Education is one of the most complex and important social issues that society faces. There are millions of children around the world today with totally different backgrounds, unique gifts and diverse aptitudes. Fortunately, the rise of specialized and online programs has opened up a world of possibility when it comes to a tailored education. There are plenty of reasons to consider enrolling a child in an online special education program that fits their needs.
Flexible Scheduling
One of the chief benefits of online programs is flexibility. Many parents and their children simply can’t accommodate standard school times due to conflicts with other responsibilities. Accessing learning material online puts more control over pacing and scheduling into the hands of the student and their family. It can also allow for travel to show your children the world.
Community Participation
Another reason to consider an online special education program is to get your child involved in a community. Depending on the special education needs and considerations, it can be difficult to find suitable peers or companions for young people. The internet opens up the opportunity to connect with other people with similar life experiences.
Tailored Programs
Every child benefits from a tailored education, but those with special educational needs are even more dependent on personal care in their academic pursuits. In many cases, personalized programs can pave the way for students to stay on track and even outperform expectations. Attention to students and adjustment to keep pace with their maturing process is the key to good education.
Break Out of the Bubble
Another reason parents enroll their kids in online educational programs is to expose them to new things. Many people grow up with limited access to different kinds of people, places, and ideas. Joining a new group with fresh ideas forces people to get out of their comfort zone and grow.
Find New Solutions
Sometimes all it takes to make a breakthrough is a little fresh air. Joining an online special education program can create openings for both the kids and their parents to find new solutions and bond. This can be social development, branching into new interests, or simply becoming more self-sufficient in certain tasks. Exchanging experiences, ideas, and information with other people within a community is a valuable benefit.
When it comes to raising and educating children, it’s hard to ever be satisfied with the status quo. Parents always want the best for their kids, which is only natural. The rise of online education means that there are a lot more options out there now and they are much more accessible than ever before.
This holiday season, give yourself the gift of a dream come true. Go from idea to finally writing that first draft of your very first picture book.
1.Always wanted to write a children’s book but don’t have the commitment?
2.Not sure about which of your ideas is marketable?
3.Wondering what do you do after you write your book?
Half the struggle in life is finding the right person, who will not make you THINK about the right question to ask…
I can’t help solve all your problems, but can help you write the story you always imagined.
If you have been following my journey or know me personally, you know I do have time for BS. That is why this is not a WHOLE spiel. In short, this is what this one of a kind workshop has to offer.
What is covered in workshop
Please read below carefully…
Always wanted to write a book but do NOT have the commitment or the energy to go through the pools of information available on the internet?? Then this is YOUR opportunity to go from dreaming of being a writer to taking that first big step to invest your time, energy and resources towards your dream.
We will use this workshop to understand how to write a children’s book, how many kinds there are, writing to age, how to pick a marketable idea and a quick overview of what happens after you finish your first draft.
Day One – Ideation, Types of children’s books, Character development, Researching and picking an idea to work on for the workshop Day Two – Discussing the idea, characters, defining age group and the story arc
Day Three – Reading and getting feedback on the first draft
Day Four – What happens after you write your first children’s book
I recommend keeping aside one and half hour per day to work on your book for these four days.
The advantages of this one of a kind workshop is, you will get feedback live from peers and I will include one round of critique on the story you have drafted.
Note – Everyone who signs up will get recordings of the video. Every session includes worksheets and group discussion AND if you happen to miss it, you can send me a list of questions and I will answer them all.
Oct 10th – 13th 10 am EST – $145 Nov 14th – 17th 8 pm EST – $145
Please fill out the form for which slot you are looking to book and I will send you the invoice to pay. Since this is going to have personalized feedback on each story, seats per workshop are limited.
I always wanted to be a writer. Difference between most and me is that I followed through by investing in my dream. I have studied writing, publishing and marketing and have seen the market grow, change and evolve over the past 10 years. You name the topic and I have done a course or read a book and if I have not, I will know where to find the right resource for the same.
I went from blogger on Orkut to blogger to freelance writer to founding this collaborative platform to publishing seventeen books (including others) and editing sixty four. My work so far, has won 7 awards and been featured on various network platforms like NBC, CBS, Thrive Global, Huffington Post and more. Few of the books I have worked on that are live now below.
It is hard to believe in your own beauty. Daily, many of us, even as adults struggle with accepting who we are, talents, uniqueness, flaws and all! This beautiful story, with vivid illustrations and unicorns helps children see that fitting in, is not always about being the same. You belong because of who you are!
You talent and the way you treat others is what makes you unique.
Written for ages five through eight, this delightful picture book is a wonderful addition to libraries that are looking for ways in which to build children’s confidence. It would also make a great read aloud for children younger.
After all, which child does not love unicorns!
The beauty of this book is not just the journey of Melody but the way in which the author takes a complex concept and makes it so palatable for children. A must read for children who may be wondering why they are different or wondering what makes them special.
FIVE STARS from ADITI WARDHAN SINGH (RaisignWorldChildren.com)
Melody wants to fit in with her rainbow-colored friends. When her attempts to add color to her plain mane fail, Melody’s friends reveal a secret: They love something about her that has nothing to do with how she looks.
Melody the Unicorn and the Beauty Within is a heartwarming story of friendship, self-love, accepting diversity and embracing our uniqueness. Filled with beautiful illustrations, this light-hearted picture book will inspire young readers to be proud of who they are, gain confidence and find their inner beauty.
