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Category Archives: school
Spark Your Kid’s Love for a sport and Keep the Spark Alive – An Overview
There is no denying that sports are one of the best ways to keep fit and healthy. Many parents enroll their kids enthusiastically into sports but it is found that almost 70% of them drop out or leave in their teens itself, many to concentrate on studies and many due to lack of interest or boredom.
But, times have changed and there has been a lot of advancement in studying the behavioral issues of children with the help of sports psychologists who make use of various research, theories and applied strategies to help the kids around a particular sport that they enjoy and to stay with the sport for a longer time.
The sports psychologists are trying to work on the kid’s idea of fun and trying to nurture the idea and helping coaches better their communication skills, helping kids support their team members and set as well as achieve the goals. Other tried and tested strategies include praise for dedication and effort. It’s not just winning and bringing out the mistakes but at the same time praising the good and offering solutions in the areas which need to be worked at. Experts have found that this approach works better than the winning oriented aggressive and ego –involving approach and helps in building teams and healthy relationships within them, ultimately affecting their well-being overall.
There are a couple of models very popularly used overseas in universities and are giving good results- the Smith and Smoll’s mastery model and evidence based Coping cat model in order to help and support young athletes suffering from anxiety disorders. They make use of anxiety reduction techniques, deep breathing, problem solving, progressive muscle relaxation, cognitive restructuring customized according to the personal needs of teams. There has a been a study which states that more than individual coaching for anxiety, group or team coaching works better, thus inculcating the interventions as a part of the drill so it is not weird for the one who is struggling.
Mutual support and respect is also important within the team. As per experts the culture has to be inviting and caring, supportive and safe where every player feels important and valued which can be dealt using caring climate intervention techniques.
Well, primarily the love for sports or a particular sport needs to be there but if it is there then keeping that spark alive can actually help your child realize his passion or dream and excel in the area with flying colors hence taking help of sports psychologists for the same in association with school authorities is a good idea.
An active child shows interest in everything. They display happiness and feel good. They perform well academically too. Physical activities are a must for children to make them active all throughout the day. At least an hour of physical activities per day is a must.
What Role Do Parents Play in their Child’s Learning Process
There is no denying that kids follow the foot-steps of their parents in many ways than one. So, not only the parents have to be careful what they say but careful about how they behave or what they do when kids are around. Hence, as a parent you need to know that you are actually the first role model of your child and hence it’s how you nurture the sapling that affects its blooming in the future.
Being a role model – As the saying goes, parents are a child’s first teachers, you as a parent not only teach directly but the child takes a lot by observing you as well. Hence, if you want your child to be good, you need to be good primarily.
Invest time Bonding – It’s very important for a child to feel emotionally secure and protected. For a child to feel this way, personal bonding is important. This can happen by exchanging frequent hugs, smiles and pats. Spending a lot of time together and doing activities together.
Observe your Childs Interests – You can be the torch bearer for fueling your child’s passion and directing your child’s energy in the right direction. To do the same you need to find out the interests of your child and then work around nurturing them, thus helping your child realizing their passion, working on it and ultimately excelling.
Make them learn their way – Make learning easy, interesting and fun using methodologies which your child understands and responds to. If your child likes to learn through pictures, trying doing that modality or a combination of modalities that fit best for easy learning of your child.
Read Stories / Tell Stories – Albert Einstein said ‘if you want your children to be intelligent read them fairy tales, if you want your children to be more intelligent read them more fairy tales. Well, need I say anything more? Read a lot with your children, read them stories at bed time, read read and read.
Well, there is a lot that goes in being a parent, and a there’s nothing like a good or bad child, its only about a good or bad parent!
The parent-teacher association of Vydehi School of Excellence is an active body of the School. Every parent and teacher is a member of the association, as VSE strongly believes that parents and teachers must work together with children to improve the quality of education.
As School Reopening Time Nears, are Your Kids Anxious Already?
Commonly known as the Back to school syndrome in children, being aware about it and considering the fact that anxiety and nervousness or stress is not just a condition found in adults but even children can help in working around it. Children at their own level undergo stress or bouts of anxiety and one such situation is the school reopening time after holidays, when the kids go to a new class with a new teacher though overall surroundings might remain same, more or less.
