Category: Parenting

How to Teach Problem-Solving Skills to Young Kids With Open-Ended Questions?

Posted on by Pallavi Prakash Kumar in Parenting, Problem Solving in Young Kids

Blog on How to Teach Problem-Solving Skills to Young Kids With Open-Ended Questions?

As infants, children are dependent on their parents for pretty much everything, feeding, cleaning, sleeping, and going around. Once they start walking, even though they hold their parents’ hand they become slightly independent. After a couple more years, they become way more independent as they start talking, walking, running, and playing around all by themselves. As they step into their teenage years, they become more self-reliant and then enter into adulthood, where they require minimal or no guidance. But growing up is not easy, there are a lot of challenges that children face, problems and conflicts within and in their outer environment.

So, how can we make our children independent where they can solve their problems in their personal & professional lives without help from outside of themselves – parents or others? How can we shape their growth and problem-solving mindset? What habits or skills can they carry into their adulthood that makes them confident, self-reliant and with a can-do attitude?

The simple way is developing a problem-solving mindset and teaching problem-solving skills. Good, relevant open-ended questions are one of the best ways to achieve this. You can explore other ways here, also to know why children need problem-solving skills early on. Can we teach Problem Solving to young children, as young as 3-year-olds or less? Follow this blog.

Now coming to…

What are open-ended questions?

Simply put, open-ended questions cannot be answered with a single word answer like ‘Yes’ or ‘No’. They begin with one of the six, 5W and/or H, these are Why? What? Where? When? Who/Whom? And How?

Thus, it’s not about telling them what to do; instead, it’s making them consider solutions and options through a question-answer or brainstorming approach. Through this, they get deeper into thinking creatively. These questions do not have any right/wrong answers. Instead, they can be all-inclusive, which becomes a good practice for developing children’s thinking abilities.

Open-ended questions cannot be answered with a single word answer like ‘Yes’ or ‘No’. They begin with one of the six, 5W and/or H, these are Why? What? Where? When? Who/Whom? And How?

Open-ended questions stimulate a child’s mind as they make them think deeper and garner interest in varied topics. Curiosity leads to more amicable solutions and opens the door for different ideas & opinions. Other benefits are:

  • Strengthen relations between child-parent/mentor.
  • Improves confidence & communication skills of the child.
  • Help develop functional skills naturally, which children can execute in various stages of life.
  • Make children more responsible, they learn to own their actions.
  • Enhances the engagement level of children and makes them focused.
  • Allows children to gain faith in sharing difficult situations with their parents/mentors.

How can you ask open-ended questions?

  • Start with asking general questions about daily activities.
  • Questions have to be asked as per children’s age. Make sure you ask as per their vocabulary skills.
  • Make it like an open-ended conversation rather than instruction based.
  • Use encouraging questions.
  • Don’t jump to conclusions very soon.
  • Do not force your problem-solving solution or decision.

Here are a few examples of open-ended questions for developing problem-solving skills that can be asked to a child when she gets stuck in a given situation:

  1. What are you doing?

Before getting deep into the problem, ask what the child is doing. Don’t directly start examining the situation.

  1. What happened?

This must come from the child’s side. Even if you already know the problem, courteously ask the child.

  1. What do you think is the problem?

Let the child identify the problem and tell you. Sometimes children know the problem but can’t explain it or may be hesitant to tell as they fear being reprimanded.

  1. How did this happen?

This question itself will bring out a solution in the answer. Try digging more into it.

  1. Why do you think this happened?

This would be like an extension of an earlier question to get a more comprehensive answer.

  1. Do you have any solution in mind?

This question will finally reveal what is there in the child’s mind.

  1. Do you think it will work?

This will help the child analyze the problem and or the solution.

  1. What will happen if you act like this or the other way around?

This will help in identifying the problem from various angles and getting multiple solutions.

  1. Which part is the toughest?

This will help them weigh the solution and choose the easiest & exact problem.

  1. What can be the consequence?

Here they will get ready for backup as they know what will work.

  1. How can you avoid this situation in future?

Children get prepared for avoiding mistakes & ready to face challenges in future.

  1. What did you learn?

Each experience gives learning, and realizing what they have learnt from their actions is the best learning.

  1. How do you feel now?

As parents/mentors, we need to find out about the feelings of our little ones – whether they are happy, satisfied, anxious, or confused. Along with the practical solutions, it’s essential to know their emotional make-up and feelings. Having control of one’s feelings is equally important while working on something.

Bottom Line

We live in a multifarious and unpredictable world. Here we come across problems anywhere, anytime. In this backdrop, open-ended questions for problem-solving can do wonders for young ones in the long haul.

One can practice questioning even while playing with children or reading storybooks. Just take up an incident and start conversing. One need not wait for a problem to occur.

Open-ended questions for problem-solving help children make decisions to resolve a problem and help adults appropriately guide them without dictating terms.

Remember that whatever questions you ask children, they should be leading, not influencing or facilitating, making them think & answer.

Happy Parenting!

12 Fun Movies and Sitcoms to Watch with Kids

Posted on by Pallavi Prakash Kumar in Parenting
Parenting Blog on 'List of Fun Movies and Sitcoms to Watch with Kids'

Watching movies or sitcoms with children is the easiest way to build that elusive bond with your children as it gives you insights to understand the children better. What moves them, what tickles their funny bones, what concerns them and when do they become quiet.  In addition to being fun, it can help kids learn new words, languages, and values as well as expand vocabulary and relieve stress.

Children are like a ball of energy, and they love to watch movies of all genres. The little ones especially like the ones that have lively and colourful characters.

So, here is the list of binge-worthy movies and sitcoms that are not only entertaining, funny, and magical but also teach some great lessons about life – subtly, though.

Ho-Ho! Holidays are also here, and you have all the more reasons to plan out movie nights with your little ones and family. Without further ado, make this list yours and let us know which ones you’ve watched during the holidays; we are all ears.

Here goes:

  1. Kung Fu Panda
Kung Fu Panda- Fun movie to watch with kids- With a balanced combination of action, comedy, and entertainment, 'Kung Fu Panda' is a must-watch family film. It is an entertaining film for every age group as it teaches some of the greatest life lessons.

Kung Fu Panda, the most fantastic animated movie of all time, holds a special place in the heart of almost everyone. With anthropomorphic animal characters, this movie is more than its title. It is about a panda named Po who has Kung Fu talents, but he is unaware of it. His high-kicking adventure begins when he gets chosen to protect his valley from the vicious snow leopard, Tai Lung.

With a balanced combination of action, comedy, and entertainment, ‘Kung Fu Panda’ is a must-watch family film. It is an entertaining film for every age group as it teaches some of the greatest life lessons. It elucidates that the power you seek outside lies within you, and you can explore this power by being you, the real You.

  1. Finding Nemo
'Finding Nemo' is a perfect fun family movie to watch with Kids. The best thing about this movie is that you find yourself warmly invested in it as soon as the movie begins and has some great life- lessons and parenting tips.

Filled with heart-pounding moments, ‘Finding Nemo’ is a story about Marlin, a clownfish, and his overprotective instincts toward his son Nemo. In the movie, Marlin ventures off to rescue Nemo when it is taken away by some scuba divers and placed into a fish tank at a dental office to eventually be given as a birthday gift to the dentist’s niece Darla. And Darla is known to kill her fish. How Marlin finds his way to his son is innovative and absolutely an engaging journey!

The line by Nigel, the Pelican, “Fish got to swim, birds got to eat.” in the film is quite thought-provoking. If you realize, there are actually no real villains, they’re just creatures that act according to their nature, and there are only a few that rise above it.

Nemo is a Greek word for “nobody”. So, in reality, Marlin, the clownfish who has over-caring instincts for his son, is finding no one but ‘Himself’. On the voyage, Marlin learns to rise above his own fears. He learns to be more adventurous and exploratory; he also receives timely parenting tips from a surfer fellow, a turtle, while his son Nemo learns to live on his own on the other side, self-reliantly.

The best thing about this film is that you find yourself warmly invested in it as soon as the movie begins. With its simple plot, this movie has several memorable characters and relatable events that will stay with you even after it ends. ‘Finding Nemo’ is a perfect family movie with an unexpected, entertaining, action-packed adventure.