A book about inclusion and acceptance that encourages everyone to welcome our unique differences, it’s the perfect back-to-school, birthday, or Christmas gift for girls and boys ages 5 to 9, or for anyone who loves magic, rainbows and unicorns. As an early reader, Melody the Unicorn is perfect for reading aloud with little sisters and brothers!
Give your kindergartener, first grader or second grader a gift that boosts confidence and shows diversity and uniqueness as positive qualities.
As a parent or caregiver of a child, you never want to see your little ones hurting. It’s hard to see kids experience struggles. You might want to protect them from every hardship life has to offer. However, not only is it impossible, but it could also hinder them more than help them.
There are common childhood medical issues, like losing teeth or getting chicken pox, and then there are more complex emotional traumas, like dealing with the grief that comes with the loss of a family pet or having a first fight with a close friend. All of these adverse experiences can be turned into learning opportunities.
These events are undoubtedly difficult in the moment. However, teaching your kids to turn these negative moments into learning opportunities will make them more resilient as they get older. They’ll be able to “bounce back” faster from the hardships in their lives, and they have the opportunity to become more capable individuals.
There are several ways you can help your child navigate through these moments. Teach yourself now how to teach them to overcome adversity with love, grace, strength, self-empathy, and awareness.
Overcoming Negative Medical Experiences
Kids can end up seeing a doctor or even visiting an emergency room for a variety of reasons. From dental issues to broken bones, it’s not uncommon for kids to have medical issues that require professional care.
However, it’s easy for kids to be afraid when it comes to medical care. If that isn’t dealt with early on, it could eventually lead to medical anxiety. Some of the symptoms of medical anxiety include:
Racing heart;
Sweating;
Dizziness;
Thinking something bad will happen;
Wanting to skip doctor’s appointments.
Maybe your child has had a negative experience with medical care in the past. They might even fear the unknown or conditions they don’t fully understand, like head lice. After all, no child or parent wants to think about little bugs crawling around in their hair. As a parent, learning about lice can be equally as grotesque and anxiety-inducing. However, you should model positive behaviors to get your child through a tough time like this.
In general, you can harness the stress of procedures and check-ups into ways to help them calm down, understand themselves, and better their health. Teach your children about valuing their bodies and their well-being. Give them coping methods to deal with feeling scared before a doctor visit. You’ll also teach them a lot about self-advocacy and how to vouch for their feelings with doctors and other medical professionals as they grow up.
Fighting With Friends
Almost every child comes home from school at some point, upset that they got into an argument with a close friend. As an adult, you can understand the fickleness of young relationships. As a child, however, a fight with a friend can feel like the “end of the world.” It can make your child feel alone, isolated, and misunderstood.
Although it might be painful for them, you can turn this negative situation into a learning experience by offering support and acknowledging the validity of their feelings. Set a positive example by staying calm and using productive words when you choose to work through a disagreement. Your child will be likely to do the same when approaching others in the future, which can keep arguments from escalating.
Let them tell you about the fight, and make sure they know you’re listening and understanding. While it might be tempting to step in and try to fix things, resist that urge unless it’s absolutely necessary. By setting a positive example, validating their feelings, and offering supportive advice, you’ll teach your child how to work through arguments with friends in healthy, effective ways.
Dealing With Loss
Dealing with loss is difficult for everyone. Grief impacts people differently, so it’s important to make sure your kids understand loss and how to work through the grieving process.
Whether the child is dealing with the loss of a pet, the death of a loved one, or even watching their parents go through a divorce, kids need to know how to fully understand their grieving.
Far too many adults use unhealthy coping mechanisms to get through a loss. Teaching your kids healthy ways to cope will help them build resilience through adulthood. There are several strategies you can use to help your child cope with grief, including:
Keeping consistent routines to make them comfortable;
Offering them love and attention;
Letting go of your own expectations;
Modeling healthy emotions;
Finding positive grief outlets, including play;
Relieving them of guilt.
You can even turn to outside resources if your child is struggling to accept a certain loss. Child counselors, therapists, or support group leaders can help you and your child work on different coping strategies and stress-reduction techniques, including how to teach kids mindfulness and meditation.
As much as you might want to at times, you can’t keep your children in a bubble. It’s important to protect them and do what you can to keep them safe while still allowing them to experience what the world has to offer – including adverse moments.
Keep these ideas in mind to teach your kids how to turn those adverse moments into something better. The more you focus on these learning opportunities now, the easier it will be for your children to be stronger, empathetic, and self-aware as adults.
There are countless benefits to learning another language, from enhanced critical thinking to a better understanding of the world. For many, however, learning a language is difficult, if not near impossible—or so one might think.
Often, a major hurdle to mastering a language is the learning process. With many people, struggles with learning a second language occur not from a lack of intelligence, but rather from improper study habits.
Learning a language is more than just hours of study and grammar lessons. Some of the best ways to learn involve fun and everyday actions that are perfect for integrating your new language into your daily life.
One of the most straightforward methods of learning a language is to talk to native speakers. If you’re not in an area with many native speakers, consider finding a new friend from your target region.
Pen pals have long been a great way to connect with others, and learn new languages. In fact, with the hyperconnectivity of today’s world, finding someone to talk to has never been easier.
Whether you use the traditional method of pen, paper, and envelope, or correspond via the internet, pen pals create a system of mutual betterment. From language learning to cultural enrichment, sharing stories with someone across the world makes us all better.
When you first start out, you may lack many language skills. Don’t let that stop you, though. There are plenty of guides, templates, and translators to help you and your new friend connect. This printable provides common introductory questions in English, French, and Spanish.
Get started today, and find your newest friend.
