Sex Education: Handle your Child's curiosity about sex

To talk about sex with children is a difficult task for parents. Many times you must have ignored the discussion with the help of the old story of ‘birds and bees’. Curiosity about sex is a normal part of the child development. It’s for the parents to handle their queries in the age appropriate way. Instead of running from kids in relation to this topic, parents must create an open climate for discussion about sex. It is very important for child’s development of healthy attitude about sex and sexuality.

Children usually learn about sexuality from their parents, either by watching their parents interact or by listening to them. They also observe how they react to sexual behavior and messages in television and movies etc.  Parents with healthy attitude about sex likely pass the same to their children. Parents, who avoid discussing about sex with their children, get the idea that sex is bad and they might seek information from somewhere else, and that information may be misleading for them.

Here are certain things that parents must consider with regards to discussion about sex with children-

• While discussing sex, parents must keep in mind child’s maturity level. While talking with younger children, language must be kept simple and sentences short. Children who have had discussion with their parents are more comfortable with the subject and are more likely to approach their parents for asking anything related to it.
• Parents must show that they are always available for the children. Let them know in words and actions, so they can approach you with their doubts about the topic.
• When children enter puberty, parents can talk about changes in their body like voice change, breast development etc. and you can take the opportunity to talk about the changes that take place in one's body during adolescence.
• Parents should understand that their children need privacy too. Also, they must respect their children’s privacy and teach him to respect others. At the same time, they should teach their children to respect privacy of their parents as well.
• Parents must explain sex differences to children, especially pre-school children are curious about the differences between boys and girls.  Parents ought to explain these differences to their kids. 
• Answer their queries about sex directly and honestly. Children can often sense that their questions are being evaded and they are being told untruth. Children may likely begin to feel that their parents are not to be trusted.

Earth Day Celebration by Presidians

Earth day is the perfect occasion for everyone to reflect on what we are doing to protect the environment. It is celebrated in different ways throughout India. In schools, students are sensitized about Mother Nature and planet earth. Informative interactions and discussions are held with students regarding environment and whole gamut of issues ranging from climate change to pollution and safety of animals.

Presidium school also celebrated earth day with great pleasure with its students. Several activities were planned in the school for them. Students were shown slides and presentation on conservation of nature. Banners and colorful posters were displayed, which read “go green’’, ‘save trees’, “plant a tree’ etc.  Also, plantation of trees and flowers were carried out in the school yard. In addition there was inter-school painting competition on theme ‘nature conservation’ where students were given opportunity to express their thoughts through colors.  All this was done to spread awareness amongst students and to teach them importance of preserving planet earth.  

Teachers also held educational sessions about the environment. They imparted knowledge about reuse and recycle. In addition, educated –what harm does pollution and greenhouse gas emissions cause? Teachers assigned environment related projects to students that required lot of research and information gathering. Students were then asked to share their knowledge with others in class.The purpose of the celebration is to create understanding amongst school students on the growing gaps between the bio-capacity and ecological footprint and to imbibe in them the consciousness and skills to comprehend the current scenario and take action.

Fun Activities For Children To Do In Summer Break

The excitement is at its peak as summer break dawns but soon this sheer thrill turns into absolute boredom as kids feel unoccupied and bored. No planned activities tend to make holidays dull and monotonous. To make the most of these summer holidays help children have fun while learning new things. For this, parents must make some plans and schedule fun activities to keep kids engaged and prevent house full of bored kids.

Camping activities: Parents can either enroll kids into summer camps or even let them have fun at varied day camps. Camping is a good way to widen mental horizons of kids. Kids learn to be independent away from family and home. Also, they learn to make many new friends.  Those children who seek adventure then outdoor camps are appropriate for them. Even for older kids it is perfect. Another fun idea is backyard camping, where children can pitch tent at the backyard of their house or at the garden or lawn. Kids love to sleep outside and in the camp it will add more fun.

School Programs for summer vacations: Certain schools offer summer activities and programs for vacation like combined academic and sports activities. Other activities like dance, theatre, music, sports and adventure etc. All these provide exposure and train children to be self-reliant and foster feeling of togetherness and unity. It happens to be experience of self discovery which is loaded with fun and adventure.