  1. How to Train your Dragon
‘How to Train your Dragon’ is a must-watch fun movie for kids who are fascinated with dragons. It has an equal amount of fun and emotional moments between the characters and its events that make it memorable.

This movie is a must-watch for children who are fascinated with dragons. It has an equal amount of fun and emotional moments between the characters and its events that make it memorable. ‘How to Train your Dragon’ is a story about a teenage boy named Hiccup who lives on the island of Berk with his family. He aspires to hunt dragons and wants to join others in the town’s fight against the dragons that often raid his town. Despite the fact that everyone perceives him as small, weak and unfit for it, Hiccup ventures out and catches Night Fury, the rarest dragon species, and tries to kill it, but he is unable to do so. Eventually, they form a friendly relationship with each other. Hiccup learns that his people have misjudged the species and that there may be more to the creatures than he and others assume about them.

You are introduced to the theme and all the characters in the first five minutes of this movie, making it intriguing and keeping you hooked until the end. This movie comes as a blast full of animated series and is loved by one and all.

  1. Mr. Young
Mr. Young is a recommended sitcom watch for children aged 6 or above. It has many likeable and funny characters that can bring a smile to everyone's face.

Mr. Young is a Canadian sitcom meant for younger kids. It is a story about a child prodigy named Adam Young who enters college at the age of nine years, and by age fourteen, he begins his career teaching science to high schoolers. This show has many likeable and funny characters that can bring a smile to everyone’s face.

This sitcom is a recommended watch for children aged 6 or above.

The show presents the daily challenges faced by Adam in such a comical way that it is sure to give your family an enjoyable laugh. So are you ready to explore the extraordinary life of Mr. Young?

  1. Ratatouille
A Fun movie to watch with kids is Ratatouille- An inspiring story with a touch of humour, ‘Ratatouille’ coveys the same dilemma we feel when we want to pursue something but start doubting our capabilities, the movie shows how a rat named ‘Remy’ overcomes his hesitancy & fulfils his dream.

An inspiring story with a touch of humour, ‘Ratatouille’ follows a rat named Remy whose dream is to become a chef, but no one in his family truly supports his dream. Then something happens, and Remy meets a boy named Linguini and gets a chance to showcase his culinary skills with the condition that he keeps his identity hidden.

This movie conveys the same dilemma we feel when we want to pursue something but start doubting our capabilities, especially when nobody supports us or believes in us. This movie also shows how Remy overcomes his hesitancy and fulfills his dream. It’s a sure delight.

  1. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
A Fun movie to watch with kids is Charlie and the Chocolate Factory- With a perfect dose of comedy, songs, and magic, this movie teaches moral values- how our greediness can get us in trouble and being grateful for small things in life matters.

If your little ones want to experience the fantastical rollercoaster ride with chocolatey goodness, then Charlie and the Chocolate factory won’t disappoint them. It is a classic movie that follows a boy named Charlie who wins a contest and gets a chance to tour the magical candy-making factory of Willy Wonka.

 Although this movie has scenes that will make you burst into laughter, it also teaches some moral values like-

  • How one’s greediness can get them in trouble and
  • Being grateful for small things in life matters.

With a perfect dose of comedy, songs, and magic, this movie is for everyone.

  1. Up
A fun movie to watch with kids is- Up- 'Up' is a heartwarming and unforgettable movie that sends out the message ", You are never too old to live your dream." With adventure and comedy, this movie sets you off on an endearing beautiful journey.

“You are never too old to live your dream.”

‘Up’ is a heartwarming and unforgettable film that shows the life of a seventy-eight-year-old widower named Carl, who one day sets off on a lifelong journey; a journey that he once wanted to set out on with his late wife. An uninvited passenger named Russel, an eight-year-old boy, joins him as he ventures off, making Carl’s voyage completely different from what he had ever imagined.

With adventure and comedy, this movie also takes you along heart-touching moments that show the endearing bond between Carl and his wife Ellie and how she’s still alive in his memories even after her death.

  1. The Kids Are Alright
A fun sitcom to watch with kids is 'The Kids are Alright'. This sitcom shows the family dynamics that anyone can relate with.

A fantastic sitcom that shows the family dynamics that anyone can relate with. Each of its episodes revolves around a catholic family raising eight sons. Even though the cast is mega, each character has their own personality. One thing that makes it distinct from other family sitcoms is the way they discuss the sensitive topics and issues, making it a classic watch.

Today’s kids majorly think about mobile phones and social media as a source of enjoyment, but this sitcom describes a family that enjoys each other’s company more than anything in the world. ‘The Kids are Alright’ is a must-watch show.

  1. Baby’s Day Out
A fun movie to watch with kids is 'Baby's Day Out'. This movie has many laugh-out-loud scenes that will surely bring a smile to your child's face.

Baby’s Day Out is a movie that was made especially for children. This film revolves around a baby who has a great time with himself but gives a tough time to three thieves. Essentially, it is a story where a trio of kidnappers kidnaps a baby to get some money but soon find that the baby causes too much trouble for them to handle. Some of the scenes feel irrational, but the baby’s innocence and mischievous acts make those scenes enjoyable.

In a nutshell, this movie has many laugh-out-loud scenes that will surely bring a smile to your child’s face.

  1. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
Fun movie to watch with kids is 'Harry Potter'. Harry Potter is not just a movie; it is an emotion that opens the doors of the fantasy world for many kids.

It will not be wrong to say that Harry Potter is not just a movie; it is an emotion that opens the doors of the fantasy world for many kids. Based on the eight-novel series written by J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter is a story about a boy named Harry and his friends Ron and Hermione, who enter Hogwarts School to learn witchcraft. There they learn spells, uncover secrets, and develop a family bond with every member.

 This movie gave a new wing of creativity and imagination to many 90s kids. So, don’t be surprised if, after watching Harry Potter, your kid asks for a Hogwarts letter.

  1. Diary of A Wimpy Kid
A fun movie to watch with kids is Diary of a Wimpy Kid. It is an entertaining and light-hearted movie that presents meaningful discussions, ones that every parent must have with their children. Do watch this movie with your little ones!

Based on the bestselling book, ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid’ is a coming of age story about a boy named Greg who is a new entrant to middle school, but his bizarre personality makes his middle school life difficult. To attain the recognition and status that he feels he deserves, Greg devises an endless number of inevitable plans, all of which fail. And he pens all of them down on paper, in a journal. ‘Diary of A Wimpy Kid’ is a pretty entertaining movie that will make you and your children laugh and rekindle some good old memories.

Also, this movie presents meaningful discussions that every parent must have with their children. Do watch this movie with your little ones!

  1. Coco
A fun movie to watch with kids is 'Coco'. The movie 'Coco' has a heart touching story that unfolds magnificently to give you and your little ones a delightful experience. It has many comical characters and is an entertaining fun watch for kids and with kids.

A perfect Holiday movie for kids, Coco is a heart touching story that unfolds magnificently to give you and your little ones a delightful experience. It is about a boy named Miguel who aspires to become a musician. In his attic room, he listens to the Late Ernesto De La Cruz’s music and wants to become a famous musician like him, but his family is completely against his dream. One day Miguel tries to steal the guitar of Ernesto Del La Cruz from his grave, and in doing so, he finds himself in the land of the dead. There he finds many of his dead relatives and tries to figure out why his family thinks of music as a curse.

This movie has comical characters with a lot of surprises that make it appreciable among kids and is a perfect movie to be watched by one and all.

Ending Note

Movies and sitcoms mentioned above are available on different OTT platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney Hotstar. So, if you are ready to have some fun laughs and memorable moments with your little ones, give a shout out! Seize the above list!

Cheers! And have a happy time with your little ones!

And please don’t forget to share the movies you’ve watched during the holidays. We would like to give you a shout out too on our pages. Share share share!

Top 12 Activities to Engage Kids In During Long Summer Holidays

Posted on by Pallavi Prakash Kumar in Parenting
Blog on- Top 12 activities to engage kids during long summer holidays

Time is precious, and so are Holidays!

Holidays are an amazing period – to relax and to get refreshed. We all need breaks from our busy schedules and routines, and so do our children.

After a long and tedious routine of school and exams, children’s excitement and curiosity have already set in for the holidays which are waiting just around the corner. However, sometimes managing children’s free time becomes quite challenging and tough. To think of ways to keep children creatively engaged and active during their holidays to avoid boredom and them wasting time is quite an uphill task for many parents.