Watch Foreign Shows and Movies With Subtitles
Hearing the spoken word of your target language is one of the best ways to immerse oneself in language learning. However, if traveling is out of the question, keep the learning fun and watch some movies.
Specifically, watch films and shows in your target language. Try to watch them without subtitles the first time, and see how many words and phrases you understand. Take notes and try to translate what you can. On the next watch, pop on the subtitles and compare your notes. Pay attention to any areas that you especially struggled to understand.
Foreign films are a great way to experience a foreign culture. With subtitles, you have a handy translation guide to help with those tricky words and phrases.
Read in the Target Language
Like hearing the spoken word, seeing the written word helps reaffirm your target language within your mind. Reading books in your new language is a perfect way to understand the ins and outs of the written language.
If needed, start small. Check out short children’s stories if you’re new to the language. They often feature simpler sentences and easy-to-understand words.
As you progress, strive for more challenging works. Look at top literature lists in the target language, or ask your pen pal what books they would recommend.
Keep a Daily Journal in the Target Language
Like reading, writing in a foreign language is essential to complete linguistic understanding. However, that doesn’t mean copying lines and repeating writing exercises. Grab a journal, find a comfortable spot, and start writing.
Write whatever comes to mind. Don’t worry about mistakes in the beginning. Just strive to write a certain number of words or lines a day. Start with short updates about the weather or your day. As your skills progress, increase the verbosity of your entries.
With this method, you have clear proof of your progression through your foreign language studies.
Play Language-Learning Games
Games are vital parts of any culture. From family card games to famous board games, they provide a fun and involved way to learn a language.
For beginners, language-learning games like Kloo provide targeted skills in a fun package. No one needs any skill in the available languages in order to play, though, by the end, the skills of all players will grow.
Additionally, consider the classic game of Scrabble. Simply search for the tile scores in your target language, and start spelling. The rules remain the same, but you can hone your spelling and language skills at the same time.
Final Thoughts
With the right activities, language learning is fun and engaging, not to mention immensely beneficial for brain health, social exploration, and simply leading a rich and full life. With these five approaches, the learning process is easier and more approachable.
Incorporate these activities into your daily routine. You don’t have to do each activity every day, but be sure to engage with language learning whenever you can. Keep a journal nearby to jot down some ideas in your second language. Catch a foreign film every week with your friends. Try a new novel from your favorite foreign author every month.
However you learn, make it fit your lifestyle. Ultimately, absorbing a new language is easier when done through entertaining and comforting means.
It sometimes feels as though the world is running low on empathy. Global conflict, refugee crises, and a rise in race-related hate crimes can make it seem as though everyone has given up on coming together.
However, just because adults today find it hard to get along, that doesn’t mean future generations won’t benefit from empathetic decision-making skills. Young leaders like Greta Thunberg and Malala Yousafzai show that empathy is alive and well within young folks today and can be used to lead us towards a better future.
If you’re inspired by young leaders like Greta Thunberg, you can start to work on empathetic decision-making skills with your own children. Even small steps like teaching them the value of sharing can help your child become a leader of the future that you are proud of.
What is Empathy?
You have probably heard leaders and activists talk about empathy in the past few years. But what, exactly, is empathy?
Empathy is the ability to feel another person’s emotions, thoughts, or feelings. Being empathetic is an important life skill, as it can help avoid conflict and improve collaboration.
Researchers today split empathy up into “affective empathy” and “cognitive empathy”. Cognitive empathy occurs when you imagine yourself in someone else’s shoes. As the name suggests, it requires you to think and consider what another person is going through. Affective empathy is more immediate and usually occurs as soon as we see someone experiencing an emotion like pain or distress.
Empathy is an important part of all egalitarian societies and is necessary to ensure that everyone can live their lives with dignity and respect. Empathy can be used to push social change and galvanize support for issues revolving around human rights and well-being.
Being empathetic also makes everyone’s day-to-day life better. Small acts of kindness and love can go a long way when people are down or face a major challenge in their life. If your child learns to make empathetic decisions, they’re more likely to support their peer groups and community in later life.
Decision-Making as a Skill
We all make thousands of decisions every day. But when was the last time you stopped and asked yourself “why am I choosing ‘x’ over ‘y’”?
Most decisions that we make are straightforward and don’t require any additional training or attention. However, teaching your child how to make intentional decisions based on thoughts, emotions, and assessment of the situation will set them up for success in life.
There are plenty of different decision-making models to choose from. Start simple in a low-stakes environment. For example, if you donate some portion of your paycheck to charities, consider involving your child in the decision-making process.
Make sure you slow down and work through the seven steps of the decision-making process together. Introduce them to the decision you want to make and work together to gather the information you need. Once you’ve gathered all the background information you can find, research alternatives and weigh them up by considering the impact your decision will make. Once you’ve taken action, review the consequences together and try to assess what went well.
Of course, this will look different depending on the age of your child. Choose an age-appropriate decision together and take your time researching and debating the choice.
You should pay particular attention to the role of empathy within your research and when considering alternatives. If you’re ever stuck during the process, try to prompt your child to think more empathetically and imagine themselves from the position of another person who may be affected by the decision.
Gaining Experience
You should start to develop empathetic decision-making skills in a low-stakes environment. However, when your child starts to mature, it’s worth going out into the real world and trying to make a difference in your local community.
There are plenty of community-based activities that you and your child can partake in together. Some of the best volunteering opportunities like creating green spaces in abandoned spaces will improve the safety of your neighborhood. Your child can also gain experience by volunteering together at shelters and soup kitchens that promote empathy and help uplift your community.