Well, know once and for all that this feeling is quite normal for kids of all ages. But, you need to know when to consult a doctor. It is when these problems persist for long and become problematic for child’s mental health and if it looks like some anxiety disorder.
There have been cases of an icky feeling or jitters in the stomach in turn leading to kids puking or not eating anything at all when going to school. The syndrome known as back to school syndrome has been quite common and is linked with children who either start school to a new class post summer vacations or change their school.
So how to deal with this disorder? Firstly, it’s important to take it seriously and not ignore it. When you are in their shoes is when you feel what they must be feeling like. Now, further you may share you experiences of school with the child and make them understand that it was not just the case with him or her but many kids their age do feel the same way. Respect their fears and the stress they undergo and reassure the child through examples of your own episodes of anxiety in school.
For kids who are in nursery or kindergarten, a good idea is to set the school routine around a fortnight before the school begins. This includes waking the child up in the morning as per the school routine so that his or her body adjusts to the routine within time. The start of school then wouldn’t affect the sleeping routines set during the vacations and the body will also adjust to the earlier routines without much of a hassle for you. If you do not set a routine of putting kids early to bed and wake them around an hour or two before the school in case the school is in the morning, they might end up throwing tantrums once they have to do so on opening of the school.
You may also take them over to the school once or twice and their new class or the new school so that they get a hang of it and are a bit familiar of what it’s going to be like. This can help them relax a bit and lower their anxiety levels. Many schools are very supportive with this drill and you might as well get in touch for the permission to do so.
Well, trying to understand your kids and working around their issues can also help them feel secure with you and develop a bonding with them besides helping them cope with their stress, anxiety and nervousness issues from time to time and not just during school reopening times.
Reasons Behind Exam Stress in Kids
In today’s highly competitive world, there is competition in every field be it academic or sports or art or music, leading to stress amongst all ages of people. Even kids are subject to the stress in academics during their exams because there is a lot of pressure to match the expectations of parents and their peers. Though a certain amount of stress is always a good thing because it does help in a positive way in keeping up with the seriousness required with studies, stress that exceeds the permissible limits is certainly hazardous.
Causes
To know about the causes of stress in your child, communication with your child is the key. Though, there are few general factors that can cause stress. Here’s a run through –
Unpreparedness – If exam course is not complete and the child feels that the preparation is not adequate, it can cause stress. Apparently, it is most common cause of stress amongst children. This is not the result of exams but more of the culture in the families around exams and exam time. Since, childhood only the kids are time and again taught about the importance of exams and how marks hold a lot of significance in their lives.
Inferiority Complex – Many children experience stress due to their own beliefs and feelings. They see how other children fare in their exams and don’t want to feel inferior to them or there is a sense of competition as well in some children and hence then want to score high marks or have an ambition of topping. This can also lead to stress during examinations because they have set a bar for themselves and they have to work hard for it.
Parental Pressure – This pressure is one of the most influential ones and one of the main causes of anxiety, stress and depression around exam time in children. Particularly when it comes to board exams, Indian parents tend to freak out themselves and put immense pressure on children to score. Parents keep on comparing their kids with others in their colony or circle or apartment and expect them to score high marks inspite of the fact that every individual is unique and has different abilities.
Well, parents and kids as well need to know that everyone is gifted with unique ability and each one has different abilities as well. Some are good in academics while some in sports, some in music, some in craft and so on. So, if you are not performing well in academics, it does not mean that you are inferior to others or get stressed. Work hard but try to avoid stress because it will only hinder your learning ability. Parents also need to understand the fact and work with their kids in reducing exam stress of their kids and making them comfortable during exam time. Well, try out and see, it will only affect your kid positively and on a long run will improve your academic performance, your kid’s mental health as well as your relationship with the kid as well.