But, let me tell you this, getting bored is a good thing for children, and we must allow them the boredom space from time to time. Children not only learn how to manage their free time proactively by exploring ways to handle boredom in an efficient way, but they also develop independence and ownership of their own happiness and well-being.

Let us face it; whether one is an adult or a child, we all have been confronted with boredom at some point of time in our lives. We have almost always looked for ways to tackle it proactively and efficiently and the best part is – that we’ve mostly responded by doing something we genuinely enjoy doing e.g., invested ourselves in learning new things, returning to our favourite hobbies, or enhancing one’s creative skills. This helps in channelizing our energy and time productively.

For young children, urge them to listen to the audio story, “Jason Helps Out“. Children are sure to empathize with Jason and come to understand that they are not alone and will be able to learn how to utilize one’s own free time in doing something new, creative and useful. This story will help them take charge of their free time and respond to boredom with excitement.

The audio story 'Jason Helps out' allows children to empathize with Jason and come to understand they are not alone and then they will be able to take charge of their free time and respond to boredom with excitement.

One of the best practices that I know of is- to sit with our children and chart out their activities every morning and share the length of time they’re expected to engage with each activity on the list. This will assure them that they’re not on their own and will help them stay on activities/tasks more enthusiastically and happily, looking forward to each day with eager eyes. How to structure one’s own time is also important for them to learn so that they can eventually do it independently.

Returning to the topic, consider these top 12 activities to engage kids and keep their young minds creatively occupied and active during holidays.

Here goes…

  1. Play games
Playing games indoor or outdoor are essential for kids, it keeps them active, creative and enthusiastic. So, this is one of the engaging activities important for kids during holidays.

Fresh air and exercise are essential for children during holidays to be physically fit and healthy, else laziness will make its way in. Encourage them to go out and stretch. Pick their favourite outdoor activity- cycling, skating, swimming, basketball or simply play hide and seek with friends. Visiting nearby parks and having fun with equipment like slides, see-saw, merry-go-round, swings and kids’ gym are other good options.

Similarly, indoor games are fun and exciting to keep them mentally active. Go for playing board games with your children, remind them to solve jigsaw puzzles, or play Name-Place-Animal with siblings or friends by picking random letters of the alphabet.

Some classic childhood games that teach important life skills can be found here.

  1. Aim for ‘Recreational Reading’ time to inspire the love of reading.
Recreational reading helps children grow mentally, psychologically, and emotionally well. It also helps in increasing their vocabulary, concentration, attention span. So, this is another important engaging activity for kids during holidays.

Inculcate the habit of reading and help them make books their life-long friends!

Reading helps them grow mentally, psychologically and emotionally. It improves concentration and imagination power, enhances creativity, and improves language and vocabulary skills. Visit nearby libraries; read aloud book/s of their choice before bedtime –short picture books, graphic novels and comics or even academic books. Remember, every book is worth reading!

  1. Take a Walk in Nature
Nature trips relax the minds and promote observation skills in children. So, this is an important engaging activities for kids during summer holidays.

Move outdoors and immerse in the beauty of Mother Nature. Nature trips relax the minds and promote observation skills in children.

Choose a garden, riverside or explore the neighbourhood. Accompany your children in the mornings when it is peaceful and quiet all around. Feel the crisp air, walk on the green grass, hug tall trees and observe flowers blooming in the warmth of sunrise. Listen to birds’ melodious songs, and watch for bugs, animals, and flies.

The first thing that I like to do whenever we go out to any new place is, ask my child to list down (orally) 5 or 10 things he saw, heard and noticed around. With this approach, I have seen a child usually zooms in and becomes mindful of the surroundings he/she is in to appreciate the environment a little more. Try this with your little ones too and let me know if it was a helpful tip or not!

Alternatively, plan some evenings with your children to witness a scenic sunset and stargazing in the night sky to have a memorable experience of the natural world.

  1. Gardening
Gardening is a fun way for children to be innovative and to stay close to nature. So, engaging kids in Gardening is another best activity for them.

Gardening is a fun way for children to be innovative and to stay close to nature. Children like digging in the dirt and are happy to mess around in the mud and get all dirty!

Planting is an easy activity – and all you got to do is collect some seedlings, find a small patch of soil in the garden or arrange planters. Next, assist your children in planting some veggies or flowers; encourage them to water those plants every day and to notice how they grow. This activity teaches a part of Science- Plant growth and Photosynthesis.

Also, watering daily develops a sense of responsibility among children, and eating what they are growing gives them immense happiness and satisfaction.

So, keep time for gardening during the holidays. If you want to foster gardening as a lifelong therapeutic me-time with nature, then keep a window for it in your child’s daily planner!

  1. Sort out old toys and organize the room
Sorting out old toys and organizing the room helps in blocking out distractions. Children also feel more joyful and self-regulated when their room has a calm and pleasant ambience. So, engaging kids in sorting old toys and redoing the décor is a great activity for kids during holidays.

The bedroom plays a significant role for a child. It is that favourite and precious space in the whole house, where they dedicate maximum hours of a day. During holidays, if the family outing is not on the list, this part of the house becomes all the more important for children.

So, during vacation, encouraging them to sort old toys and donate what is no longer in use can help promote empathy, creativity and enthusiasm in them. Dusting off the photo frames and bookshelves; moving a table, a couch or a bed; rearranging the wardrobe can help block out distractions. Children feel more joyful and self-regulated when their room has a calm and pleasant ambience.

  1. Be a Chef and Don the Chef’s Hat
Cooking in the kitchen with adult supervision will teach kids the importance of hygiene and nutrition. So, don the chef's hat with your kids and engage in cold-cooking activities during the holidays.

There is something in cooking for all. And children too can try their skills as Chefs. Cooking in the kitchen with adult supervision will teach them the importance of hygiene and nutrition.

Begin with some easy stuff like fruit salad, milkshake, smoothie, fruit juices, making popsicles, cracking an egg or making sandwiches. This activity will boost their confidence once their dish is ready and enjoyed by all.

Dear Parents, keep calm and maintain patience as kitchen mess happens for sure. But children can be enrolled in clearing the clutter too!

  1. Learn New Skills
Investing holiday period in learning something new can help in tapping children's talent and assisting them in becoming more innovative and skilled. So, engage kids into learning something new, acquire new skills during holidays.

Vacations are great opportunities for children to learn new things. Investing this time in learning something new, one that interests and inspires them- like playing an instrument, some form of dance, fine arts, learning a new language or creative writing- can help in tapping their talent and assist them in becoming more innovative and skilled. Access YouTube channels, ‘how-to’ resources and other available online resources without investing more money.

  1. Go Crafty
One of the excellent ways to spend time during the holidays is doing arts and crafts. So, don't miss upon this opportunity for your kids during the long summer holidays. Go crafty!

One of the excellent ways to spend time during the holidays is doing arts and crafts. It goes well for all ages. Get those drawing sheets, paints, crayons, and sketch pens and turn on your child’s creativity and imagination in the artwork; get engaged with them. Those interested can indulge in jewellery making art using beads, wire and clasps. It gives a proud feeling to wear a piece created by oneself. Other forms of crafting include knitting, nail art, embroidery, papercraft and rock painting. Go Crafty!

  1. Water play
Water play offers an excellent sensory experience to children and adults alike. It also enhances gross motor skills and sensory exploration. So, do engage in Water Play therapeutic activities with your kids during the long summer holidays.

Water play offers an excellent sensory experience to children and adults alike. It also enhances gross motor skills and sensory exploration. Washing the family car or any vehicle, upcycling a plastic bottle and using it as a sprinkler, playing with water balloons and water guns, going out fishing, and swimming are a few water play therapeutic activities that offer lots of learning opportunities. Inflatable bathtubs are an excellent option to enjoy a calm bath at home or in the backyard.

Water activities are always energetic and entertaining. And it is an excellent way to have fun and stay cool! But avoid wasting water and encourage children to use it consciously!

  1. Create Vacation Journal and make memories
Creating vacation journal is one of the best activities for kids during holidays. So do encourage your kids in making one.

Children can engage themselves in writing their thoughts, ideas and experiences.