Fitness regime: Keep children active during summer break. Engross them into fitness activities. Set a schedule for him. Start by taking him for a walk early morning or playing football or cricket with him. It will not only make the child active but will also strengthen your bond with him. It will take little bit of time and planning every day to structure his daily routine but eventually your child will like it. While planning always remember to keep at least keep 60 minutes of physical activity each day to be healthy.

 Plan outdoor activity or trips: Plan trips with your children. Let them pick place of their interest. Involve them at every stage of planning such as getting directions, choose mode of transport to commute, finding ticket prices etc. Try and select destination which is fun and learning for them. If you are visiting cross country, let your children experience and gather information about visiting country’s culture.

Make it memorable for kids and let them cash all fun. Two month break can be truly eventful for them. So, plan it accordingly and turn summer time into fun time for you and for your kids.

The Invaluable Role of Grandparents in Child’s Upbringing

There are many joys of being a grandparent as you share immeasurable warmth and love with your grandchildren. As a grandparent, you play significant role in supporting and helping parents in upbringing of the child. In Indian society, grandparents are often regarded as family watchdogs and stress buffers.  They are major support to members during family disruptions and share unique bond with their grandchildren.

Best Playmates to Grandchildren

Grandparents have always acquired the image of jolly good fellows. They are always fun to be around and enjoyable to be with. They spent quality time with children telling them stories, taking them for short trips, buying goodies and gifts for them etc. Especially, grand moms are known for cooking special delicacies for their grandchildren. They happily cook all favorite dishes for their grandson and grand-daughter.  Children generally feel comfortable with them as they listen to their kidish talks and participate in their games. Grandparents always try to make the grandchild feel special and proud of himself. It is the duty of parents to teach children to show appreciation and love for them.

Unique Bond and Camaraderie  

Children find that there is unique acceptance in their relationship with grandparents, which is natural and special. Their bond with them benefits emotionally and mentally.  Their unconditional love and attitude brings children closer to them.

Grandparents can be very patient and effective teachers. They lovingly teach morals and etiquette to grandchildren through stories and examples. Spending time their grandparent, they learn to do simple household jobs. Meanwhile, it teaches them to be independent and self-confident.

Grandparents are more relaxed than parents as they have fulfilled almost all worldly responsibilities of raising family and other duties. That’s why they are able to invest more in their grandchildren. They listen to them patiently and are able to advice them better. It is no doubt that grandparents are vital resource for both parents and children. They provide all round support including childcare, financial assistance, emotional support and wise guidance to the entire family. 

Tips for Students to Prepare for Examination

An effective approach helps students to prepare better for the examinations. Such pro-active strategy enables them to stay focused and keeps them organized till the examination date. Those students who maintain fatalistic attitude and prepare passively for the D-day are likely to face trouble cracking them. An active approach facilitates students to keep situation under their control. Some helpful hints on how to prepare for exams can really guide students through.

Tip 1: Chart out a timetable

First things first, to begin with every child needs to carve out a timetable for himself or herself. He needs to evaluate his subjects and number of dedicated hours to each one of them. He also needs to figure out which subjects are tough and how much revision they require. Accordingly, calculate the number of hours dedicated to each subject. Also, keep time for breaks or intervals, which are equally essential. Without appropriate time-outs you may lose focus and may not be able to grasp the learning well.

Tip 2: Employ study techniques

Good study techniques such as repetition, flash cards and mnemonics are essential for better memorizing of the content. For repetition, a student needs to read and write the memorizing material over and over again. Flash cards prove to be very helpful in increasing the learning speed.

Tip 3: Go through previous year’s exam question papers

Students need to analyze exam question papers carefully and study its pattern. They should see what all questions have appeared and how many marks they carry. Also, observe what questions reappear year after year as often same questions are repeated. Students must also remember that certain questions can be easily predicted, but it cannot be ever guaranteed that they will come for sure.

Tip 4: Must learn to deal with exam stress

Examination time is surely stressful for parents and students.  Too much pressure can spoil child’s performance in exams. Burden of performing well in exams tend to makes child anxious and this high aroused level leads to a worsening his performance. Little anxiousness before exams is natural and it even helps in improving performance but too much of it does no good. Therefore, students must learn to deal with excess pressure. Always think about them in a positive way and keep negative thoughts at bay.