Taking action is an important part of empathetic decision-making. However, taking the right action also takes experience. You can help your child gain experience as an empathetic thinker by encouraging them to read more often. Reading forces us to think from the perspective of someone else and can significantly improve decision-making in young leaders.
Conclusion
Empathetic decision-making is integral to the success of future generations. You can help your child learn to empathize with others by getting involved in local community projects and practicing decision-making together. Try to start in a low-stakes setting so they have a chance to gain experience without any major consequences. As they mature, work towards issues you both care about.
When you have children, whether it’s one or many, you are responsible for quite a few things. You are obligated to protect them, shelter them, clothe them, feed them, and keep them healthy. Over time, you’ll also be responsible for how they grow as a person. Knowing ways to boost your child’s self-confidence in their early years will pay dividends when they’re teens and adults later.
Help Them Learn Before You Let Them Learn
When your child is trying something new, show them how to do it once. Then, help them with it. After that, you can let them try and do it on their own. That can be hard, because you know they’re going to struggle. In many cases, they might even fail quite a bit. As badly as you want to step in, remember that when you were a kid, you wanted to prove yourself, too. Even if they don’t learn how to do what they’re trying, they’ll always learn from dealing with adversity.
Summer Camp
Summer camp is a great way for kids to learn how to operate independently of their parents and families. Depending on the activities they do, they might also develop confidence in trying new things they’ve never done before. If you’re not sure what summer camps might specifically help them grow in this area, then go to websites describing options in your area that you can choose from.
Praise Them, But Do It Right
Parental praise can go a long way in building confidence in children, but you need to build the confidence right. Praising attributes, such as talent, or concrete results, such as A+ grades, can artificially inflate them or put their confidence in the wrong direction. To establish the right foundation for their confidence, focus on praising the work and effort they put into things.
Be a Great Role Model
Your children will learn more from your example than everything you decide to deliberately teach them. Carry yourself with confidence in your own life, and they’ll mimic that until they figure out how to do it on their own. You’ll both benefit.
You’ll always remember the first time your child stood up on their own and started walking. The first few times they use their self-confidence to stand up for themselves are more subtle, and you might not recognize those moments. Prepare them for it anyway by boosting their self-confidence in any manner possible.
Little Mynah had a lot to explore about the world but she feels that the world doesn’t notice her coz she is not special like the other “fancier” birds. Will she be able to find her confidence?
With a daughter who is on the smaller size, this book was read and re-read multiple times in our home. The illustrations are gorgeous and the story is empowering. As if that is not enough, this story also is multilingual and a wonderful addition to multicultural libraries looking to show kids the beauty of world languages.
My kids are 8 and 11, who enjoy reading. They give this book a huge thumbs up!
I specially liked the fact that I could also bring home the importance of different species of birds, and the impact the current environmental changes have had on birds recently. I think it is wonderful to have stories that highlight crucial issues in a light and vibrant way.
BOOK DESCRIPTON
Little Mynah wishes she was not so ordinary. But when her friend, the magnificent Heron, gets into trouble she flies into action and discovers that even ordinary little birds can do extraordinary things. This is the first multilingual picture book in a series to be published by Epigram Books that introduces preschoolers and early primary kids to the diverse languages and cultures of Singapore. Underlying this first adventure with Little Mynah is the importance of environmental conservation.
The book includes a link (via QR code) to an audio recording of everyday words and phrases used in the story in English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil. A useful glossary is provided at the back of the book for easy reference. The QR code also links readers to free games and activities so the fun and learning keeps going.
When you think of meditation, perhaps the first image that comes to mind is of aging yogis in saffron robes seated peacefully in the lotus position. Or perhaps you imagine some fresh-faced young woman with her high ponytail and leotard, palms together, legs crossed, and a gentle smile on her face.
Chances are, though, that when you conjure a mental picture of someone practicing meditation, you’re not going to envision a chubby-legged preschooler sitting sedately, criss-cross applesauce, on a cartoon-themed exercise mat.
The truth, however, is that meditation provides immense mental, emotional, and spiritual benefits for every human, regardless of age. This article examines the benefits of meditation for children and how you can effectively incorporate it into your child’s life.
An Ancient Practice Given New Life
Historians speculate that the practice of meditation may be nearly as old as human civilization itself, potentially dating back as far as 5,000 BCE. Originally, it was the exclusive provenance of ancient Eastern Asian religions, particularly Buddhism and Hinduism.
Though meditation remains a cornerstone of spiritual practice for millions, by the 20th century, meditation had become largely severed from its faith-based origins. In Western societies, in particular, meditation came to be incorporated into secular practice as an important tool for supporting physical and mental health.
The Benefits of Meditation for Children
In the modern West, meditation is often conceptualized as a principally secular practice designed to help overscheduled, over-stressed adults manage the chaos of their daily lives.
However, it is not only adults who are under pressure in our fast-paced, high-anxiety world. Children, too, are facing greater social and emotional challenges than perhaps ever before. Not only this, but children today are also at significant risk of endearing adverse events that may negatively impact their brain development, leaving them vulnerable to cognitive impairments and emotional and mental health disorders throughout their lifespans.
These events may range from the severely traumatic, such as abuse and neglect, to the chronically stressful, such as prolonged financial hardship in the household.
Whatever the cause, kids need a way to calm and comfort themselves now more than ever. Meditation can fit the bill brilliantly, equipping kids with techniques to refocus, reassure, and relax themselves in an increasingly tumultuous world.
In most cases, your child’s meditation practice is going to look a lot different from yours. It’s neither feasible nor kind to expect a child under five, for example, to sit quiet and still for minutes at a stretch.