DAY CARE VS STAY AT HOME PARENTING – ANALYSIS
This question has been a topic of debate and discussion for a long time now. Apparently, there are a group of parents who believe that day cares for their kids are a good alternative for working parents while another feels that stay at home parenting is the best way of parenting. Many parents struggle and are in dilemma about the same as well. Well, like every coin has its two sides, so does parenting have its own pros and cons. Let us run down a comparative analysis around the two first –
Factors of Choice – Now taking up a day care for your child is not a pocket friendly event. These days day cares are highly expensive and the better the facility the bigger the hole your pocket is likely to get. Sometimes, it’s that stay at home parenting is not feasible due to the poor financial condition and the need for both the parents to work to earn a living. Survey states that in a country like USA parents spend 7% of their income of child care. Many other factors like timings, distance from home or office, disposition, child’s adjustment capabilities play an important role while opting for a day care against stay at home parenting.
Pros – Day Care – A quality day care often provides a structured schedule for the children which in turn helps them to hone their skills like sports, art, craft and more. Children at day care tend to become independent early on as compared to kids living at home with parents. Their intellect, social and cognitive skills also increase and thus they tend to achieve be better at academics.
Cons – Day Care – At a day care children tend to come in contact with other children and hence the possibility of they catching infections and fever increases more than usual. Also, spending a significant amount of time away from home can be exhausting and frustrating for the children as well. A survey has also indicated that the rate of positive interaction between mother and child is quite less if the child is left in a day care.
Pros – Stay at home Parenting – On the flip side, stay at home parenting has its own benefits. One of them being constant love, security and parental care experience for the child increasing the bonding between the parent and child and making him feel confident and happy. Due to the one on one ratio the child feels loved and special with stay at home parenting.
Cons – Stay at home Parenting – Stay at home parenting many a times leads to slow learning abilities in terms of social skills compared to the day care peers. Even the maturity ratio is less with added disadvantage of higher stranger anxiety once they are put in school. Even the parents who stay at home seem to be fatigued, exhausted and isolated from the social life due to the 24 hour routine.
Mixed Reviews – different people have different opinions when it comes to parenting at home vs day care. While the traditional lot feels that a parent specifically a mom is needed for a child in his or her early years around and day care isn’t a reliable option. There is the contemporary lot which feels working and being ambitious and independent is important for a better life style for the family on a whole as well hence the alternative. Even moms are not that up for day cares it’s observed and basically are interested in having best of both worlds but they seldom succeed to do so.
Parenting Teens in Today’s Times
Yes, undoubtedly parenting a teenager is challenging and more so in today’s times with so much exposure available due to internet, gadgets and television. If you thought that the two to four years of your child is the only age when you experience difficulty in handling your toddler then the answer to that idea is the worst is yet to come. It’s not about scaring you in advance but practically teenage is an age when there are hormonal changes in your children and they are more into their peers and may sense the neglect you get. Yet, there are ways that can help you sail through the period without getting stressed to the core and avoiding blunders that could affect your child and your relationship as well.
Well, no need to fret and the cliché saying the only way out is through does go well with the situation called teenage parenting. So, here are a few parenting hacks or tips that might just help you find a way through this teenage tunnel.
1. Communicate – This is the key to connecting with your child one on one. Communicate with your child and this can only happen when you and he or she share a great bonding. In today’s times when both the parents are busy working and there is not enough time to spend with the child try to use whatever time is on hand to the optimum. If its dinner time, make it a time you can spend together chitchatting, go for movies or catch up a sport or adventure activity with the child. Try playing some indoor sport or board game with the child. If you create a healthy and friendly environment at home your child will eagerly share his or her issues, worries or questions or problems with you.
2. Listen – Give your child a listening ear. Only because is young don’t try to ridicule everything he or she says or is upto. Don’t judge them and expect them to act as if they are adults. They have an opinion as an individual and you need to atleast hear it out when the need be whether or not you agree to it.
3. Empathize – Sometimes there are issues or stressful situations that might not mean anything to you as a parent or be a small issue which can be easily handled but you need to understand that your child is not an adult like you and it could be a very big issue for him or her. Try to put yourself in their shoes before you react or jump to conclusions.
4. Respect Privacy – Each one of us including children need their own space at some point of time. Respect that a parent and while you supervise them, also make sure that you give them the space they need. Back off when it’s required because this will help them become self-reliant.
5. Be a friend not a parent – This can get you very close to your teenage kid because this is the age when kids are looking out for friendships and companionships. So, if you are a strict parent or a pressuring one then it’s difficult for them to seek a friend in you. Yes you will be needing a lot of Patience and be friend with their friends too. Don’t snap them in front of their friends or neglect them in front of others.