Tip 5: Try and stay relaxed and confident

If you will stay calm and relaxed, it will help you to think more clearly and quickly, and write more fluently during exam. Keeping a good attitude is essential. Time and again remind yourself that you are going to perform well.  If you find yourself panicking before exam, take a few deep breaths.

Tip 6: Don’t go sleep deprived

It is a must for students to take at least seven hours of sleep during exams. Exams are designed to make you think and if you go sleep-deprived, then you won’t be able to remember any of the information that you have learned so far. So, relax and take good amount of sleep.

Freedom and Responsibility Go Hand in Hand

As the child grows up, it’s not just learning phase for him but his parents as well. They must realize the importance of letting the child go and accepting his independence. But at the same time, they must make sure that they provide their full guidance and support to him.

Freedom

For teens freedom is important to make choices and for making crucial decisions. Along, with this they experience the consequences of those choices, thereby learning responsibility and self discipline. It gives them the opportunity to assert themselves, try new things and learn new skills.

Parents are often in a dilemma in granting freedom to their kids as they don’t understand how much and in what way to provide it.

When deciding amount of freedom for your kids set limits and while deciding that parents must keep in mind child’s abilities and past performances. Children who have shown responsible behavior earlier, they are able to make good choices and they earn increasing amounts of freedom. Though teenagers who are nearing 18 are entering adulthood but even for them guidance and supervision is still necessary as it is the most crucial stage of their life.

Responsibility

Freedom and responsibility must always be kept in balance. But, in balance between them, it is important to discern that freedom comes at the price of responsibility.

Give children responsibility that they can handle like babysitting a little brother or sister, or cleaning up the house etc. It will help you build trust through responsibility. Through responsibility you can have your child earn some far longer trust. Also, try and lead by example, show trust to those around you and show your children how you earned their trust it can help them see how to earn your trust.

No matter what, children need your constant love, encouragement and support as they growing up. Children must be essentially taught self discipline, responsibility and the skills they will need to live in the adult world. Children especially teens are often caught up with the expectations of the adults. Uncontrolled freedom and not enough responsibility, leads to a false sense of power in kids.

Every child is vying for freedom - freedom to move, freedom to connect, freedom to disconnect, freedom to explore, freedom to drive, buy stuff, date and be independent. You need to help your kid balance it in a way where freedom is earned with responsibility.

Positive Parenting: Celebrate Childhood Once Again

As a parent, you are blessed to live the childhood days once again. Not just considering child care as your duty, you must cherish every moment of this life’s phase. Cash the fun to the hilt and adopt an approach that provides you an opportunity to spend maximum time with your children. You must look forward to ways that will make childhood experience for you and for your child an exceptionally enjoyable and supportive one.

This is the period when you work towards building a strong foundation for your child’s future, therefore, try and create a happy foundation for him. Fill this stage with lots of happiness and joyful memories.

Find happiness in your child’s happiness – There is so much joy in a small child; share his amusements and laughter.  Having children in our lives is truly a blissful feeling. Make your child’s happiness your happiness.

Enjoy every moment – Don’t let go off any opportunity or miss any moment to enjoy with your child as these small moments together only make our life. Seek enjoyment in your child’s play or way he reacts to situations around him and especially the way a small child speaks, his way of poignancy and sentence structure that collide to make even serious things humorous. So enjoy every moment with them and cherish their companionship.

Let children be children – Don’t impose more than required restrictions on them. After all it’s their age to explore things around them. Let them divulge into things and figure out things themselves.  

Knit memories for lifetime – Plan out day-trips or weekends with them. Spend as much time as possible with your children. While planning your things to do list, always give priority to spending some quantity and quality time with them.

Gentle Discipline- Every one of us harnesses a school of thought that if you're not firm with children they won't learn as they won't take you seriously, which is a wrong notion. Positive parenting incorporates firmness but with a loving and gentle, approach.  If you are over-scheduled and frustrated, don’t pass it on to your children. They will feel stressed out too.

Playful Parenting- Parents need to lighten up and spend a few hours giggling with their kids every day. Playing is inherently healthy and beneficial for children and as well as for you. Engross in playful activities with them outdoors and remember children look for feedback, so smile, laugh and have fun!