That doesn’t mean, though, that you can’t teach them to meditate until they’re older. You just need to get a bit creative. For instance, tying your meditation practice to your read-aloud time with your little one is the perfect way to reap the rewards of both reading and meditation.
Books like the Yogi Superhero series can help your child learn about basic yoga poses and breathing techniques, which you can then use for guided meditation practice with your child.
Remember, as well, that you don’t have to keep still to meditate. If your child is more comfortable when they’re always on the go, then try intertwining your meditative practice with some simple, repetitive physical action.
Something as simple as stomping your feet while chanting a positive affirmation can become a form of meditation. It can also help your child refocus and release their physical energy and prepare them for less kinetic sessions.
As your child grows older and more practiced in various meditation techniques, you can gradually increase the difficulty level, such as incrementally extending each meditation session or adding an early morning and pre-bedtime session.
This can teach your child to implement meditation-based relaxation techniques at various times of the day and based on their specific needs at any given time, whether they’re preparing to take a test, compete in a ball game, perform at a recital, or simply settle down to sleep at night.
The Takeaway
Meditation isn’t just for yogis and yuppies. Meditation has gifts to give humans from cradle to grave. That means that you don’t have to wait for your child to grow up to introduce them to the enormous power of meditation. Indeed, in our stress-saturated world, children need the calm and comfort that meditation provides every bit as much as adults do.
However, children’s meditation practices may differ greatly from those of adults, especially when the child is very young. It may be integrated with reading aloud activities to better enable the child to understand the practice and use it effectively in guided meditation. It may even involve a significant amount of simple, rhythmic movement and chanting. There’s no one way to meditate, and you simply can’t do it wrong. The key is to try it out and discover the techniques that work best for your child!
According to statistics on children reading for fun by Pew Research, the number of American 9- and 13-year-olds who said they read for fun on an almost daily basis have dropped from nearly a decade ago. Among 9-year-old students, around 42% read for fun almost every day, while only 17% of 13-year-olds said they read for fun almost every day. In fact, these numbers are recorded to be the lowest since the question was first asked in 1984. Notably, the survey was conducted before the COVID-19 outbreak, so it’s unclear whether the pandemic may have changed these patterns.
Reading for fun is a key practice to improve communication skills. Much like public speaking, which we discussed in our post called ‘Public Speaking for Kids: Why is it Important & How to Develop’, reading can similarly build up a child’s vocabulary and help them learn to put thoughts or ideas into words. Through a command of language and empathy, reading can also boost leadership skills in children. Here are three ways you can encourage future leaders to read more:
Connect books to real-life
Books can increase our sense of empathy. Although we tend to think of readers as introverts who prefer to stay at home and ignore the world around them, reading extensively can actually grow your people-skills. A study on developing child empathy published in the Journal of Research in Childhood Education found that reading bullying-themed picture books and doing role-play can increase empathy towards bullying victims. Students in the research project were also able to offer ideas and actions to solve bullying issues.
Reading helps develop strong leaders because it gives us a chance to walk in other people’s shoes and understand their motivations. Studying human nature through poetry or fiction helps you relate to the people you work with, so you can make more thoughtful decisions. To build empathy, choose reading materials that connect with what’s happening to your child in the present. For instance, you can check out relevant books if your child is asking about community issues or is undergoing a specific problem.
Set the right example
Parents who read are more likely to instill the same habits in their children. As noted by insights on leading by example from LHH, leaders (and parents) who can admit they don’t know everything are not only truthful and transparent, but also help build a culture where others are encouraged to learn as well. It’s so important for children to see that adults don’t know everything, but still maintain a learn-it-all approach to life so they demonstrate confidence amid uncertainty. This will align your kids with the right mindset to be a future team-leader who can learn from and delegate responsibility to more knowledgeable colleagues.
Show your children the value of reading by designating an hour during the weekend where everyone at home picks up a book. You can even visit the library as a family to borrow reading materials — just be sure to choose something for yourself. By making books an accessible, fun part of daily life, your children can grow into lifelong learners.
Help children dive deeper
Research on critical thinking and reading exposure by Helena Hollis presents a finding that reading fiction is associated with a higher critical-thinking disposition and decreased absolutism; this means that fiction readers are more likely to ask questions about the world, rather than accepting absolute principles in political, philosophical, ethical, or theological matters. Leaders, after all, should be flexible when it comes to problem-solving. Reading helps not only to acquire information, but also to sharpen analysis and judgment.
Even with incomplete information and limited time, reading allows leaders to sharpen their intuition towards patterns in a problem and piece a solution together. Encourage this critical-thinking process with your kids by asking them to engage deeply in stories. Ask them questions about the characters’ thoughts, actions, or feelings. Beyond looking at surface-level morals on the right behavior, let children apply what they learn from books to daily life.
I simply loved this book. What a great connect to nature it provides.
With the beauty of this earth in the forefront of our minds, the story of this beautiful tree that spans the life of one reader and helps them create a legacy is transcendent! I so love what the author has said without saying, that our legacy is our children and our stories. It is so important for us to reach out with our kindness to those we love and all that provides for us. A timeless and much needed lesson of our times.
Another thing which will strike you is the trip down memory lane, if you are an avid reader. Of how your love for reading grew and got passed on to your children and your community.
My kids and I often take books to the park and sit and read. This brought up so many fun memories.
A very well written book with illustrations reminiscent of my childhood story books. This would make a great read for kids aged 5-9. My kids and I had wonderful conversations that spanned our love for reading to our responsibility to the environment and much more.
