing new vocabulary and opening dialogue about tough topics.
These coloring books are fairly large (8.5”x 11″) and printed on high-quality paper. The gorgeous cover has a beautiful gloss finish and inside pages are best for crayons, and colored pencils. A soothing and inspiring coloring book that reassures girls, they can handle big emotions and empowers them to develop inner strength and self-confidence. For Ages 2-100 and above 🙂
Ellen is different from other elephants. Many animals do not want to play with her. This makes her feel very sad. But all this will change one day. How? Through compassion and comedy.
From author/illustrator Devika Joglekar comes a book about an environmentally conscious girl, Lilu, who has decided to make homemade plastic-free Rakhi for Little Kuku. Through wonderful, vibrant illustrations and rhyming text, Lilu’s Rakhi teaches kids how to make a beautiful plastic-free Rakhi.
It’s time for Onam, a 10-day harvest festival celebrated widely in the Indian state of Kerala with a lot of fun, food and festivities! Travel with Riya to “God’s Own Country” and learn how and why we celebrate Onam.
Centering Ayesha’s love for her cousin as much as it showcases Ritu and Chandni’s love for each other, this warmhearted debut from Ameya Narvankar (published by Yali Books) celebrates the power of young voices to stand up against prejudice and bigotry.
Do you LOVE English nursery rhymes? Well, this illustrated book will show you how to sing 8 of your favorite songs to the same tunes – In Tamil! Free audio included.
Little Avery dreams BIG dreams. So big that he needs a little help from his pillow friends to tackle his nighttime adventures. Whimsical and charming, The Pillow Gang is a book that embraces the value of kindness and sharing, regardless of how different others may seem.
Ethirpatham (Opposites) – With over 30 flaps to lift, this delightful book helps children learn about opposites in Tamil in a fun and interactive way.
Paati Veedu (Grandma’s House) – Paati Veedu is a simple story that is a reflection of the author’s own childhood memories and depicts the joy an extended family brings into a child’s life.
Chanting the Chalisa creates positive energy and vibrations. Children who recite the Chalisa, will be filled with wisdom and strength. Sometimes children try to do things that can be challenging or tricky, and can cause them to become sad or frustrated. Praying to Hanuman can help children accomplish difficult tasks. He can bring peace and happiness to their minds, and achieve well-being. There are forty verses praising Hanuman, each line has been translated by The Jai Jais for children to easily understand.
This colorful story from author Priya Kumari and illustrator Komal Garg explains the meaning of Raksha Bandhan, the legend behind it, and how Taaraa and Chundoo give a bigger meaning to their festive day by visiting a fire station!
Mama needs to go to work, while the little champ is being taken care of by his teachers at the nursery, his nanny or his grandparents. Mama needs to step away, but the village around her steps up. Read ‘See You Soon’ together with your child to prepare and deal with being apart from each other.
Click to Buy
Sparkling Me Series
The following children’s Books (Growth Mindset stories for Global Citizens) were launched this year to empower children everywhere to build diversity and inclusion for acceptance, for others and self:
How Our Skin Sparkles– Answer this question using this multi-award-winning (voted Teacher’s Pick by Amazon) that uses culture, concept, and science to build confidence within and kindness for all.
Small or Tall, We Sparkle After All – A body-positive children’s book that teaches every child to be kind to others and themselves using science, mythology, and concept.
Sparkles of Joy – Celebrate the joy of togetherness this holiday season with a story that spans the festivities from Diwali to Christmas creating conversations around kindness, social skills and cultural uniqueness.
Owning one’s own home is a source of pride and comfort. The main reason contributing to happiness is based on one’s ability to house and take care of their family. For military families – veterans, servicemen and women who serve in the military, the feat of buying and owning a new home is often challenging and needs careful consideration. Some of the most important aspects to consider include finances, the family’s size, and the specific requirements.
The Size of the Family
A military family is one from which the man or the spouse is either in continuing military service or has been discharged. Despite the generalization brought forth by definition, every individual has their way of looking at the concept of family. Consequently, the family size may vary from one person to another.
Military families can plan for their new home by knowing the number of people living in a new home. The first avenue for this is to count the people who form the current home physically. The strategy could include the individual veteran in addition to other members such as the spouse and children.
The second way of planning for this is just bearing in mind that the serviceman or woman foresees starting a family. Having this in mind paves the way for the need to plan and acquire an appropriate home’s appropriate size and structure. In many cases, such plans also consider the possibility of having additional members of the extended family.
Having to consider the size of the family works well because it protects you from the element of surprise and the need to make changes or plan to move again. Owning a home is a significant step in, and proper planning goes a long way to ensure that you make a perfect life decision.
Financial Planning
Statistics show that most people who do not make prior financial planning end up settling for expensive deals. Some of them even end up not being able to own homes. For military families within California and throughout the country, the challenge in trying to own a home comes in a two-pronged way.
The long absences as you head out for assignments is a significant impediment to your availability to monitor the process of acquiring a home or keep track of the payments. Veterans and members of the armed forces are often occupied in service; keeping appraised on mortgages or construction processes may prove to be an uphill task.
Appointing an individual finance manager or institution could be one of the avenues for making a financial plan leading to owning the new home. Other service providers might suggest using housing or real estate agents to acquire the new home for a military family.
However, the best advice for you would be to use the available expertise of established organizations, such as CalVet. They have dedicated their skills and resources to assist veterans, discharged military personnel, servicemen, and women in ticking on their goal of owning a home.
CalVet Loans has been proven to be a leading source of success for military families seeking to find a new home in California. Consulting such establishments gives a great insight into the direction to take when trying to make an informed decision.
Specific Personal or Family Needs
Owning a home is an achievement of a lifetime, especially for military families. As the choice that you settle on for a house could end up being your permanent residence, an extra effort t research and consider everything will not hurt. To have the best experience and satisfaction in your new home, putting your most cherished desires into account as you plan a great idea.
For instance, if you have interests in outdoor activities such as gardening, landscaping, or plan parenting, seeking a home with a significant amount of space, fertile and productive soil is worth being in your list to be checked. Having children or planning to have them and other family members around the home should also inform the specific needs that you will need to consider.