Ask your children to prepare a fancy scrapbook or Daily Journal and design it attractively using colourful stationery, stamps, smileys etc.

Help them express what they want to be, do, and have by making self-portraits. They can add or draw photos of special moments and write notes on them. Let this journal be a lovely memory for the future. Indulging children in such activities develops innovative skills, improves writing skills and brings out the hidden talent too.

  1. Listen to Audio stories
A well-paced narration and a comforting audio story with a moral message empower the young and impressionable minds in many ways. Make the most out of the opportunities listening to the audio stories during vacation and encourage your kids too.

A well-paced narration and a comforting audio story with a moral message empower the young and impressionable minds in many ways. Make the most out of the opportunities with the audio stories available online during vacation.

If you are wondering where you can encourage your children to listen to empowering yet entertaining audio stories. Well, well, audio stories curated with care, especially for little ones at ‘Storyland’ by ‘She Narrates’ are our recommendation! These are for free! So, make the best use of time with your little ones at ‘Storyland’.

  1. Spend time with Family
The greatest thing to do during long summer holidays is spending time with family and collecting those priceless moments and not the things.

The greatest pleasure of all is spending time with family. Collect those priceless moments and not the things. Go for picnics, camping and road trips. If not far, then opt for some close-by beach or garden. Visit a Zoo or Museum and explore the world.

Visit grandparents and other families and share stories over meals. Invite all cousins and aunts to your house and have a bash night. It is thrilling!

Plan a day for shopping. Watch movies together. If nothing, be at home and have a debating chat over snack time.

And finally!!

With these activities, I trust you’ll be able to chart along a daily schedule during children’s holidays efficiently and keep them engaged with fun-filled activities and add sparkles of joy, learning and entertainment. Capture and cherish the special moments. Activities mentioned above will surely bring contentment; feelings of time well-spent, making children also feel more revived to concentrate better when schools reopen.

Have a happy holiday! Cheers!

What is Problem-Solving And Importance of Imparting Problem-Solving Skills in Overall Child Development

Posted on by Pallavi Prakash Kumar in Parenting, Problem Solving in Young Kids
Blog on 'What is Problem-Solving And Importance of Imparting Problem-Solving Skills in Overall Child Development'

In today’s unpredictable world of accelerating changes, we are faced with challenges and problems every now and then. While education and qualifications prepare one for the job market, what really prepares a person for this world? Is it the nitty-gritty of routines, everyday tasks, puzzling relationships, or unexpected blockages? What do you think works in this messy mesh?

Having tons of questions about different things is common. In this backdrop, solving problems, understanding the facts, and a reasoning ability appears to be a skill that smoothens everyday living. Enhanced creative thinking in the direction of sorting out both routine and unimagined hackles helps.

So, what is problem-solving? What is the need of learning it consciously? Why suddenly such a thing has come into existence, and how does it work?

Problem creators are common, but problem solvers are very rare! So, let’s turn it all around for our children and us! Let’s embrace the skill of unlocking new and existing! Let’s learn what problem-solving skills are!

What is Problem-solving?

Definition of is Problem Solving- It simply refers to the process of finding a solution to a problem. A person uses his knowledge, experience and the information available to them to solve the problem/s. Therefore, problem-solving is related to the thought processes involved in finding a solution to a given problem. They can be simple or complex.

It simply refers to the process of finding a solution to a problem. A person uses his knowledge, experience and the information available to them to solve the problem/s. Therefore, problem-solving is related to the thought processes involved in finding a solution to a given problem. They may be as simple as knowing how to blow up a balloon or as complex as starting a second business.

Having problems is common, and it subsists with anyone and everyone. But solving in a way that they don’t drain us is an art and a skill. An art to come up with solution/s ensuring that the same problem doesn’t show up again, or even if it does, one can deal with it with the greatest ease. This art is known as problem-solving.

What are problem-solving skills? Problem-solving skills refer to specific thinking skills that a person employs when faced with a challenge. Some problems require the use of multiple skills like decision-making skills, fiscal management, negotiation skills, analytical skills (or more) to solve them, and simple ones may require only one or two skills.

Why do children need problem-solving skills early on?

Early childhood development sets the stage for an individual’s future learning, behaviour, and health. Early childhood experiences structure the brain and a child’s ability to learn, interact with others, and respond to daily challenges. Of all the other factors involved in the growth process, problem-solving is one of the most important aspects of a child’s development. Teaching and developing problem-solving skills early on trains a child’s brain to solve problems, create solutions and make faster and better decisions which thereby boosts a child’s confidence, improves their academic performance, and helps them become more resilient to handle complex challenges and make wise decisions as they mature.

Children who can solve their problems independently tend to be happier, more optimistic, and individualistic. They are not easily discouraged or heartbroken by unyielding situations. Thus, it is essential to start developing problem-solving mindsets and skills in children at a young age.

Significance of problem-solving in a child’s development

Importance of Problem solving in a child's development- 1) Problem-solving is a learnable skill and the beauty of learning anything in the early years is that it happens at a natural pace, in an effortless way. 2) Encouraging problem-solving skills in the growing years helps a child to feel equipped and more in control of their overwhelming emotions when faced with any challenge or a problem
  • Problem-solving is a learnable skill, but it cannot be developed instantly. Most of the learning takes place during the early formative years of a child. The benefits of early learning last a very long time, and the beauty of learning anything in the early years is that it happens at a natural pace, in an effortless way. It’s like learning to play an instrument or learning new words. A child’s play itself is full of opportunities that involve solving various tricky situations and finding solutions to problems.
  • Encouraging problem-solving skills in the growing years helps a child to feel equipped and more in control of their overwhelming emotions when faced with any challenge or a problem. Children with a problem-solving mindset are able to solve problem/s on their own; their minds are more active, productive and creatively occupied.

When problem-solving mindset is encouraged and kept in habit, it becomes an indispensable part of their personality. Children, if taught this skill, can deal with subjects with brilliant reasoning and are sure to excel. Consequently, their positive growth is assured as solutions come rapidly to their minds.

Can we teach Problem Solving to young children as young as 3-year-old and less?

The answer is yes, problem-solving can be taught to young children by exposing them to various creative challenges and situations; and through free play.

 You don’t necessarily sit with your 3-year-old child and talk to or “teach” them all about problem-solving. Instead, you would want to create an opportunity for your child to develop this skill. Thinking and finding a solution in your brain is a bit like training your muscles over and over. And eventually, your muscles become more robust and are able to handle more “weight” easily.

So, a child develops problem-solving skills in two ways:

  •  Incidentally – through free play
  • And through the guided creative opportunities you offer, as a parent 

Encouraging thinking through games and activities will help your child develop stronger skills than casually making things happen.

Wondering how young minds can practise problem-solving?

The answer is simple. This can be done by exposing children to more and more age-appropriate real-time situational challenges and solving multiple types of questions, puzzles, and reasoning (for more such ideas, follow the link here). Always start with the easy ones, as it helps in boosting their confidence and in generating interest. Gradually increase the level. 

What are the Steps to effective Problem-Solving That Can Help young kids?

Here are the 6 Steps to effective problem-solving for young kids:

6 Steps to effective problem-solving that can help young kids are: 1) Validate their emotions and let them relax 2) Identify the problem 3) Help generate solutions 4) Determine the benefits and drawbacks of each solution 5) Choose a solution 6) Give it a try
  1. Validate their emotions and let them relax

It is more important to validate a child’s emotions before engaging in any conversation or directly getting into problem-solving. Ask them how they feel or what they want before addressing the issue and defining the problem.

  1. Identify the problem

Now, engage in identifying and defining the problem politely to get your children’s attention. Allow them to look into the problem several times, without interrupting them while they’ve first been clearly introduced to the problem. Encourage them to solve it on their own.

  1. Help generate solutions

Let them come up with a bunch of possible solutions. If your child finds it difficult to come up with ideas, you can help them generate solutions by asking questions that stimulate brainstorming. Put across to them that even the silliest answer can be a possible solution, so they need to consider all possible solutions to the problem. And having multiple solutions always helps in choosing the best.

  1. Determine the benefits and drawbacks of each solution

Support your child in assessing potential positive and negative outcomes for each chosen solution.

  1. Choose a solution

Encourage your child to choose a solution after weighing the potential positive and negative outcomes.

