Positive Mantra

Patience and tact besides understanding poor eating habits is the only way out to manage kids who don’t eat well. Here’s a handy guide to managing them. Parents are generally at their wit’s end in dealing with a poor eater at home. But child care specialists point out that there is nothing to worry. Every child has an in-born mechanism that knows how much food the child needs. Children with feeding problems do not suffer from malnutrition, although this sounds contrary to logic. So how do you deal with a child who makes you stand on your head for eating a morsel of food.

Eating should be fun
Mealtime should be filled with pleasure, not pressure. When the family sits down for dinner, take utmost care not to urge children to eat more. Stay relaxed although your parental instincts may cause worry about the thin girl sitting next to you. The child tends to build up resistance to eating, when constantly urged by concerned parents. Relax and let the child have what he wants. Don’t bother if he eats more vegetables and less of rice, as long as she is eating something.

Give what he wants
Every kid has his favorites, and your child certainly likes some dishes more than others. Try giving him what he loves, preferably wholesome food. But, do not go overboard in taking too much pain to prepare the eats. Always serve less than his appetite to ensure that, like Oliver Twist, he asks for more. Stuffing too much onto his paste develops a bad taste towards food. Even if you want him to eat a little more just ask, “would you like to have a second helping of this”, in a matter of fact way. Not with too much concern, which children are quick to spot and exploit.

Should the child be left alone to eat?
You must be careful not to make any sudden changes in the eating habits. If it is the family practice to watch TV or play music at dinner so it must be. If everyone eats together it must continue, unless you can’t stand the sight of him eating just two teaspoonful of rice. Even then leaving the table should be done tactfully, so he doesn’t think that there is loss of parental love. Just leave him to eat as much as possible. Remember, if he is hungry he’ll seek food. It may actually take days or weeks for the rights appetite to surface, but you must be patient then.

Continue reading "Handy Guide to Manage Poor Eating Habits in Kids" »

Posted by JayRaj at 09:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

"He can't keep up with the rest," is a common complaint. Although it needn't be taken too seriously, it must be investigated into. On the physical side, it may be due to poor eyesight, illness or fatigue. Otherwise it may mean fears, relationship problems, parental stress on studies, 'tough' teachers or any trouble en route to school.

The physical aspects Chronic illness in some children leaves them tired with little concentration on what's being taught, sometimes poor eyesight causes a child to lag behind in taking down notes from the board. Loss of hearing or lack of concentration are also common problems with school-going children.

Slow Memory Development

Surprisingly some children write 'p' for 'q' even at later stages of schooling. Words that are reversed also create problems. Ten for net. This isn't a major problem and should be handled with care by teachers and parents. Do not make the child feel inadequate because of this. Train him better. It's not that he is dull or unintelligent. You need to speak to the language teacher and get your child special attention. At home spend time with him teaching him better spelling. Unattended, these children may turn out be poor sellers, often misspelling even five letter words.

Continue reading "Solution for Children's School Going Problem" »

Posted by JayRaj at 07:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Your child will learn a lot from your behavior, choose how you want him to grow up.
Improving your personality has a bearing on the child.
Set an example and the child will follow suit.

Write down clearly how you’d want your son to be

At home
At work
At social life

Points to ponder

Character and values are vital to happiness in life
Attitude is key to success
Relationships are critical

Continue reading "Points to Ponder in Children’s Behavior Problems" »

Posted by JayRaj at 05:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Solution on Lying Problem

Let’s get it straight right away. All children lie or steal at some point of time. Only the frequency may vary. Parents needn’t worry if the child lies, but must take care to explain that one must always speak the truth. And by doing that the child’s parents can find a solution to the actual problem.

Every child must be taught that to lie isn’t accepted behavior. And if one wants to be loved and cared for, one must always speak the truth. Rigid rules and over expectant parents are often the cause for persistent lying in children. Its very difficult indeed for a child to confirm to every rule. So whenever he / she flouts a rule, he resorts to lying fearing a reprimand by the disciplinarian father. So it undoes what a parent actually wants of the child.