All said, the process of owning a new home is both a vital and challenging one. Based on the difficulties of planning for a new home, the military family ought to give serious thought to financial planning, the family needs, and the family’s size is a significant step.
Driving can be stressful under the best of circumstances, but things can get particularly hectic when you must teach a young driver how to handle a car. Here are a few tips to help you stay calm when teaching your teen how to drive.
Have Your Vehicle Checked Out
Nobody likes to deal with unexpected car trouble, especially a teenager who might not know how to handle grinding brakes or a stuttering transmission. Your vehicle should be in good shape if you’re going to use it as a training tool. So get it to your mechanic and have it checked out before you begin your driving lessons. If you are feeling up to the challenge, you should always be aware of what is going on under your hood as well. Having replacement Darche parts on hand can help with any fears you might have about a shoddy vehicle.
Start Small
Teach your teenager the basics before you get to a busy road. This means showing them where the pedals are, how to use a turn signal, how to turn on the headlights, how to come to a complete stop, and other basic driving skills. Spend as much time on this as you and your teen need; they need to learn to walk before they can run.
Practice in a Safe Environment
Your teen’s main training ground should be empty parking lots and seldom-used back roads. There is little chance that they will get into an accident here, even if they make mistakes (and yes, they will make mistakes).
Pick the Right Time to Go Out
Once your teenager is used to (slowly) accelerating and coming to a complete stop in your makeshift training course, you can take them on the road to give them an idea of what “real” driving is like. When you do this, do not go out during rush hour or any other busy time of the day. Mornings and early afternoons will be better than later afternoons or early evenings, and weekends will be better than weekdays.
Take Breaks
Overwhelming your new driver will only be stressful for both of you, so know when to take a break. Get behind the wheel of your car and drive home. You’ll probably feel better being in control of your own vehicle again, and your teen might learn a few things by watching you.
Driving has become second-nature to a lot of adults, but it is brand new to someone who is only 15 or 16 years old. Be patient while teaching your teen how to drive, and don’t stress out too much when they make mistakes. As long as neither of you panics and your teen does their best to follow the rules of the road, we promise that you both will do just fine.
Getting a divorce is rarely easy. If you have children, the divorce can be further complicated. If you find yourself in this situation, you’ll want to keep the following information in mind so that you can provide a healthy upbringing for your child.
Keep the Focus on Your Child
The best way for positive co-parenting after a divorce is to remember that you’re both parenting the same child. While the end of the relationship may have caused you a great deal of pain, your child is going through their own issues at the moment. By putting the focus on your child, both you and your ex can allow the focus of your decisions to remain on a party about whom you both care.
Keep the Lines of Communication Open
Communication is key. While you don’t have to be friendly with your ex, you should make sure that there is a line of communication open so that you can discuss the important aspects of your child’s life. If your relationship is fraught, keep the communication focused on your child’s needs. Don’t use this channel to argue, but rather share important information for the good of your child.
Be Flexible When You Can
It’s always a good idea to be willing to be flexible when it will benefit your child. There’s a reasonable tendency for many to not want to be the parent who ‘gives in’ to the other, but it’s wise to act in good faith whenever possible. This will allow you to build a better rapport with your ex and encourage the other party to be just as flexible when something on your end needs to be changed.
Know Your Rights Under Child Custody Law
Child custody law can be tricky to untangle. It’s wise to create a custody agreement when you divorce, but your state may also have very specific rights and responsibilities for each parent. These could greatly impact your relationship and the choices the two of you make for your children. Before you make a major decision, make sure that the decision that you want to make is one that would be supported by the law. Consulting with a child custody lawyer, like those at the Law Office of Faye Riva Cohen, P.C., can help you better understand what your rights are.
Positive co-parenting after a divorce isn’t always easy but it is something that has successfully been accomplished by many parents in situations just like your own. Keep the lines of communication open, focus on your child, and know when to be flexible and when to bring the law into the process. If you can set up a plan that focuses on your child, your child can keep both of their parents involved in their life.
Ensuring that your child has the tools that they need to get ahead in their education is one of your most important roles as a parent. There is nothing that can replace a solid education, making it important that you put a top emphasis on this aspect of your child’s development. Here are five proven ways by which you can help your child get ahead in their education.
Make it Personal
Any educator will tell you that learning is a personalized experience. Teaching is not a one-size-fits-all approach that will work for every student. If you want your student to live up to their true potential, it is important that you understand how your child learns so that you can best support it.
One of the best ways to do this is to create a personalized learning strategy for your child’s specific needs and strengths. An individualized education plan will ensure that your child is being reached on their level and continually challenged. This will encourage them to reach their highest potential.
Teach Them Basic Organizational and Study Skills
You are never too young to learn basic organizational and study skills. While many parents focus on specific academic areas, it is the organizational and study skills that form the cornerstone of good learning habits. There are a number of age-appropriate ways that you can support the cultivation of these habits.
For younger children, start with teaching them to make and stick with a basic to-do schedule. Once they get older, you can begin to teach them how to use a desk planner to keep track of all of their responsibilities and deadlines. Not only will these skills help them to excel in school, but it will also provide them with invaluable life skills.
Stay Involved
A significant predictor of a child’s success in school is parental involvement. You can do this in various ways, depending on your own personal schedule. Start by making it a point to attend every back-to-school night. This will help you to establish a connection with the teachers so that you feel comfortable going to them with concerns.
If your schedule allows, it is a good idea to try to volunteer in the classroom as needed. This will give you an insight into the classroom dynamic, the way your child interacts with the teacher and classmates, and much more. It will also be easier to talk with your child about their day if you are more familiar with the routine.
Ensure Your Child is Ready to Learn
You cannot expect your child to be ready to learn each day if they are not feeling their best. Be sure that your child is getting adequate sleep each night so that they begin the day in the best position to absorb new information.
You can also support quality learning by making sure that they eat a healthy breakfast each morning. A nutritious breakfast will provide the energy that they need to power their brain and body. If mornings are difficult for you, make it easier by preparing healthy grab and go items for your child to nosh on during the commute to school.
Create a Work Space at Home
Your child will learn best if they have a positive place to work on their studies at home. Start this space with a comfortable chair and desk. There also needs to be sufficient lighting in place. Most importantly, the area needs to be free of distractions so your child can concentrate.