  1. Give it a try

Ask them to apply the solution and see what happens. Allow them to develop and test out their ideas one by one to gauge what worked and what didn’t.

Is learning problem-solving in the early stage of life beneficial? In what ways?

Learning is a continuous process. This process starts right after we are born, and recent studies suggest that learning in a child starts happening even before that. Things settle as sharp and permanent in our minds when learned in the early formative years of our lives. What can be the reason? Well! ‘least distractions’ can be one. So more or less, the basics of any specific learning given in the earlier years of life to a child, as early as 6 months or starting at the age of 2 years, can become a permanent part of one’s life. 

Thus, problem-solving basics can be put in the minds of tiny tots to help them prepare for their future. Mind at that age is more like a clean slate; anything written on that slate for the first time will have its darkest impression. Building blocks, like & unlike patterns, identifying shapes and sounds, and having cognitive skills support them in picking up new skills. Thus helping to form the basis of problem-solving skills and a problem-solving mindset.

Promoting activities at home that help develop problem-solving skills in the early years of life will always be beneficial.       

To Conclude

Make the problem-solving process a fun one so that children can come up with brilliant solutions. This way, they will be able to view problems not as “Problems!” but as exciting challenges worth participating in and solving.

We parents need to encourage the problem-solving mindset in our little ones and promote independent problem-solving, early on.

Happy Parenting!

Credit note: All images have been designed on Canva

Classic Childhood Games That Teach Important Life Skills

Posted on by Pallavi Prakash Kumar in Parenting
Classic Childhood Games That Teach Important Life Skills

“Opportunities of learning are everywhere, even while playing games!”

The three primary activities that form a part of early childhood experiences unless the formal education starts are- Playing, Eating and Sleeping- the only three mindful affairs at least the 90s born can remember, isn’t it!

Play is the leading form of learning, and games are the natural need for children. We all know that games (whether traditional or contemporary) positively influence the upbringing and growth of each individual. And if you as a parent, also trust that play can raise and help a child thrive in unimaginable ways, you’ll easily relate that as childhood is the budding age for growth and learning, playing games can lay the ground for children to learn essential life skills in play-way spirits; whether it is for learning human relations skills, pre-academic skills, healthy humour or it is moral, emotional, physical and mental development in children.

For this simple reason, we as parents want to pass on our favourite childhood games to our offspring. The added benefits of learning through play are many. Read** on to discover how each game finely and secretly models real-world situations and helps children learn how to live and act naturally.

**Our excitement ended up making this blog a long one. If you, too, are excited and can’t wait to try one of these classics, you can enjoy the list of games and the benefits of each game via the creatives we have made with extra effort!

Here are some of the classic childhood games that teach children essential life skills in play-way spirits :

  1. Musical Chairs

 5 people. 4 chairs. Always one chair less than the people playing. As soon as the music stops, everyone rushes to get their seats. Who will be left out?

Musical Chairs: Classic Childhood Games That Teach Important Life Skills

Musical Chairs is one of the only games that teach children how to talk their way out of arguments. It teaches how to deal with the frustration of failure. Sharpening a child’s auditory skills is another perk. This game works on being happy for others and cheering them on from the sidelines. This game teaches a child how to be a cheerleader not only for others but also for oneself. 

Moreover, musical chairs can be played by all age groups.

2. Name, Place, Animal, Thing!

 A multiplayer paper-pen game. As the name of this game goes, all you need to do is make four columns on a paper and label the columns Name, Place, Animal, Thing. One of the player commands ‘Start’ and whoever completes the list first commands ‘Stop’. Now, who gets all the four columns (correctly) filled with the instructed letter of the alphabet in a row? 

Name, Place, Animal, Thing! - Classic Childhood Games That Teach Important Life Skills

Playing this with your child can have surprising results and definitely increase her concentration levels. Teaching phonics becomes easy; introducing ‘Noun’ to a 5-year young child feels effortless too. Other perks of this game are: vocabulary development for sure happens, but more amazingly, geography and map reading happens too. Eagerness to learn and memorise names of cities, towns to quickly fill the row with correct feeds also ensues, independent thinking, time management, and spelling advancement… all can happen leisurely in play-way spirit. 

3. Hide and Seek 

 A multiplayer game. 1 finder. Who will be caught first?

Hide and Seek is a game of rational thinking and patience. The finder has to think and memorise all the spots where the people could hide. At the same time, the hiders have to look for the best places to hide quietly, without making a sound. Patiently waiting is also an essential part of this game. 

Hide and Seek: Classic Childhood Games That Teach Important Life Skills

 In real life hostage situations, the hide and seek game can be re-enacted. This game definitely makes to the list of games that prepare a child to determine and manage undesirable situations.

4. Dumb Charades

 A multiplayer game, which can even be played among 2-3 people if the family is a nuclear one. 

No materials required. All you do is hum a song or enact a folktale/story you’ve just heard/read together or act out a portion from the documentary series on Netflix you and your family may have watched together. Ask the participants to name the song, or story or documentary! It’s a lot of fun. 

Dumb Charades: Classic Childhood Games That Teach Important Life Skills

The benefits of this game are many; to list a few, here we go. It helps in listening skills, concentration and memory, audio processing of a child, and mindfulness practices. 

5. Indoor Hopscotch 

A multiplayer game. You can make a Hopscotch board with masking tape on the floor. And then be ready to hop, jump and balance with your little one!

With variations like hopping on the even/odd numbers
or the count down 10 to 1,
or adding numbers and jumping on the resultant number
makes learning numbers fun

How about alphabet hopscotch for letter recognition?

Indoor Hopscotch: Classic Childhood Games That Teach Important Life Skills

Hoping, jumping, and balancing on one foot helps develop good gross motor muscles and provides exercise that children (and we!) need staying indoors. 

Psst! Gross motor movements keep everybody sane! Not only can Hopscotch keep the child physically strengthened, but also can help them learn numbers and letter recognition on a hop. It also supports decision making, positive relationship, self-regulation, patience and turn-taking skills.

6. Monopoly

28 properties. 3-8 players. Two dice. 1 board. Who will be the richest in the end?

Monopoly: Classic Childhood Games That Teach Important Life Skills

Monopoly (also known as a Business Game) is a contemporary game based on strategy and tactical skills, which helps a child with financial literacy, the most important in building 21st-century life skills. It is never early for a child to have financial skills and budgeting knowledge. It sharpens the mind of the young ones and teaches them monetary control. The feeling of being organised and having complete control of your assets is what Monopoly promotes.

 Currently, Monopoly has 1144 versions, fictional and real editions included. It is a must-have game.

7. Table Tennis

2 people. 1 table. 1 ball. Who will miss the shot first?

Table Tennis: Classic Childhood Games That Teach Important Life Skills

Table Tennis is an Olympic sport practised in schools and colleges, too. This indoor sport mainly focuses on hand-to-eye coordination and impulses. Being cautious and focusing on the ball are some of the other perks that later can be used. It helps fasten your impulses and to withdraw from the jump-away-from-the-ball-coming-towards-you impulse that people generally have.

Playing this with your child can have surprising results and definitely increase his concentration levels.

8. Rock! Paper! Scissors! 

A simple and interesting hand game usually played between two individuals in which the participants simultaneously outstretches one of the three shapes- rock (a closed fist), paper (a flat hand), scissors (we all know how! Victory sign with index and middle finger making a ‘V’ shape). The possible outcomes are only two: a draw or one of the participant wins.

Rock Paper Scissors: Classic Childhood Games That Teach Important Life Skills

This simple game helps in consciousness, concentration and control of the mind, identifying patterns and predicting the future behaviour of the player. For adults, this game can be 5 minutes’ de-stressor between work intervals.

9. Football

11 people in 2 teams each. 2 goal nets. 1 ball. Who will land a goal first?

 Football is one of the leading sports worldwide, which is making parents put their child into this rapidly growing field. Teamwork and sportsmanship are two of the main reasons why football makes it to this list. 

Football: Classic Childhood Games That Teach Important Life Skills

The intricate art of hand-to-leg coordination and anticipating your teammate’s move at any given time makes the players alert 24/7. Not only does it physically strengthen the child, but it also makes her learn how to play and dribble a ball to perfection.

10. A – Z Gratitude Game (our featured and most talked-about game)

Gratitude journaling and mindfulness practices help everyone sail well and bounce back, especially when the going gets tough. 