Well parenting a teenage is one of the most taxing time but with some changes in your own parenting methods, you can surely find a way.
5 Creative Activities To Keep Your Children engaged in Summer Holidays
Its summer holidays and every parent wants to keep their kids engaged into various different activities other than play time. Well, creative activities other than sports can keep your kid engaged and get his or her creative juices churning as well. Here is a list of few creative activities you can let your kids do or accompany them for doubling the excitement and fun. A kid always wishes his or her parent to be around them when
CRAFT
There is a lot of scope for children in creating stuff with craft raw material. Activities like decorating a kite, making a pencil holder or decorating a fruit basket or even gift wrapping keep kids engaged and engrossed in creating beautiful stuff out of their imagination. Letting them take a call is a good idea while you be the guiding light.
POTTERY
Creating small pots and vessels out of clay not only sounds interesting but is practically interesting too and not only kids but people of all ages enjoy this activity. Coloring those created objects can further add to the interest of your kids. It will even give them a sense of satisfaction to see what they have created and feel good about it.
CLAY MOULDING
This is a surefire activity for kids particularly the toddlers and with molding sand or clay they can create anything they can imagine of be it animal or bird or flower or still life or even their favorite cartoons like ‘Shaun the sheep’. The clay is available in a variety of colors and using it can be a lot of fun.
EMBROIDARY – Mostly it is the girls who seem to be more interested in embroidery activity compared to boys but nevertheless you can tell them to give it a try. Be it knitting a muffler or embroidery on a handkerchief, the results will surely make your kids smile to satisfaction.
ACCESSORY DESIGN – Be it using beads or other raw material, kids will enjoy making necklaces or bracelets for themselves. The use of colors and creativity can sure create small wonders out of their imagination.
So, plan some cooler projects for your kids this summer and see their imagination buds soar unimaginable heights. Have fun!
How To Deal With Disruptive Children
Many A times parenting can get highly stressful, particularly when you have to deal with kids with disruptive behaviour. You at times tend to give up because you feel no single way you tried is working well with your kid. Though disruptive behaviour can be a result of behavioural conditions on an average all normal children do have behavioural issues on and off. Only when the behaviour is persistent and there are symptoms of clinical issues is when a mental health specialist could be brought in to review the disorder like ADHD, anxiety or more.
Here are few tips that might just help you out in dealing with the disruptive behaviour of your child.
1. Tell what to do – We always tend to tell our children to not do something when it’s always a good idea to tell them what to do. For example if you child is jumping on the bed, you rather say, please get down dear and not stop jumping or don’t jump.
2. Respect them – Whenever talking to them respect them as you would to anyone one else of your age, respect their opinion even if you don’t abide by it or like it. Even while instructing them be respectful and calm in whatever you say and they’ll do the same.
3. Speak with Clarity – Whatever instruction you give to your child or whatever you say needs to be crystal clear. Rather and saying go and do it. Say please start doing your homework for example.
4. Don’t keep Repeating – you need to wait for the message to sink in before you repeat it so wait for a minute or so before repeating what you said. If you keep repeating, your child will assume that you would repeat it for him or her.
5. Motivation and Praising – Rewards or praising works really well with kids. So if your kid does his or her work on time, reward them some extra play time or TV time. This will act as a motivation to them.
Try to be a friend of your child but none the less teach them to be well manned and disciplined where it is needed through use of parenting strategies. Happy Parenting.
The parent-teacher association of Vydehi School of Excellence is an active body of the School. Every parent and teacher is a member of the association, as VSE strongly believes that parents and teachers must work together with children to improve the quality of education.
Tips to be Kept in Mind While Choosing a Daycare for your Child
These days managing kids while both parents are working is a very difficult task. You as parents are not able to give time to your kids as a major chunk of your time is spent at office and when home, you are so exhausted, stressed and tired that you ultimately give up to television and other gadgets that ensure that your kids are hooked to them and do not cause any bottleneck for you. Even you tend to unwind or relax in front of your television sets of tablets. But, be aware that its simply convenient for you, but harmful for your kids mental health. It impact the psychology of the child deeply because of the very little or no time you get to spend with your child.