It is also important that you equip this space with the proper tools and supplies. You do not want your child to have to hunt down what they need to be successful in school. As your child gets older, you will want to make sure that they have the appropriate technological equipment to stay on top of their work and continue to push themselves to excel.
As a parent, it is your job to take your child’s education into your own hands so that they make the most out of all of these opportunities. These five tips provide a great starting point as you support your student’s educational endeavors.
Ever worry that your children will grow restless in the following places and scenarios?:
In line at the grocery store?
In a car on a road trip?
At the doctor’s office waiting to be seen?
If any of these scenarios sound familiar, then it’s important to note that not everything will work out in your favor. With that said, while children should know that not everything will work out the way they want it, they should also know how to practice patience. Not only is a good ability to be patient a good character trait, but it’s also an essential skill to have in life generally.
Here are 8 ways to teach your kids patience, to help them build good character:
Take Baby Steps
“When teaching your child patience for the first time, start small and short,” says Maya McDonald, a business writer at Revieweal and UK Services Reviews. “In other words, have your child practice patience in small doses, and don’t get angry at them for not catching on quickly. As they grow older, then you can expect them to wait longer for something.”
Practice Positivity
As mentioned before, you can’t get angry at a young child for not catching on to being patient – patience takes time to learn, just like any other skill. Therefore, it’s important to stay positive on your end, so that you can show them that patience is a positive thing, not something that should be dreaded or feared.
Reinforce Self-Control
When a child grows impatient, they’ll start to become antsy, and might have a slew of questions to ask you – that’s understandable. However, there’s a way that you can curb their anxious demeanor – self-control.
Children can practice self-control by telling them to calm down and wait before you fulfill their request. When they regain self-control, they’ll be less likely to act out.
Practice Purposeful Delays
Instant gratification, unfortunately, is everywhere. However, that doesn’t mean that your child should follow suit.
Instead, teach your child that waiting is important. Use purposeful delays, meaning that you can pick a random time to have them wait for no reason other than to have your child practice waiting.
Practice Taking Turns
Children love to have fun. So, why not have them play games that require them to wait turns?
Teach your kids patience by playing games that require taking turns. Or, you can take them to a park or a place of leisure to show how they must wait their turn on, say, a swing, a slide, etc. If they happen to struggle with taking turns the first time, then keep on teaching it by making more frequent trips to the park or leisurely place.
Show Visual Representation
Countdowns are also fun. If your child is struggling to wait for something, then have a timer or clock that they can see, and point out the time when something will happen or arrive, depending on the situation. Plus, you can use flash cards to show your child how close you are to a destination, or when dinner will be ready, etc.
Share Information
When children ask questions, don’t cut them off with a sharp reply, or get angry at them in general. Instead, answer them with information. If you know about how long something will take, provide the number of hours or minutes to them, or compare it to something relatable to help them understand like “Christmas is 5 sleeps away” or “The theme park is about one car nap away.”
Reinforce Patience With Older Kids
“With older kids, teaching patience doesn’t stop there,” says Summer Wong, a communications manager UK Top Writers and Elite assignment help. “You must still hold true to your rules on being patient. For example, if your child asks for a loan of $20, then say that they’ll earn it once the time is right, and they’ve done some useful things around the house. So, as they learn to be patient, they’re also learning to earn something rather than just receive.”
Conclusion
While no one is perfect, nor is anyone born with good character, children must still learn and practice patience wherever they go. Teach your kids patience even if it takes weeks, months, or years to get it right – it’s worth the wait (for parents) – just take it slow, and allow your child to thrive in practicing a skill that’s needed in the long run.
Kristin Herman is a writer and editor at Big Assignments and Essay writer. She is also a contributing writer for online publications, such as Boom essays. As a marketing writer, she blogs about the latest trends in online advertising and social media influencers.
The holidays are a truly blessed time. With Diwali moving onto Thanksgiving to Hanukkah and then Christmas and a new year. Every year, the world cheers together and the world sparkles.
To celebrate, we have put together the ULTIMATE list of holiday books released by self published authors from around the WORLD.
You can PREVIEW the books by the LOOK INSIDE FEATURE or by downloading them all FREE on Kindle Unlimited.
Sparkles of Joy – A celebration of Diversity and Inclusion
mark the joy that the celebrations of Diwali, Hanukkah and Christmas bring into the lives of all those who celebrate them and share them with the world. Launched on Diwali 2020, this book hit #1 in multiple categories on Amazon among tens of thousands of books. Perfect for early readers, aged 6-10 years old. A must for diversifying your library and building the conversation around much needed social skills, kindness, diversity and inclusion.
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Cami and Wyatt Share the Christmas Spirit
This is a heartwarming children’s book you’ll want to read again and again. Full of Christmas magic, this beautiful picture book will remind you that the true meaning of Christmas lies in our hearts. Hop along with Cami and Wyatt as they spread Christmas joy in this beautiful, heartwarming holiday book, the fifth in the award-winning Cami Kangaroo and Wyatt Too book series.
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What Happened to Santa’s Beard?
A fresh, funny take on the Santa story. Got us in the Christmas spirit and made us smile. This little book is a fun take on Christmas that is both timeless and relevant for today – even Santa can’t escape being influenced by the media. Beautiful, colorful illustrations. Appropriate for children of all ages. I’d love to see the author and illustrator of this wonderful little book develop a series of tales of holiday misdirections and misconceptions.
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My Magical Reindeer Surprise
It’s the season for giving with a kind heart. This extra-sweet Christmas book will spread joy to all families with a magical reindeer surprise recipe. Maybe you can start a new tradition on Christmas Eve! The book is written for children who 3 – 9 years old but is an amazing read for all ages!
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Santa’s Christmas with a Mask
A lockdown at the North Pole has made Santa so nervous! How would he get all the presents ready on time for Christmas – for all the good girls and boys?
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It’s Not Easy Being Santa
It’s Christmas eve and Bug accidentally finds a stack of letters that kids have written to Santa. Santa won’t receive the letters in time, so Bug wishes on a shooting star: “I WISH I WERE SANTA!” His wish is granted and he gets a surprise visit from his considerate team of reindeer.