BOOK INFO
Reading age : 5-9 yrs
ASIN : B09DVYHK2T
Description : In this illustrated ode to books and reading, literacy and libraries are promoted and celebrated. A little tree and a little boy form a friendship over their love of books. In time, the tree is adorned with every book the little boy reads to the tree. Soon, a whole community of people can enjoy the magnificent tree of spectacular books. But with time, both the tree and the boy grow older. Now the boy is an old man and must say goodbye. What is to become of the grand old tree?
Is it even possible to give multicultural children a sense of belonging? To help them see that the worlds within them provide them a unique identity which belongs as much as a native citizen of a country?
The Girl From No Where. For the longest time I used to feel those were the words that defined me. Being Indian, raised in Kuwait, never Indian enough for India, never Kuwaiti enough for Kuwait, not even belonging to one cultural state within India, I never fit into any neat little box. My sense of belonging was beyond labels. The confidence within my sense of identity developed came from knowing that I would never fit in and that was okay!
It was only after I started writing about the challenged of raising multicultural kids and empathizing with their sentiments as a woman raised as a third culture child, did I understand where we belonged. The beauty of diversity within my family unit owing to being exposes to various cultures growing up was a boon to my children. I realized then that we in fact belonged every where.
What is Belonging though?
Belonging is the feeling of security and support when there is a sense of acceptance, inclusion, and identity for a member of a certain group. It is when an individual can bring their authentic self forward to voice their opinions.
Difference Between Identity and Belonging
Difference Between Identity and Belonging?
An identity is who or what a person or thing is. Your identity defines who you are. It is a self-representation of your interests, relationships, social activity and much more. Our sense of identity and belonging is impacted by various factors, including our experiences, relationships, and our environment. The journey to find identity and belonging can often be a struggle, since we ask ourselves, ‘who am I?’ vs. ‘who do others want me to be?’ and ‘where do I belong? Where do I fit in?’ This point in our lives is completely subjective, meaning that it is our personal view that influences our decisions. The issue of identity and belonging has encompassed humans for many generations, and will remain a key turning point for many to come.
Often I hear people mock their situation saying, “Oh! My kids are confused desis. Half Indian, Half American. In my book Strong Roots Have No Fear, I have explained how and why I do not believe my children to be half Indian or half American. They are whole. 100% Indian and 100% American. The many tools we can provide them to feel the same of which belonging is foundational.
And yet, I am not naive enough to believe that my children will never question their own identity. It is natural to question if we belong where are from or where we are?
But giving them a sense of belonging is a long road to building a strong self identity.Because when children feel a sense of belonging, they develop confidence and self-identity.
Taking Pride in Your Abilities or Culture
My children often tell me about conversations they have with their friends from different cultures. They all take pride in their heritage and often that can lead to questioning one’s own identity or if someone wonders why your community follows certain traditions.This is why it is important to help children understand via our own stories of upbringing, history, books and know the reasons why we nurture the traditions we do.
Children belong to many boxes, their family, a cultural group and their country. It is important for children to develop an understanding of themselves to take the first step in developing a sense of identity. Helping children understand their strengths in any given situation is crucial for confidence building.
Speaking a native language, walking down memory lane of places you have lived, cooking cultural foods, celebrating festivals are other ways to encourage pride within.
Seeing the Beauty in Diversity through Relationship Building
Belonging acknowledges children’s interdependence with others and the basis of relationships in defining identities. A child learns and develops a sense of identity through their relationships and experiences at home, family interactions and their environment. As they play, learn and try new things, they will develop an understanding of their own identity.
Creating an atmosphere of learning helps children feel safe to share ideas. This can be done by building relationships with the world via play dates, community building etc. All children should feel that their world is a safe place where people care about them and their needs, they can develop positive relationships and where they will be able to seek help when needed. When these needs are met, children can develop a sense of belonging.
Respect is the Foundation of Belonging
We all spend a life time wanting to belong. And yet, sometimes we forget that others want the same too. Our unconscious biases sometimes transfers onto children translating to disrespect in their eyes. Often the different paths we all walk for need to be accepted as their truths, with respect. We may question it to understand it but if we question it to try to change their path, that is disrespect that have a ripple effect. For children too, fear being respected for their beliefs.
Encourage Curiosity
I remember once my son asked me, “Which country should we be cheering for?” I responded, “We are blessed to live in two worlds. We have a rich Indian culture that we can learn from and wonderful American history to now call our own. If it is a match between any two countries you can cheer for either one, but if it is a match between the two countries, you simply have to let the best team win.”
“What if they go to war?”
“In that case, I would say what I would say if even your two friends are fighting, stand by who is right. ”
A child’s sense of identity evolves with times. If we do not create a safe space for questions, we lose the chance to help shape our child’s identity.
One’s Sense of Belonging Can Exist Beyond Labels
The world will see us in a certain way, based on existing stereotypes, personal biases and experiences. It is critical that we let our children understand that it is up to us to prove that one’s identity can be different from that which is portrayed in movies or books. Living our lives beyond the confines of traditional cultural norms and educating those around us about our home culture.
We can help our children see how our home culture is different that other home cultures from the same community, for eg. how Diwali is celebrated in different ways in South Asian homes around the world or how some Hindus practice different traditions in their homes.
Below are the Ways in Which One Can Help Multicultural Children Feel that they Belong
There are lots of things we do to create a sense of belonging by being inclusive.
Names – calling children by their names is so important. To be greeted by and understanding the correct pronunciation of their name helps them see themselves respected.