So, here’s a little about the game. Read the full blog here.

Name an object or a toy that begins with each letter of the English Alphabet: Starting from A till Z, ask the child to look around for all the toys, favourite and not so favourite objects/things/items present in and around the house. Sort of treasure hunt!

A - Z Gratitude Game: Classic Childhood Games That Teach Important Life Skills

‘A – Z Gratitude Game’ helps your child look for his long unattended toys, re-connect with the things she/he has, feel grateful for the things he already has. This game also aids in vocabulary development in young children.

Conclusion

Children are at home during the pandemic, and a child’s mental health is more important than academics at the moment, is what I feel. And what better than learning in play-way spirits for children can happen because we know learning opportunities are everywhere, even while playing games!

While many of the above games teach patience, perseverance, self-regulation and turn-taking, some games from the above list also teach about other facets of real-life secretly. And most of the games mentioned above can have variations and extensions and can be made age-appropriate.

Virtues and morals are essential for social skills development, helping a person act duly according to the situation. Aside from reading moral stories, these games form an integral part of the learning process, assisting children bond with peers and adults in a better way at the same time teaching them life skills.

Mentally and physically strengthening our young ones is one of the first steps to parenting. Inculcating values for life in children in their early life stages helps them later in life.

Pandemic has come as a gift of time when it comes to spending priceless bonding time with family members. Bonding over playtime is an activity that all age groups enjoy. So, why not make the most of this time to cherish it forever and re-experience the childhood days with children in a whole new episode.

So jet-set-go, grab a pen and paper, note down the games you can plan with your child next time they ask you to play, unless it is an outdoor game ‘Football’, if you have a spacious backyard, then why wait, go ahead!

Help them learn and grow into well-rounded human beings.

Thank you for reading, and have a happy, playful parenting!

A – Z Gratitude List

Posted on by Pallavi Prakash Kumar in Express Parenting, Gratitude, Indian Parenting, Narratives by Pallavi Prakash Kumar, Parenting, Reflections, Thanksgiving
A - Z Gratitude List

In the A-Z of life, it’s the little things that matter! That’s what Pratham’s gratitude list reminded me of!

The list is evolving ever since we started practising Gratitude this way, here’s one such list:

Pratham's Gratitude List from A - Z while playing A - Z Gratitude Game

This list would be an ever-evolving one. Some days we are only at A, B, C, D, E, the kids’ attention span as per Psychiatrist Colette Poole- Boykin is not more than ‘Kids age multiplied by 2 or 5 minutes’, the result approximates the amount of time the child can stay focused.

P.S. 1) Most of our list elements would speak more about cars and types of cars which my son owns at home.

2) Words starting with K, Q, U, Y and Z did not come to my son Pratham initially, so I introduced a few words to him and as he is learning phonics and sounds, so introducing new words seems easier for me.

Benefits of ‘A – Z Gratitude Game‘:

  1.  Parents and children, both are practising Gratitude in the company of one another. It helps them in building the bond stronger and also assists them with exercising the gratitude muscles. Just as physical exercise is important, so is gratitude practices for children and parent both.
  2. This further contributes to enhancing their vocabularies where more words can be introduced to the child in a play-way method.
  3. Early gratitude practices help in Self Discovery & the Personal Development of a child. With this, you are also teaching the kids about the sense of organs and body parts.

Thank you!

A – Z Gratitude Game

Posted on by Pallavi Prakash Kumar in Gratitude, Gratitude Game, Narratives by Pallavi Prakash Kumar, Parenting

It’s the little things that matter!

A - Z Gratitude Game- After all its the littlest of things that matter!

“The more grateful you are, the more things and reasons you get to be grateful for”- Louise Hay

Since Thanksgiving is around the corner, I decided to come up with this interesting yet meaningful activity for Pratham, my four-year-young child. The spirit of thanksgiving is all about celebrating gratitude and sharing. To inculcate the same spirit in him, I tried creating a game, our ‘A-Z Gratitude Game’!

This game is based on the magic words: ‘Thank you’ and ‘Welcome’. We have reminded the kids many times to say thank you when they receive the presents. We also have reminded them to say thank you when anyone compliments them. But have we reminded them to be thankful and be appreciative of what they already have! The initial stressful Covid-19 period got me into teaching my 4-year-young child gratitude practises and feel grateful for whatever he already has at home to play and enjoy.

My son is fond of cars. To illustrate his fondness for cars here are a few instances.

The Story of Pratham and his Cars! (Promise, we will come back to the gratitude game!)

To begin with … He sleeps with his toy cars, wakes up with them, talks to the cars, and even takes his bath with them. He enjoys reading books on cars and especially gives utmost importance to those books which have cars as the front/back cover. A car picture of any kind is enough to fascinate him flip the pages. He also weaves beautiful stories on cars, car traps, or car rescues. He mostly watches the car series or movies.

During the lockdown, we were not ordering or buying toys for him, especially during the peak infectious months, March to July. We bought him his first set of toy cars at the beginning week of August.

Touchwood! He had adaptively found creative ways out for his temptations. He also found out beautiful alternatives to calm off his pulls. He indulged himself in making some astonishing car contraptions and showdowns. He also made all sorts of car parts, its accessories like car-lift, car garage, car parking areas, car shades, etc. with his classic Lego sets.

He has cars of all sizes, types, colours… almost! Not to miss … a red car lounge also… his Ferrari for the sawari!

Being a keen-observer, his eyes are always set upon the numerous cars on the roads whenever he takes a walk outside the house. He observes every car and its elements in the car parking closely, especially the wheels, the colour of the radials, and the enormous headlights. He is only four, and he’d sit in a full flat footed-squat position to watch the wheels.

 If I get busy talking to someone while walking down the lane to my house, he will go missing. Now that I’ve learnt that he must be between cars, it is easy to locate him. But to those who don’t know what I am doing around the cars may think, I am deflating the tyres or encouraging my child to do so. Alas, I can’t help it! Nobody out there knows my child’s interest and his love for cars.

I remember, once we bought a Cars’ bedsheet and he would not let us spread the sheet on the bed. He rather chose to wrap the sheet around his body like a blanket to receive warmth and cuddle from the cars. This is what we felt from his gestures. Next day he woke up saying ‘Good Morning’ to the bedsheet, with a wide-bright smile, as if he slept peacefully in his “Car Wonderland.” Touchwood, he is blessed with a sound sleep like my husband! The activity of sleeping under the car bedsheet could last for three-four days only. As another day, I sneaked-in and kept it out of his sight for days to distract him. He is quite an adaptive child otherwise.

My son is a shy tot and usually takes two-three meetups or interactions to open to a new person unless it’s an authoritative figure for him, such as his teachers in the pre-primary. To his new teachers for the current academic year, I had to suggest a few ways of breaking the ice and bringing him to open up. It is either by asking him about his cars or praising his cars or allowing him to share a car story.

We also engage him in a decluttering practice for his toys or CARS. Every month, we buy him cars or toys which he likes or asks us for. He also receives full liberty from us to decide how many and the types. But on the other hand, we encourage him to give away the ones that he’s outgrown to or the ones he doesn’t like playing with to the underprivileged kids. We pack them aside and donate them once a year. One thing that I have observed is that when we give freedom to the kids to decide on the number of cars/toys they want, they choose better and wisely. With my experience, Pratham and other kids in my family they’ve never asked for more than one or two toys, maximum I would say.

That’s all for our story for the time being (we will explain the relevance ahead, stay tuned!), now let’s get back to the game!  

During the alarming Covid-19 strict period, gratitude journaling and mindfulness practice helped me sail well and bounce back when the old morbid thoughts, beliefs, or my own fears would throw in the towel. I was thinking to model the same to my child and teach him how to be thankful and appreciative of what he already has. Then, by the passing days, we devised this “A-Z Gratitude Game” to play in the morning after his breakfast.

And here’s how this game looks like (drumrolls!):

Name an object or a toy that begins with each letter of the English Alphabet: Starting from A till Z, ask the child to look around for all the toys, favourite and not so favourite objects/things/items present in and around the house. Sort of treasure hunt!

We can ask the child to share their thoughts first and later we can give our inputs with items in and around the house. Not just this, we can even let them know about their body parts- A beautiful way to inculcate the practice of Gratitude.