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The Great PJ Ride
Bursting with Christmas magic, The Great PJ Ride invites readers to join a cozy PJ cruise through twinkling lights, dazzling decorations, and an extra-special surprise! The Great PJ Ride is a fun Christmas activity that you can do with your own family and build wonderful holiday memories. For anyone that loves going to see Christmas lights during the holidays, or if you’re looking for a fun new tradition that the whole family can do this year, this book is a must read! Grab a copy for your Christmas book collection, or as a gift!
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Douglas Fir’s Wish
A small, hopeful Christmas tree wants nothing more than to be a family’s Christmas tree. It’s his life goal. After being passed over for years and threatened to be put at the end of the road – Douglas unroots himself and sets off to find a family. Douglas ends up on a life-changing journey that changes his life and others’ lives in the process. While he goes out with the intention to change physically, it is the emotional change that makes a true impact on his life.
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Santa’s Zany, Wacky, Just Not Right Night Before Christmas
Discover a new holiday tradition your family will love!”One Christmas Eve it was a cold stormy night; and nothing at the north pole was going quite right…” Santa’s (Zany, Wacky, Just Not Right!)Night Before Christmas is a whimsical tale of Santa’s journey through a Christmas Eve that doesn’t go as he expects. One small event leads to a series of surprises that change Santa and Christmas as we know it. It’s a story to spark the imagination, make kids giggle, and bring a smile even to a grownup’s face.
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If Santa Didn’t Have A Big Sleigh
Lucy and Mary love Christmas. It’s their favorite time of the year! However, there is something that worries Lucy a lot: If Santa did not have his sleigh, how would he bring his gifts to all the children of the world? Luckily her mom knows the answer to that question… and she is going to tell them!
The Angel With One Wing
Tommy and Joshua, are inseparable angels, who love somersaulting through heaven. They are looking forward to announcing the birth of Jesus to the shepherds. Joshua loses a wing and Tommy unselfishly gives one of his wings to Joshua. How will Tommy be able to go announce Jesus’ birth since he can’t fly?
Where Does Santa Go On a Vacation
Santa and Mrs. Claus are ready for their own vacation. After a busy holiday season all around the world, Santa can’t wait to spend time with Mrs. Claus and have some fun. But with the whole planet at their fingertips, where will they go and what will they do?
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Ham Hands- The Christmas Elf
Everyone knows that Santa and his elves wrap the most beautiful presents. But have you ever gotten a present that’s…not? Too much tape? Not enough paper? A ribbon that just doesn’t curl? Well there’s a story behind those presents. The story of one very special elf, two big hands, and an even bigger dream.
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Giving Not Getting- A Christmas Lesson
What to do when your child is selfish and greedy, especially around Christmas time? Read about siblings who can’t wait to find out what they are getting for Christmas and how selfish they become. The parents are finding that the kids are arguing a lot about their Christmas list. Find out what the parents do to help the children learn the true meaning of Christmas. Great book for all children to read and learn from.
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The Great Latke Cook Off
A Chanukah book about family tradition, friendly competition, and delicious recipes. A wonderful read for families of all backgrounds!
Little Krampus and the Magical Sleigh Ride
Little Krampus dreams of riding Santa’s sleigh. When his father says no, he still sneaks away! Is he doomed to be gifted with naughty-kid coal? Or will Christmas magic get everything under control?
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How Santa’s Got His Reindeer
Everyone knows that Santa uses reindeer to pull his overflowing sleigh each Christmas. But do you know why he chose reindeer? Or how he got them? This delightful children’s picture book is 34 pages and is filled with 14 full color illustrations showing how and why Santa chose reindeer. Children meet Grandfather Frost, the iconic symbol of Russian winter, New Year’s and presents. Readers are exposed to the reindeer herders of Siberia and are given a brief insight of how they live and dress. They are introduced to a Shaman and his magical powers. And finally, children have their questions answered about Santa and his reindeer.
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A Silly Milly Christmas
Silly Milly is back for the most willy-nilly, very merry holiday ever! Lyrical limericks and vivid drawings will have both children and adults laughing with delight as this real-life Great Dane spreads holiday cheer with her unique “petitude. Pet owners will surely recognize her big-dog antics!
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A Christmas For Toys
Up in the bedroom, ’twas Christmas Eve night, and the toys were awaiting an incredible sight. Santa Bear was due to arrive very soon! Toy reindeer led the way beneath a bright white moon. Join the adventure with all of the toys. It’s a story that’s perfect for all girls and boys!
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Am I Ready for Christmas ?
If you could ask Santa for anything this Christmas what would that be? A new doll? A monster truck? A swimming pool? Will these things bring you Christmas Joy? Follow the journey of one little boy as he struggles to ask Santa for the perfect gift and to find the answer to the age-old question “Am I Ready for Christmas?”
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Just ‘Believe
A Children’s Christmas story about a young girl named Bella who has a unique Christmas wish, a donkey. Join Bella on her journey to see if Santa is real while being reminded to just believe in yourself and the magic of Christmas. Best for ages 4 – 10.
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Cutie Sue and the Christmas Miracle
The most wonderful time of the year is around the corner and Cutie Sue makes her wish list for Santa Claus, but there is something she is looking for on Christmas eve above all the gifts. Will her Christmas wish come true this year?
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Toggs
Everyone talks about the Christmas elves who make all of the toys for children, but no one seems to think of who’s making all the clothes! Meet Toggs, the Christmas elf who has a passion for fashion, a wizard with the scissors, and a head for thread. While Toggs loves his work so much, he feels at times neglected and disrespected. He soon finds his fears to be silly. An example of the importance of self-confidence and not allowing fears to overcome one’s true calling.
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Tree of Light
Tree of Light is the heartwarming tale of Aaa’Lee, a little seed who grows into a magnificent tree. Aaa’Lee learns to breathe, flow and shine her light through all kinds of challenges. One of them is to work through feeling worried about and forgiving Indigo, a bird who accidentally hurt her branch. The adorable pair eventually become great friends and, ultimately, very happy tree-mates. Together, they flow with the winds of change and appreciate the world around them Tree of Light is a wonderful picture book for ages 2 – 9.