Interests –Activities can be structured around specific preferences and children will be keen to engage more effectively.
Adult interaction – Adults can help to model social skills, which children will observe and grow to understand. Be open about your lack of knowledge or personal experiences.
Sensitivity – Needs and emotions vary hugely between children so it’s useful to be as culturally sensitive as possible with each individual.
Encourage a sense of community – whether it’s within the classroom or around the center as a whole, community is so important. Parents, staff and children are all integral parts of any childcare setting and a sense of community creates an identity that a child can really belong to.
Education – Learning about the world through diverse books, own voice shows or events like International nights help children see the world and know that they too would be accepted.
The beauty of belonging is that where we are from is as much a part of us as the where we are or the places that shape us.
Belonging relies on us forfeiting our individuality. Our identity is influenced by how others view us. Sometimes one’s sense of identity can cause more harm than good. Our belonging is not dependent on whether others accept us, but whether we accept ourselves.
Teaching children US history is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. As a teacher, you have your preferred method of conducting your American history lessons. It’s entirely up to you and your pupils to decide how you want to teach your classes.
You may prefer a well-structured classroom, with pupils adhering to the same routines throughout the year. Alternatively, you might use a variety of activities to keep the kids on their toes by varying the content for each unit.
It’s possible to use either method to great effect! I have developed various teaching methods and tools as I’ve taught US history to multiple students. These five teaching strategies/resources can be used as the foundation of your curriculum, or you can use them to switch things up so each unit has a unique feel.
Packets of Instructions for the Unit
Teachers have been utilizing packets for decades, and they’ve shown to be an effective strategy. They aid in student organization by ensuring that everything they require is conveniently located. Because they don’t have to record a lot of different paperwork, they can focus on their work.
Everything they need for the entire unit is contained within a single, convenient packet. My packs are created to aid students in grasping the most important concepts. There are nine pages in each box, and the first page has a brief history of the era or unit in question.
Then there are sections on vocabulary, geography, a timeline, basic themes, and visual analysis, among other subjects.
Computerized Diaries
Activity packets are comparable to 9/11 picture books in that they contain all of the necessary information for a course in a single location. Picture books are engaging for younger students and provide them the chance to get some basic knowledge of historical events. Activities, on the other hand, give older pupils some more interesting and interactive tasks to perform.
In each set, you’ll find between 8 and 12 pages devoted to the most important topics of that section of American history. Students engage in fun and interactive activities by typing right on the pages, adding images, and dragging and dropping material.
You may use them to integrate into your classroom without printing a single sheet of paper effectively! Using computers, iPads, or any other gadget that accepts Google Drive, you may complete them all online!
If you’re going to the computer lab, it’s a must-have. It’s not a good fit for kids who prefer to study from notes or paper because they are fully digital. They’re fantastic, though, because students can use them from anywhere and don’t have to be concerned about misplacing important papers throughout their studies.
Notebooks with Touch Screen Interactivity
In the classroom, active pads have been around for some time and are still a useful tool. The visual organizers aid students in classifying and better comprehending the material they learn. Aside from that, they’re fun for the students to make.
Students can use these graphic organizers to help them understand any subject matter you assign them. It’s up to you whether or not you incorporate them into your lesson plan regularly. You can use interactive notebook exercises to stimulate student creativity and demonstrate their mastery of core ideas in your curriculum because of the hands-on and imaginative nature of the activities.
For example, the 13 Colonies through the conclusion of the Cold War are all covered in aUS History curricula, with more than 100 interactive notebook pages. Cut-and-fold graphic organizers and complete answer keys accompany each set of completed sheets.
The “Flipped Classroom” Experience
In a “flipped classroom,” students view a video at home and then complete the traditional “homework” in class, in which the teacher can offer more support. Taking presentations out of the classroom and free up more time for assignments, primary source study, and other in-class activities.
37+ videos are included in my US History program, which covers every key idea. In each, the most important concepts, individuals, phrases, and events are explained so that pupils can comprehend them. One of them is about the Watergate Scandal, and you can check it out here.
Guided PowerPoint Presentations
Of course, lecturing or delivering knowledge via PowerPoint is a conventional method of education. Despite the stigma attached to it, most of us still have to go through a PowerPoint presentation with our children from time to time to cover important material.
We also don’t use PowerPoints, as you recall from school. Students will find them all visually appealing and thought-provoking. There are also 3-D visuals and moving portraits of historical individuals that bring them to life.
Conclusion
Teaching American history is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. I have developed a variety of learning methods and tools over the years. Packets of instructions for each unit aid in a student organization and ensure that everything they require is conveniently located. Digital notebooks contain all necessary information for a course in a single location. Packets contain between 8 and 12 pages devoted to the most important topics of that section of American history.
Growing up, whenever we visited India, every family we visited, my mom would whisper in my ear, “Make sure you touch their feet.” I would do so dutifully, only to have some of the men always say, “Daughters shouldn’t touch feet.” This was because in many sub Hindu castes, the daughter is a reflection of Goddess Laxmi and thus, her touching feet is not considered good luck for the one whose feet are being touched in Indian culture.
One day I asked my mom, “Why do you make me do it, when they say I don’t need to?”
She replied laughing, “What does it matter? What do we lose by giving that respect to them. It gives you a good workout none the less!”
There are many ways people touch feet. Also known as Charan Sparsh, it has been followed for ages, probably since the Vedic period. Many people over the phone even simply say the words to relay the feeling. Sadarpranam is another phrase used.