Sometimes, it’s quite challenging to keep through with the game till Z. One major reason is the attention span of the child. As he is only 4-years and to keep his pull-through till ‘Z’ is difficult, sometimes we run out of words, and sometimes the game becomes repetitive, so tweak it a little those days. But ‘A-Z Gratitude game’ definitely helps him learn a new word and look for his long-unattended toys. It keeps my gratitude practise continued with the added spice of fun. And the peace of keeping my son usefully occupied with the creative tangy ideas is a cherry on the cake.

So, here’s one of Pratham’s list for your reference. Also, read the benefits listed in the link.

Getting to know his list of things that he feels grateful for and so happy about, for a few moments took me aback in aww! His happiness is in the littlest of things, and isn’t that how life is supposed to be, ‘about the little things’! Sharing the above story of Pratham and his love for cars was my attempt to share his innocent take on the little things in life and how those matter to him. This game not only helped Pratham count on his blessings but also reminded me of such important learning of life and in my gratitude list, undoubtedly, Pratham tops!

So this was motivation enough for me to come up with a spin-off of this game, but this time a greater role for me! Knowing that children model their parents, I decided to thank Pratham by keeping a surprise note under his pillow- “a thanking note”, which we read together before going to bed. I tried writing at least one thing about how he made me feel thankful to him.

Here’s a few thank you notes written during the most stressful period of pandemic 2020:

1)         Thank you for being so patient.
2)         Thank you for being co-operative with me at work.
3)         Thank you for forgiving me when I raised my voice at you during your homework routine.
4)         Thank you for listening to Mumma when she reads you a story.
5)         Thank you for appreciating the meals Mumma prepared for you today.
6)         Thank you for noticing my frowned face today and asking me about it.
7)         Thank you for bringing a smile on everyone’s face by mimicking my sad face look

And this was it! This is our learning for Thanksgiving and beyond, and we have promised each other to celebrate the littlest of things!  Have we been successful in convincing you to make a similar promise with your little one? Do let us know!

Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Parenting!

Free Playtime for Children

Posted on by Pallavi Prakash Kumar in Child Development, Indian Parenting, Narratives by Pallavi Prakash Kumar, Parenting

Let their spirit be free!

Free play time for children Let their spirit be free!

We have all been there! That wait for the school bell to indicate the start of the games’ hour, completing the homework quickly so that we could rush out to play with friends in the evening, and asking our parents for ‘5 more minutes’ and that would never be it! But wasn’t it all so worth it?

Playtime is more than just games, it’s an experience. But are we as parents and caregivers letting our children enjoy this experience the same way?

With value being placed on test scores and not personal development, demand for academic readiness and success is taking away the joy of ‘free play’. We are letting ourselves continuously direct our children’s activities because we find that optimal, but what about the precious years of development we might be going negligent about, that are in reality critical?

Free playtime is strongly associated with- creative problem solving, deeper and stronger social skills, and enhanced cooperation and logical thinking

A variety of studies conducted using various different methodologies come to the same bold conclusion of a strong connection between play and creative problem solving, deeper and stronger social skills, and enhanced cooperation and logical thinking. Not only this, healthy playtime helps our little ones discover a sense of self and a feeling of control over little things that matter to them. Numerous health benefits are not unknown.

Studies support that preschoolers’ and schoolers’ screen-time with smart devices has increased tremendously over the years. Do we need more reason for increased cases of anxiety and depression, both reported and (more than often) unreported, among young adults?

Having said that, we want to address the fact that screen-time would be a new normal for various online learning activities as a by-product of developments going forth because of the COVID-19 pandemic. We will get accustomed to the shift in the mindset and the ease of learning changes by the time a strong medical armor is in place, which would be by the year 2021 or beyond.

We request you to not confuse playtime with guided play with coaches or that under your watch. We are concerned about free play!

Our congested urban cityscape has indeed taken away from the freedom of playing around. With the decline of open natural spaces like parks, we see a simultaneous rise in children’s amusement centers. Developments and transitions like these are beyond our control on an individual level. But there are somethings we need to acknowledge and keep the advantages of free play for our little ones intact!

PLAY: Playtime needs to be free, as free as it can be...

Playtime needs to be free: Let your children choose their play activities on their own. This not only makes them feel that they can take control but also helps them (and also gives you the opportunity) to learn about their interests.

PLAY: Let them be challenged and challenge themselves!

Let them be challenged and challenge themselves: Playtime can sometimes turn out to be challenging, physically due to frightening swings or at times minor injuries and socially due to a conflict with friends or finding it difficult to adjust. Your protective instincts as parents are justified, but it’s okay. Give them some time to learn to cope up with these emotions of fright, cooperation, and more. Encourage them to adjust and adapt. Allow them to self-soothe. They are learning!

PLAY: It is all about happiness after all. They are learning on their own.

All about happiness: Our children’s well-being and happiness, isn’t that what we are rooting for?
Let them be happy at this moment, let them find what makes them happy. Don’t let academics turn into a sphere related to pressure, there’s already a lot waiting for them! Yes, indeed, academics take a space on one’s resume at certain academic levels/academic transitional levels, but you know what takes more space and value? Skills, inter-personal skills! And if we let them play outdoors or simply play freely for an hour or two a day, we won’t have to ‘teach’ them these skills, they will ‘learn on their own’!

PLAY: Let them dive in joyously!

You know it!: Being a parent you know what’s best for your child and comparing to your childhood playtime and way, you will know if there’s something your child is missing on. Your protective instincts and concerns are valid with predators and bullies around and the academic notions in play. But you know it’s not helpful to let these take away from a child’s freedom. Let them dive in. If they fall, you will be right there, but let them stand up again on their own. They’ll be just fine!

If they have a fight, allow them to express the whole incident and resolve it on their own. Many times when they are narrating their entire experience, we may feel the urge to explain them or stop them but let them share all, how they are feeling, name their emotions… just listen patiently. We as parents feel hurt too when our children feel bad, and I have been there, but we got to keep up with our positive sport and remind ourselves of the quote from Abraham-Hicks teachings*. It takes time initially as they’ve had always been under our care most of the time in their beginning years, after birth. But as they grow up their access to the wider world would grow too. So, let’s start early with their free playtime and help them thoughtfully navigate the wider world.

I am closing this blog with a gentle reminder!

Free playtime is not an optional extra, it’s essential, and you know it! So we got to strike a balance between the screen-time, guided playtime and free playtime.

Don’t we at our current stage of life wish for something we could do for the sheer joy of it and not have something at stake and the fear to lose?

When our children play, it is not centered on winning a prize or any other aim, they play simply for the happiness they feel within! Can we ask for more?

*I leave you with the quote from Abraham-Hicks teachings:

‘Your child is naturally joyful. Your child is naturally tuned in to the Source Energy. And as he is diving through and digging through contrast, it is natural that there would be somethings that might disconnect him. Just don’t let his disconnection then inflame your disconnection.
Many parents have discovered that their children, for most part, feel good when they do – and the ornerier you are, usually the ornerier your children are.
They are a strong reflection of the way you are feeling much of the time.’

Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.


Happy, free and conscious parenting!

How to Select the Right Book for your Little One!

Posted on by Pallavi Prakash Kumar in Autumn Reads with She Narrates, Axel Scheffler, Early Reading, Education of a child, HarperCollins, Indian Parenting, Julia Donaldson, Narratives by Pallavi Prakash Kumar, Parenting, Penguin Kids
How to select the Right Book for your child by Pallavi Prakash Kumar at She Narrates

Let us read more
Let us read to the little ones more,
Let us inculcate the habit of reading
Let us gift the little ones the comfort of reading,
Let us all thrive
Let us all help the little ones thrive,
Celebrate, it’s Autumn, the season of pumpkin spice!

If you already don’t know, we are hosting Autumn Reads from 1-7 October as all the book-lovers across the world celebrate the Book Reading Week, 2020.
With Autumn Reads, we are inviting parents and caregivers to read to their children books for the entire week. If you have been connected with us for a while now then you know I am a mother to a 4-year-old, Pratham. 