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Where Would Santa Go
Join Santa in this playful sleigh-ful Christmas adventure as he shows you all his favorite places around the world from his magic sleigh on Christmas Eve. Now you can answer the question, Where Would Santa Go? Perfect for girls and boys, ages 4+.
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Doodle and the Magic Christmas Float
n a tiny town called Tinsel, there lived a young girl named Doodle. One day while Doodle and her friends were walking through the woods in search of the perfect Christmas tree, they stumble upon an old rusty trailer. With a little love and the help of her grandparents “Mimi and Paw-Paw”, Doodle and her friends will bring some Christmas Magic back to their town along with a new friend.
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A Gift for Santa
This wonderful and fun story is not only about Christmas, but it is also about friendship and kindness. It is a few days before Christmas. Snowflakes are flying in the air, and the children are drawing their Christmas wish lists. However, there is a little boy with a big problem that worries him: what gift would make Santa Claus happy?! And then he gets a great idea. And what do you think would please Santa?
The story is about a man called Bob. He was a happy go lucky guy. One fine day, bob was walking on a sidewalk, whistling.
Bob: (Gasp) Wow..!!! a time machine…
He went near to it and sat inside the machine.
He was whistling and exploring the machine in astonishment. Suddenly, the machine started working. He traveled to the dinosaur period.
Bob was so thrilled, at the same time a bit frightened. Suddenly, she realised there was something coming towards the time machine. He peeped out and saw a big TRex.
(Bob hold his mouth tight as not to shout and ran away from it)
He hid behind a rock, so the dino can not see him.
Bob: oh, noooo!
(The TRex was guarding the time machine.)
He was looking around him to see how to escape from there. He then saw a cave nearby. He sneaked silently and went into the cave.
Bob saw a lonely man sitting next to a fire, cooking something to eat.
Bob went near to him and tapped on his shoulder.
Bob: Hey You! There is a TRex outside guarding my time machine. Can you help me to get my machine?
Caveman did not talk but nodded his head in agreement. They made a deal, if the caveman can kill the dino, he can take it’s parts to eat and Bob can leave with his time machine.
They both went out with caveman’s weapons and hid behind a tall grass.
Caveman started to throw a spear without even thinking of a plan. He threw his spears again and again until it hit the dino straight in his head and throat. Finally TRex was defeated.
Caveman: (in happiness) heeee yahhhhh…!!
Bob let the caveman to take the dino parts and greeted him goodbye. He happily got into the time machine, whistling. Bob started the machine and came back to the current time. Happy Bob took the time machine with him and used it wisely thereafter.
The End
Sanjith Vijay, a 7 year old is a second grader who loves to write fictional stories. He also loves to play with his friends and toys.
We saw the Netflix film Over the Moon yesterday. It was very interesting culturally and concept wise since we got a sneak peak into a Chinese household, the terminology, the clothes, the food and more. It’s certainly well made, with great songs.
Concept wise it talks about death and moving on. Is it insensitive or hurtful to move on? How does one deal with it? It can be made synonymous with failure I suppose or at least that’s what the kids and I talked about.
Here is the book list that I collected from online about the topic of LOSS. Interesting reads for kids and parents to talk about a sensitive topic. Have you read any of these?
We will have a book on a similar topic coming up by Memory Germs soon. We hope to help kids understand the loss when within the family better.
Wishing those of you who have experience loss of any kind strength. Remember, what is lost is not ever forgotten.
OVER THE MOON
Twelve-year-old Mallie knows better than to dream. In Coal Top, you live the story you’re given: boys toil in the mines and girls work as servants. Mallie can’t bear the idea of that kind of life, but her family is counting on her wages to survive.
It wasn’t always this way. Before the Dust came, the people of Coal Top could weave starlight into cloth. They’d wear these dreaming clothes to sleep and wake up with the courage to seek adventure . . . or the peace to heal a broken heart. But now nothing can penetrate Coal Top’s blanket of sorrow.
So when Mallie is chosen for a dangerous competition in which daring (and ideally, orphaned) children train flying horses, she jumps at the chance. Maybe she’ll change her story. Maybe she’ll even find the magic she needs to dream again.
But the situation proves even more dangerous when Mallie uncovers a sinister mystery at the heart of Coal Top’s struggles — a mystery some powerful people will do anything to protect.
LOST
Lucy and her favorite stuffed animal, Lou, do everything together. While on a family cruise, the wind sweeps her stuffed animal off into the ocean where is lost forever. Join Lucy in a story about grief and loss, as she navigates moving forward while honoring her beloved stuffed animal.
This book helps to guide the start of a conversation about life, death, and the path to moving forward. The story discusses the ebb and flow of grief and the challenge of moving forward without losing the memories of who you lost.
The Invisible String
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“That’s impossible,” said twins Jeremy & Liza after their Mom told them they’re all connected by this thing called an Invisible String. “What kind of string?” They asked with a puzzled look to which Mom replied, “An Invisible String made of love.” That’s where the story begins. A story that teaches of the tie that really binds. Moms (and Pops) feel the tug whenever kids give it; and kids feel the tug that comes right back: the Invisible String reaches from heart to heart. Does everybody have an Invisible String? How far does it reach, anyway? Does it ever go away? Read all about it!
A Terrible Thing Happened
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Sherman Smith saw the most terrible thing happen. At first he tried to forget about it, but soon something inside him started to bother him. He felt nervous for no reason. Sometimes his stomach hurt. He had bad dreams. And he started to feel angry and do mean things, which got him in trouble. Then he met Ms. Maple, who helped him talk about the terrible thing that he had tried to forget. Now Sherman is feeling much better. This gently told and tenderly illustrated story is for children who have witnessed any kind of violent or traumatic episode, including physical abuse, school or gang violence, accidents, homicide, suicide, and natural disasters such as floods or fire. An afterword by Sasha J. Mudlaff written for parents and other caregivers offers extensive suggestions for helping traumatized children, including a list of other sources that focus on specific events.