Today, I do request my children to touch our feet. One their birthdays and the day they succeed at something or achieve a milestone. Do I force them? No. As with everything, I will let time and them decide what they do as they grow older. For now, I have explained the below to them for …
There are many reasons behind the Indian tradition of touching feet.
Giving Respect
The truth is, whether they want to, or not, the smile an elder gets when you give them that respect is truly wonderful to see. A simple act of bowing down to touch someone’s feet to seek blessings from their aura, setting our ego aside is just a sign of respect. Respect for the experiences, age or success of another.
There is science and tradition behind the act itself, but that smile is an indulgent one that shows us that they appreciate it. And the beauty of blessings and good wishes cannot be denied.
Get Blessings
I have always believed in earning good will.
Every single time, I am in trouble, stressed or happy about something, I go online and share it or ask people for wishes. I do believe in vibes and the fact, that wishes when passed on in a moment of pure feeling always help us succeed.
And who has the purest of wishes for us, more than those ahead of us in age, wisdom or familial link?
Positive words of “Long life” or “May you succeed” or “Be successful” simply slip out of the mouth the moment you touch someone’s feet and there is nothing untoward about that. The elders touch your head with emotions filled with Karuna (affection) and bless you. This emits positive vibes from the elders, which are passed on to you.
Science
The human body is said to contain negative and positive current. The left side of the body is said to carry the negative current while the right side of the body carries positive energy. When a person touches the feet of another person, the two bodies connect with each other, which creates a complete circuit of positive and negative energy.
It is said that touching the feet of elders also has a biological significance. The nerves are spread all over the body of a human. Some of them end at the toes of the feet and the fingertips of our hands. So, when the fingertips of a person touch the toes of his her elders, the finger becomes the receptor of energy, thereby, accepting energy emitted from the body of the elders, while the toes of the elders become the giver of energy.
Health Benefits
And bending over touching our toes is a legit exercise. Imaging touching the feet of elders in the home every single day (in a joint family). Half a work out done!
As per Indian scholars, there are three ways of touching feet. The first one is the basic way of bending forward and touching the feet. The second is to sit on your knees and then touch the feet of the other person. The third and last one requires you to lie down on your stomach, with your forehead touching the ground, which is also known as the Sashtang Pranam, generally practiced by devotees in Hindu temples. While bending forward to touch feet, your back and waist are stretched.
When you sit on your knees and then touch the feet of an elder, your knees are bent and all of the joints in your body are stretched, which relieves you from joint pain. While engaging Sashtang Pranam, your entire body stretches and body pain is cured.
Defining Relations/Hierarchy
In India, people touch the feet of their elder brothers, parents, grandparents, teachers, spiritual gurus and other senior citizens.
Only the feet of elders and such respectable people are touched because all through their life, they have acquired a lot of knowledge, experience and virtues, which prove to be extremely powerful and benefitting for the ones who show them respect and seek their blessings.
In recent times, as people live far from their direct family, we often touch the feet of those who we would love to develop a bond with. Like on my 15th anniversary, my friends’ parents came over and I touched their feet out of how much I miss my parents and told them how they represent all OUR elders back in India.
Now, coming to one controversial aspect of this is whether women should touch their husband’s feet? Or siblings each other? As for me, I do touch my husband’s feet once every year on Karvachauth. He is one year older than me, and the rudder of my life. Always pointing me in the right direction and helping me reach for my dreams, so yes, I do not feel any less touching his feet.But this ofcourse is very personal and not everyone should and would choose what another does.
Occasions for touching feet in India
Indians touch the feet of their elders on various occasions in their daily life, such as:
• When starting something new • When milestones are achieved • Before going on a trip • Before an exam or an important meeting • When an elder guest comes to your house or you go their house
So, contrary to the times we live in, there is really no downside for putting our ego aside and touching the feet of those who are older to us in various respects. Tomorrow though, if my children choose not to, I would not force them. But if they do carry forward this beautiful tradition, I hope they remember these wonderful benefits.
I would add the caveat though the respect should be given to only those who you feel the same for. Not just to get “points” in a relationship or as an obligation. If the feeling does not come from within, or your gut says otherwise, do whatever your heart says. For any exchange of energies is beneficial only when done so with honesty.
What a great topic to break down into byte size pieces for kids!
An early reader, this book is a great opening into chapter books. While content heavy, this book is full of great information for the child in your care, this book is simply wonderful to teach and talk to your kids about the science behind all the electronics in our lives. Your kids are sure to get into technology after reading this book and if they are already into technology, they are going to love this book as a gift.
With the various children shown in this book, you also get a diverse perspective from each child. It is funny in parts which is always a great hit with my kiddos, each 7 year old and 11 year old.
The colorful illustrations are another big plus. You see the children doing their own thing and even interactions with the adults. Each one unique in it’s own way, as is the interrelation aspects between the kids.
Daily we face multiple issues in our gadgets. This book helps build conversation around how to be more responsible with gadget use as well, a BIG PLUS for moms raising children in the digital age. LOVED !!!
Book Description per Amazon
‘The Flying Chip’ is about a unique adventure embarked upon by a bunch of curious kids along with a flying microchip. The geeky and friendly Chip takes the kids into the fascinating world of technology. It allows them to make notes and learn fun things about electronic gadgets and encourages them to pick pearls of wisdom sprinkled subtly along the way. This book offers an aerial view of gadgets and their insides.
It also talks about Artificial Intelligence and the way it has crept into every fabric of human life. In a world where STEaM has been steadily gathering steam, ‘The Flying Chip’ would be a great read. This book is recommended for children between 5 to 10 years of age.
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