Additionally children many a times become soft targets to parents, to vent their frustration and anger of office at home on them. Parenting is a huge responsibility and often you don’t gauge what’s coming when you plan a child. It’s only when you actually become a parent is when the enlightenment about the never ending responsibilities happens. When working parents do not have their own parents to be with their children is when the day care option is chosen.
Parents either go for a care taker or nanny or day care alternative. But, do you as a parent bother to carry out a check about the day care before you admit your child there. Here are a few tips to help you find a suitable day care for your child.
Location – The near the better. Go for a day care that is either near to your office or home. This will make it easy for you to pick up and drop and even in times of emergency. Plus, you will save time on commuting to far off day care, thus utilise the time to spend with your child.
Testimonial – If you have neighbours or friends who leave their child or children in day care, enquire from them. As there are umpteen day care facilities available, it’s very difficult to make the right choice. Testimonials can help a lot in shortlisting the good few.
Infrastructure – Infrastructure is vital. The day care should provide good facility as far as cleanliness, healthcare and hygiene is concerned as children are prone to infections.
Personal Visit – When you go for a visit, jot down the questions you need to ask and facilities you need to check on. Take the checklist along so that you do not forgot anything that is important and to be discussed out or checked out. Check for child caregiver ratio, food type and quality, cleanliness, bathrooms and nap rooms, TV schedule and their routine they follow with kids.
Safety & Discipline – Do check out for what safety measure have been put in place and the disciplinary measures they use with children and if you approve of them.
Child Comfort – If the child’s school has a reliable day care, the child would more or less be comfortable there else if you happen to narrow down one or two, take your child to visit the facility and see how he or she feels when out there.
Well, you need to do your homework before putting your child into a day care facility because after all your child is going to spent a major chunk of the day in that space and that too without you to keep an eye over.
Learning through play is fundamental to the philosophy of learning at Vkids. We recognize that play is an essential element in the development of young children, providing situations where they control the events and construct knowledge.
What Kind of a Parent are You?
A child is like clay, you mould it the way you move your hands, so you are the artist and if you want to churn out a masterpiece out of him or her, you need to be good in first place. Every parent has their own way of parenting which might differ in one ways than more from any other parent. But, do you know what kind of a parent are you. Read more to find out if you your style of parenting is on the list and whether its working wonders or probably hampering your child’s growth.
Do you keep Comparing? – You might have come across this kinds many a times. Such style of parenting is all about comparing your child with other children around and telling your child to be like them. Apparently, it does the exact opposite. It instills feelings of self-pity, self-esteem and worthlessness. Not empathizing with the child can easily aid in deforming the personality of the child.
Are you a passive parent? – Yes, saying yes to every requirement need and want of the child and not participating with the child in their activities can make the child an over confident person when he or she grows up. Such children cannot accept criticism or mistakes positively.
Do you beat your child? – Giving your child a whack here and there is fine but being abusive is what can transform your child into an adult bearing an extreme personality. You might not be aware of a few facts on mental health but being abusive could damage the cognitive development of the child
Are you uninvolved parent? – As an uninvolved parent you won’t be knowing much about your child, be it about what he or she did at school, about homework of the child and are least bothered about whom your child is spending time or hanging out. When you do this, your child will adapt and raise himself or herself. Such children do suffer with self-esteem issues. They might end up performing poorly at school and experience behavioral problems, sadness often.
Are you an authoritative Parent? – If you are an authoritative parent, it’s kind of my way or highway take on your children. You will want your children to do only what you want them too and nothing else and breaking their rules means facing punishment. Children controlled by authoritative can grow up to become aggressive and turn hostile. But, if authoritative parents modify their style into using positive discipline strategies like praises and rewards for good behavior then children of such parents grow up to be happy and successful kids. They become responsible and are comfortable expressing their opinions.
So, if you kind of feel that you are one of the above try to mend your ways to positive yet disciplined parenting and help your kids grow up as happy and responsible adults.
Vydehi School of Excellence aims at carrying out its mission through vigorous involvement of the entire school community by an effective communication structure.