I Miss You
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When a close friend or family member dies, it can be difficult for children to express their feelings. I Miss You helps boys and girls understand that death is a natural complement to life, and that grief and a sense of loss are normal feelings for them to have following a loved one’s death. Titles in the sensitively presented A First Look At series explore the dynamics of various relationships experienced by children of preschool through early school age. Kids are encouraged to understand personal feelings and social problems as a first step in dealing with them. Written by psychotherapist and counselor Pat Thomas, these books promote positive interaction among children, parents, and teachers. The story lines are simple and direct–easily accessible to younger children.
I’ll Always Love You
“In this gentle, moving story, Elfie, a dachshund, and her special boy progress happily through life together. One morning Elfie does not wake up. The family grieves and buries her. The watercolor illustrations, tender and warm in color and mood, suit the simple text perfectly.” – School Library Journal.
Is Daddy Coming Back in a Minute
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When we were on a No Girls Allowed! holiday, my daddy’s heart stopped beating and I had to find help all by myself. He was very badly broken. Not even the ambulance people could help him… This honest, sensitive and beautifully illustrated picture book is designed to help explain the concept of death to children aged 3+. Written in Alex’s own words, it is based on the real-life conversations that Elke Barber had with her then three-year-old son, Alex, after the sudden death of his father. The book provides reassurance and understanding to readers through clear and honest answers to the difficult questions that can follow the death of a loved one, and carries the invaluable message that it is okay to be sad, but it is okay to be happy, too.
Let’s Talk About When Someone Dies
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From Molly Potter, best-selling author of How Are You Feeling Today? and What’s Worrying You?, comes a picture book for starting conversations with children about death, bereavement and what happens next. When someone dies, we can feel a whole host of different emotions and explaining them to a child isn’t so easy. This book uses clear, easy-to-understand language to answer complex questions about death and how a child might feel when someone dies. It covers all manner of tricky subjects with sensitivity and honesty, from what death is to why people die. Each double page spread takes a child through how they might feel, what they might think and how they might behave. With engaging illustrations, gentle guidance and simple advice for parents and carers, Let’s Talk About When Someone Dies fulfils an important but difficult need for starting conversations with children about death and bereavement, in an accessible and supportive way.
The capacity for children to be creative is continually surprising – they’re always coming up with new ideas and inventions. Yet, encouraging them to translate these to the page is often a challenge, and once the pens come out, kids creativity seemingly dries up. Encouraging kids to write can be a challenge, but it’s incredibly important for their development and can set them up well for later life. We’ll explore why creative writing is so valuable for kids and how you can spark their inspiration.
The Value Of Writing
Writing Is A Practical Skill
When kids grow up, it’s likely that they’ll be required to write, at least a little, every day. “Without a strong command of writing even mundane daily tasks can become insurmountable challenges for kids later in life,” says Kirsten Hicks, educator at BOOM ESSAYS and State Of Writing. “Whether it’s filling out forms at the DMV or participating in email correspondence, writing is a big part of life.”
Writing Promotes Education
If your kids are struggling when it comes to creative writing, this can have a knock-on effect in other areas. Many exams require a written element and if kids are lacking in writing skills, then they’ll struggle to demonstrate their potential. Further down the line, your kids are going to need to write college application letters and personal statements. Preparing them early will help them get ahead when these challenges are looming.
Writing In Employment
Whatever career path your pupils take, it’s likely that writing will be a relevant part of it. The process of applying for a job and being brought on board by an HR team often involves writing on multiple levels, from resumes to applications to internal forms. There are so many roles these days that have an administrative element that writing becomes inescapable in the professional world.
Writing Promotes Communication
Taking time to write down your thoughts, feelings and emotions can help kids going through difficult transitions understand what they’re feeling and communicate better with the world around them. Often, the simple act of writing crystalizes something that was abstract before. This helps young people regulate their emotions and interact with the wider world.
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Ways To Inspire
Writing is such a valuable skill for kids to develop, as we’ve seen above. Inspiring them to write can be a tough job, however. We’ll look at a few tips, tricks and games that can get them working on the page.
Create The Space
Creating a specific writing space in your classroom is a great way of indicating to kids that it’s time for some creative writing. This initiates a mental shift that helps them focus on the task at hand. This can be as simple as a single table set aside, covered in writing materials. Colored pens, various notebooks and other books for inspiration will get your pupils scribbling.
Showing Off
Kids love to see their hard work celebrated, so finding somewhere to showcase their writing will naturally encourage them to invest in it. A bulletin board on the wall can provide a space to pin kids’ work, sending the message that writing is of value.
Sharing Their Work
“If you have a digital blackboard installed in your classroom you’ll be able to bring your pupils’ work to the big screen,” says Clinton Martinez, writer at Write My Paper and EssayRoo. “Kids love to see their work shared in this way – it can help them inspire each other and even trigger collaborative efforts amongst the class.”
Writing Games
There are loads of writing games that challenge kids to combine their imagination and writing skills to produce a body of work. Kids can work together to write a story following a series of prompts. These can be incredibly simple, building a story by going back and forth between “fortunately…” and “unfortunately…” or more complex, introducing characters and prompting kids to produce dialogue with “he said…” and “she said…”
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Wrapping Up
Writing is an essential skill for kids to learn, and as they keep practicing and encountering new challenges they’ll get better at it. Starting this process with younger kids instils the value of writing and demystifies it, enabling them to take part in more writing projects later in life. Teaching kids writing can be tough at first but with a few tweaks to your classroom you’ll have them inspired in no time.
Katherine Rundell is an educational writer at Essay Services and Academic Writing Services services. She has been teaching elementary age children in some capacity for over a decade and loves the constant surprises that kids’ creative minds throw up. She is also a proof-reader at Paper Fellows.
Diwali is almost knocking at the door. Navratri and Durga Puja are festivities that transcend the barriers of religion. It’s an expression of happiness, creativity, spirituality, and above all empowerment. But wait, did you want me to say empowerment of women/girls only? After all, that’s the stereotypical idea that has been associated with these festivals for aeons.
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If we consider ourselves to be progressive, moved by information disseminated through the ever-evolving news mediums, we know by now empowerment is not the territory only for women or girls. Men and our little boys need empowering just as much.
Navratri, after all is the celebration of not only the triumph of female power but essentially of good over evil. During the days of Navratri, we celebrate the ‘gunas’ (the virtues); Rajas,Tamas, and Sattva that are prevalent in every human being. Our body is, essentially, a healthy amalgamation of all these gunas in the perfect balance.