For our book reading week, Pratham and I together have curated a list of books we will be reading. While designing the entire reading activity for him, I had in mind quite some dimensions. So if you want to join us for Autumn reads, or simply are looking for some suggestion on how to select the right book for your child, these are some of the things I had in mind and might help you curate yours:

  • Look Around for Inspiration: As the autumn season kicks in right in time with the World Book Reading Week, it inspired me to come up with Autumn Reads, signifying comfort reading. And Autumn Reads for me would be incomplete without a pumpkin story and to add to the momentum and the joy of reading in my little learner Pratham, Peppa one of his favourite cartoon character, in fact, the favourite character of almost all children including Pratham and me ☺, ‘Peppa’s Pumpkin Party’ was our first choice. So, just look around and you will find something you and your child can relate to!
  • Align with the Stage of Learning: Pratham is in his phonics building years, so any book that would stimulate his learning while he enjoys it would be a winner for me. ‘Anna Banana’ by Treehouse Tales written by Delyth Owen was our next pick. It has many consonant cluster/blending words and to reinforce his phonics learning (especially the grapheme-phoneme correspondence words). Treehouse Tales books- Oliver onion, Oriol orange, etc. are extremely useful and effective, I feel.
    Further to tap into the fun of Onomatopoeia Julia Donaldson’s (illustrated are by Axel Scheffler) book ‘A Squash and a Squeeze’ would be Pratham’s fifth book read, after ‘Room on the Broom’, ‘Charlie Cook’s Favorite Book’, ‘The Gruffalo Song and Other Songs’ and ‘The Snail and the Whale’.
    Look for what your child is currently learning and then find the books that complement his/her learning.
  • Go Straight to What They Already Love: Pratham’s love for animal and bird books is something I keep in mind before beginning with the book list curation. To name a few of his favourite animal and bird books are Bears, Tigers, Dogs, Owls, Toucans, and Pelicans. This time we have ‘Tiger’ by Nick Butterworth (@harpercollinsch) and ‘The Bumblebear’ by Nadia Shireen (@penguinkids @penguinrandomhouse), power-packed with colourful illustrations and creative narration. When our children already love an idea, a book on similar lines encourages their creativity and imagination many folds.
  • Include Daily-Life Lessons: One of the dietary requirements keeping in mind the little learners’ age, high protein is vital because kids on their feet, full of life are running around, jumping, playing, cycling, etc., so high protein is a must in the diet. I know you are wondering, how in the mid of the name of book lists, we are talking about high proteins! Because the theme for my next pick was to take Pratham one step closer to understanding the importance of a healthy nutritious diet. The next choice of the book in our bookshelf for Autumn is ‘Beans on Toast- The story of baked beans’ by Paul Dowling. And yes, Pratham likes beans, so to help him understand how it is sourced and how it comes to our plate in a story yet creative format, this was my pick for the reading week.
  • You can Never Go Wrong with Values: To encourage positive behaviour and moral values with the concept of invisible bucket my next book choice was ‘Have you filled a bucket today? – A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids’ by Carol McCloud. Along the lines of emotions and to encourage Pratham to express his feelings, be able to name his feelings, and associate with a colour, I am introducing ‘The Color Monster’ by Anna Llenas. ‘A Book of Hugs’ by Dave Ross to introduce him to various kinds of hugs there is. Let reading help you sow the seeds of positivity and good values!
  • Look for More Than Just Books: All books can form a basis for various fun learning activities beyond reading! Eric Carle’s ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’, one of the favourite books of all kids opted by young parents, is our pick also. I have planned a Lego creative activity for Pratham to be done after we’ve read the book. Activities like these double his excitement and help him remember and relate to characters and their stories for long!
  • A Power-Packed Book: Last but certainly not the least ‘The Wonderful Things You Will Be’ by Emily Winfield Martin would help me encourage thinking, listening skills and let his imagination run riot by asking some open-ended questions found in the cover page of the book “What will you grow up to be?”, “Will you tell a story that only you know?” and others mentioned in this book.

Learning needs to be fun and to encourage the love of books, consequently, the love of learning in my little learner, I curate books keeping in mind his interests first and then the activities that I can tailor the book reading time with, especially Lego building activity. I also look for ways to encourage his thinking and listening skills. Asking him open-ended questions helps him remain focused, which therefore helps in developing his concentration. I prefer storybooks because stories are the best way to kindle creativity, curious learning, build imagination, and create a natural curiosity about the wider world.

There’s one last tip, and probably the best one (save the best for last as they say!), team up with your little one while you choose the books. Let them take the lead if they are comfortable doing that. If they aren’t, then show them the book and ask questions and look at what they are naturally drawn towards. Building fun activities can be a fun activity itself!

Here’s the list of books for ‘Autumn Reads’ for Pratham:

  1. Tiger by Nick Butterworth
  2. Anna Banana from Treehouse Tales
  3. Beans on Toast: The story of baked beans by Paul Dowling
  4. A Book of Hugs by Dave Ross
  5. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
  6. A Squash and a Squeeze by Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler
  7. The Wonderful Things You Will Be by Emily Winfield Martin
  8. Have You Filled a Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud
  9. The Color Monster: a story about emotions by Anna Llenas
  10. Peppa’s Pumpkin Party

We await to see yours; Join us for Autumn Reads!
Happy Reading!

Fine Motor Skills Development

Posted on by Pallavi Prakash Kumar in Child Development, Fine motor skills, Fine motor skills activities, Indian Parenting, Lego, Narratives by Pallavi Prakash Kumar, Parenting, Reflections

The creation of a child from a single cell is magical, and so is the development of the complex human brain. But what aids the development of the human brain is rather a series of simple activities. 

The brain controls and facilitates the functioning of the entire body stimuli. So the development of our brain can be seen as a coding process whereby our brain learns various skills over time. One set of such skills is termed as ‘Fine Motor Skills’. Fine motor skills involve fine coordination between small muscles in our hands, wrists, fingers, feet, and toes to act in accordance with what we see. ‘Hand-eye coordination’ is a type of fine motor skills.  

Following are the six integral aspects of Fine Motor Skills:

● Agility
● Balance
● Coordination
● Power
● Reaction Time 
● Speed 

As we have highlighted above, the development of children’s fine motor skills can be boosted by some simple activities which are all about a fun learning experience. So the next time your child is tempted towards screen-time, try involving them in some of these fun activities instead!

Activity 1 – The Pulse Puzzle

The activity might sound like a tongue-twister, but it can be a great pastime activity, that involves absolutely no cost. Pick two distinct coloured pulses, say, the split Bengal gram and green gram, and add in beans like red kidney beans or the white-eyed peas. Mix them together in a bowl and your activity is ready. Now encourage your child to segregate them and put them into different bowls. The activity not only involves the act of picking and holding but also improves the child’s recognition skills with respect to colours and textures, and might even encourage them to eat pulses. Start with two pulses and then you can make your way up from there. 

Activity 2 – Lego

Lego building blocks are children’s absolute favourite (and adults’ too, honestly!). Turning, placing, and flipping the pieces support the development of fine-motor skills. And they also promote creativity and imagination as every Lego play hour is an opportunity to build and talk about something new altogether!

Activity 3 – Craft Fun

Often parents fear giving scissors to their children concerning over the sharp-edges. But now there are a variety of child-safe scissors (safety scissors) available in the market that are kid-friendly. Cutting and pasting activities are a perfect setup to build hand-eye coordination and boost to creativity is a bonus! Also, colouring and painting are great activities too. 

Activity 4 – Threading Beads

Threading beads can be a great activity to promote visual motor-skills. And you can always play around colours and types of beads that encourage children to come up with newer patterns. Also, it enhances children’s detail to attention. You can step-up the activity and play with variations. One such variation can be showing a pattern of threaded beads of different colours and asking your child to replicate the same. Playing around such variations can keep the freshness of the activity intact and boost your child’s retention. 

Little activities like these go a long way and strengthen the foundation of our children’s development. Also, it is important to incorporate these activities as a fun learning experience and not like a to-do-list activity. Our children learn everything at their pace. The ‘right-age’ or the ‘right-pace’ is a myth. Don’t let any of these viral ideas ruin your experience of parenting. 

To read about my parenting experience with my child on his fine motor skills and when it consciously started, visit the link here.

I prefer encouraging what my child is genuinely interested in (mainly Lego brick building) along with free-printable activities I receive from ‘Growing Hands-On Kids’ website by Heather Greutman. 

Happy Parenting!