Rajas Guna is the energy and passion that drives our life towards activity, the desire to achieve, be ambitious, and to strive ahead, the excess of which could subsequently bolster greed, selfishness, and self-pride. Tamas Guna on the other hand, symbolizes passivity and ignorance, too much of which almost leads to delusion and lethargy. And lastly, Sattva Guna is about being content, happy, being prudent, and poised. Our lives revolve around striking the right balance of all these virtues. Now tell me, are these attributes specific to any gender? Our little girls and boys – everyone needs to imbibe in themselves these traits and the onus is on us to teach them these, for building a well-rounded and grounded personality.
I ask, what does Durga mean to you?
For me, Durga is the embodiment of fearlessness, righteousness, decisiveness. When I was a little girl standing in a puja pandal looking at the Durga ‘Pratima’ (idol), awestruck by the fierce determination in her eyes, I had one question for my mother every year. What do I need to learn from her? Her words still ring in my ears, “You should learn to be passionate about your dreams, be resolute about what you think is right and stand up for that. If your ambitions call for delving into uncharted territories do not hesitate and come to the foreground and spring into action if a situation warrants so.”
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Is that not what Devi Durga did? Emerging from the role of a consort of the Shakta (the god), the Shakti (the goddess) becomes the all-pervasive power on sensing danger. I don’t know if you did, but I was a child who was ever amazed at how a few idols had a benign expression and a few were rearing with rage. Mom to my rescue here too! She explained the Soumya roop (kind and happy posture) and Rudhra roop {anger posture} co-exists in the same person and it’s the healthy balance of the two that shapes a person.
These values and principles lay the foundation for the making of a resilient, independent, passionate, and conscientious identity. The need of the hour has always been to assimilate the morality and life lessons that the festivals of Navratri and Durga Puja teach us, and that’s irrespective of gender! All would agree, that these are the life fundamentals and we strive to inculcate these in our children.
Then, how is Durga only about women empowerment? Every little boy and girl out there should be empowered to steer through their battles being gutsy and graceful, be dynamic and spirited in leading their lives, imbibe the virtue of patience, empathy, and forgiveness. Just like our very own ‘Maa Durga.’
So every girl and boy, shout out loud, ‘I am a kind soul and a brave heart, I am Durga.’
Hey all, I am Ananya. After graduating from the University of Iowa with a Master’s in Strategic Communication in 2018 I took to freelancing. Currently, I freelance as a SEO Writer. Writing blogs on travel, lifestyle, wellness, and food is my jam though I would love to write a campaign critique on any given day! I write blogs, articles, and sales web copies for websites. And when I am not fretting over a delivery deadline or running errands, I am probably trying to keep up with my ‘always-so-energetic’ 5-year-old girl or indulging in a bit of self-love on the elliptical at Planet Fitness or arranging furniture around the house for my Instagram home decor page YellowPoppyLife. I also hold a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature and a MBA in Marketing, from India.
Many children, aged three and younger, experience separation anxiety. The term refers to a state of fear and nervousness. This occurs when a child is separated from their caregivers or parents. This is common and usually goes away. According to a study, if separation anxiety impacts children above 6 for over four weeks, they might have developed an anxiety disorder. This is a severe form of separation anxiety. It is estimated by a WebMD research that at least 4% to 10% of children experience a separation anxiety disorder. This statistical analysis includes boys and girls.
Read on to learn more about separation anxiety in children and how positive parenting can help children with their stress.
What is Separation Anxiety?
A lot of early anxiety in children aged three and less is normal! As children grow up and learn to steer the world and people, they need to be assured that everything is safe. This is why they cling to their caregivers and cry. It is their way of expressing their fear and telling them that they want to be comforted. Considering how young they are, it makes absolute sense. They do not know how to protect themselves. Naturally, they look up to their parents or caregivers for comfort and protection. They need their caregivers to respond to their call of distress and tell them that everything is fine.
What are the Symptoms of Separation Anxiety in Children?
The first symptom of separation anxiety disorder, also known as SAD, is a refusal to sleep alone. In older children in grades 2 or 3, they might have repeated nightmares about being separated from their families. When children with separation and anxiety disorder see their parents or caregivers leaving home to run errands, they throw tantrums.
Public tantrums and crying are also common signs of separation anxiety. Their fear includes the possibility that their caregiver might leave them even when they are at home. Children who are going through this phase also worry that their caregiver or parents might not return home. They excessively worry about getting lost and refuse to go to school.
Children with separation anxiety often complain about stomach and headaches. They are fearful of being left alone, which causes muscle tension and physical aches. However, there is no need to panic. Most of the children get through this phase just fine. The anxiety can peak at different times and subsidize at others, causing parents and caregivers to stay at home.
Parents can be obliged to remain in the room if their children are crying. The best way to handle such a situation is with the use of encouragement and balanced validation. As a parent, you will want to teach your children that it is okay and capable of handling the separation. You might want to tell them that you are there for them and that they are strong and courageous enough to take a brief separation.
How Positive Parenting Can Help Reduce Separation Anxiety
You can start to practice separation by leaving your child with a caregiver or babysitter for shorter periods. Doing so will help your child cope with a brief break by getting used to them. As you continue the brief separation practice, make sure to keep encouraging your child by gradually increasing the separation periods’ intervals.
In the case of toddlers and babies, ensure to schedule the separation periods after having fed them and after they have had their naps. This is because babies and toddlers are prone to experience separation anxiety when they are sleepy or hungry.
The Importance of a Goodbye Ritual:
This step applies to children of three years or older. Rituals are a sure way to generate reassurance. Goodbye rituals do not necessarily have to be complicated. A simple wave through the window can also work. The trick is to keep things short and to-the-point so that you can leave without making it a big deal. Going without stalling or turning it into a big deal is more uncomplicated. Your child will know that you will return and that everything is fine.
A successful goodbye ritual includes a promise that you can make to your child that you will return at a particular time. This will also boost your child’s confidence that they are brave enough to handle a short separation from you. Nonetheless, it is crucial to follow through with your promise and return at the promised time.
Keep Surroundings Familiar:
If you are hiring a babysitter to watch after your child during the separation period, make sure to keep the surroundings familiar. This will keep your child at ease. You can do so by asking the babysitter to come to your house and look after the child. When your child has to move to new surroundings, you can encourage them to take their favorite toy or a familiar object with them.
As a society we’re faced with a great many challenges. One of the aspects of our humanity that helps us to navigate challenges is a solid sense of morality. Wherever our morality is derived — whether from a personal set of ethics, social expectations, or religious doctrine — it tends to help guide our actions in ways we consider to be positive.
One of our responsibilities as parents, guardians, and mentors is to instil in the next generation a strong sense of values. That said, while subjects such as telling the truth may seem basic, knowing how to effectively teach morality to children is not always simple. The practicalities of morality in the real world can be laden with grey areas and subtle applications.
So, what’s the best approach to take when imparting ethical ideas to your children? What tools and devices can help strengthen this aspect of their character? How do we tackle the sometimes quite complex nature of morality?
Use Supportive Resources
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Chances are, your first foray into teaching children about morality is simply telling them an act is right or wrong. However, they’re likely to follow this up with questions that might well be difficult to answer. Indeed, children may well find elements of these lessons difficult to grasp and retain, if they are just being lectured — this is difficult enough for us as adults! It’s certainly in your best interests to use resources that support the information you’re trying to impart.
Books will always be one of the most versatile and accessible tools at your disposal here. Certainly, there are books written around specific moral subject matter, and others present situations that raise questions of ethics. The key in either case is to seek out entertaining and informative stories. For younger children, pop-up books can be particularly effective because these books use images in a novel way that encourages engagement and interactions. The Color Monster is an excellent example of a pop-up book that uses interactive imagery to reinforce how our emotions affect us and our actions.
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Alongside books, it’s also okay to use movies and TV shows as supportive resources. Build a book collection that allows you to respond to teachable moments. The point in either case is not to seek to have the resource do all the heavy lifting. Use them as conversation openers and examples. Ask your child how they thought a character should have acted and why, share with them your own takes about why an action was right, wrong, or in a grey area.
Incorporating Play
As any professional teacher will tell you, trying to keep kids’ attention on a subject by simply talking at them for any significant period of time is a recipe for disaster! They get bored easily, and are more likely to tune out from the great moral lesson you’re earnestly attempting to pass on. But this boredom can also serve a vital purpose. It gives them license to explore ideas, engage with more physical and creative activities, and grow as people. When the talking has begun to grow old, you can harness their boredom by incorporating activities that help solidify the lesson.
Role playing can be really useful here. Kids are often keen to act out their fantasies, and you could introduce scenarios that offer moral dilemmas or insights into behavior. Don’t make it dull or forced, but give your child a chance to see how situations can arise, and how to approach them.
For kids aged around 6 and over, table top role-playing games such as Dungeons and Dragons or No Thank You, Evil! provide a fun way to confront your children with difficult ethical situations, and talk through how and why their character is making certain decisions. Perhaps more importantly, they provide a safe forum to demonstrate what the consequences of immoral actions can be.
Sports have also long been an excellent medium of teaching children morality. We often use the term “good sportsmanship” when talking about conduct, but what we really mean is a moral and fair approach to our play. Sports provide us with a set of rules to observe, and you can use these to demonstrate how — just like in real life — they are not in place to restrict our enjoyment, but to ensure everybody gets an equal chance to thrive.
Lead by Example
Incorporating play and utilizing books are good routes into teaching children about morality. However, these pale in comparison with your influence as their parent. Children are always watching you, taking mental notes from your example on how to behave, and using it to inform their worldview. You can’t take a “do as I say, not as I do” approach to morality with kids; you have to walk the walk.
Obviously, this starts with paying close attention to the choices you make in their presence, and how your choices might be perceived by them or contradict your previous lessons. If you intend to hold them to a high moral standard, you must exhibit this yourself.
However, this doesn’t mean to say that you need to always act in a morally “perfect” manner. You’re human, after all! Involve your children in your ethical dilemmas, talk to them about events that have happened during the day, how you acted, and how you could have made better choices.
You can’t underestimate how important it is for your children to see you as an ethically flawed person. This shows that while it’s important to set high standards for ourselves, it’s also okay to fail as long as we learn from it. Invite them to let you know, when they think you’ve acted in a way that is contradictory to your lessons, and start a discussion.
This approach to morality encourages an open dialogue between you and your kids. They will have difficult moral issues themselves in the years to come, and they’ll feel more able to ask for help or guidance.
Conclusion
Our kids are taking their first steps into a world that is filled with moral dilemmas. It’s important to approach this difficult area in a way that both demonstrates practical application, and asserts that mistakes will be made. By teaching children about morality with a variety of tools, you can not only impart advice but also forge a stronger bond.
Jori Hamilton is an experienced writer living in the Northwestern U.S. She covers a wide range of subjects but takes a particular interest in covering topics related to child development, parenting, and health and wellness. To learn more about Jori, you can follow her on Twitter.
Sanjith Vijay, a 7 year old is a second grader who loves to write fictional stories. He also loves to play with his friends and toys.
Twelve-year-old Mallie knows better than to dream. In Coal Top, you live the story you’re given: boys toil in the mines and girls work as servants. Mallie can’t bear the idea of that kind of life, but her family is counting on her wages to survive.
Hey all, I am Ananya. After graduating from the University of Iowa with a Master’s in Strategic Communication in 2018 I took to freelancing. Currently, I freelance as a SEO Writer. Writing blogs on travel, lifestyle, wellness, and food is my jam though I would love to write a campaign critique on any given day! I write blogs, articles, and sales web copies for websites. And when I am not fretting over a delivery deadline or running errands, I am probably trying to keep up with my ‘always-so-energetic’ 5-year-old girl or indulging in a bit of self-love on the elliptical at Planet Fitness or arranging furniture around the house for my Instagram home decor page YellowPoppyLife. I also hold a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature and a MBA in Marketing, from India.
Jori Hamilton is an experienced writer living in the Northwestern U.S. She covers a wide range of subjects but takes a particular interest in covering topics related to child development, parenting, and health and wellness. To learn more about Jori, you can follow her on Twitter.