Its wise for parents not to confront the child, “Don’t lie. Tell me why did you lie….. will you lie again”. That’s a typical reaction of an overanxious parent. Do not instill guilt in the child over small matters. His character hasn’t been damaged because he lied once or twice. And the same time don’t let the child feel it isn’t wrong. Encourage him to express his actual problem. And in earnest see the solution. Just make him feel it’d be a lot better if he didn’t repeat that.

Some parents may laugh over an incident where the child lies. That could be a tragedy. Do not send wrong signals. Above all, you don’t lie to each other or to the child over anything. Speak the truth. Remember, the truth frees us all.

Continue reading "Best Solutions on Children's Behavior Problems" »

Posted by JayRaj at 02:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

1> When you want to argue with your spouse, do you...

A> Pick up a quarrel as soon as he comes home.
B> Wait for your child to go out to play or tuitions before discussing things.
C> Discuss problems even when the children are around.

2> When your spouse does something good, do you...

A> Seek a private moment to thank
B> Openly compliment at the dining table
C> Thank him in your heart.

Continue reading "Take a Test on Aims in Raising Your Child?" »

Posted by JayRaj at 05:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Give Enough Love.

The more you give, the more you get. True. Parents should shower affection. Not necessarily by buying things the kid loves. Or being with them all the time. But by being with them when they need you. Sharing your thoughts. Taking them out for a walk. Helping him clean his cycle. Perhaps, even cooking together.

Love binds the family together. It makes the child feel wanted. Consequently, the child does everything to get your approval. Love means overlooking faults, not criticizing, not being judgmental. It also means being caring, kind, generous and sympathetic.

But, you must express the feeling. The child must know you love him. Play, fondle, cuddle, kiss and let the child be all over you. Physical expression of love, though unapproved in many cultures, is essential.

Tell him the joy of having received a surprise card on your anniversary. Express the joy of having her in the family. Reward him for good behavior. And don't forget his birthdays.

Continue reading "Your Aims in Raising the Child." »

Posted by JayRaj at 06:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This will shape the child's relationship and attitude towards the opposite gender. A male chauvinist might make a strong impression on a boy that he ought to behave the same way with women in his life. While a devout mom might favourably impress her daughter. Treat you wife respectfully and with love and your child will do the same. Avoid arguments, atleast in front of children. Discuss issues before taking action. Express each other's positive traits openly when children are around. Compliment and encourage one another. Lend a helping hand. Do not let negative emotions be displayed. If the need be do it tactfully, sending the children out to play. Adult games shouldn't rub off on children. A mother should talk of the admirable qualities in her husband and vice versa even in the absence of the other.

Continue reading "Relationship with Spouse." »

Posted by JayRaj at 05:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Stop Comparing

You must understand that every child is unique. The genes are different. The family environment, the education, social circle, role models, lifestyle and habits vary. So are you reasonable in expecting your child to be like your neighbor's or friend's? If your neighbor's son scores top grades, your daughter could exhibit leadership qualities, be talented at sports or play the guitar like no child does. Why do you have to compare? Let the child be judged by what he does, not by what someone else achieves.

Comparison Breeds Contempt

Parents in their rush to keep up with Joneses of today, put a lot of unwanted pressure on children. The child, for them, is a reflection of their abilities, think parents. Loss of social standing on account of average performance of children is a constant worry. Parents hardly care about the abilities, interest and talent of children, pursuing their own agenda of raising a super-kid who makes them proud.

Continue reading "Child Care - Mistakes Most Parents Make." »

Posted by JayRaj at 06:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Choosing the right toy isn’t child’s play

Toys are important right from the first month. The tiny one can see and hear, so although he can’t hold or handle toys he is thrilled looking and listening to them. Anything colorful hung over the cot, or something that rattles will appeal to him. However, at this stage, the baby’s best ‘toys’ are the people around him and the variety of faces, sounds, sensations, which come with being picked up and held, are very stimulating to the child.

Are toys a substitute for personal involvement?

No, cuddling, talking, making sounds and playing peek-a-boo is far more vital to a child than any toy. But it is true that toys help develop a baby’s natural skills, hand – eye coordination and imagination.

Are some toys more educational than others?

Although all toys can be described as ‘educational’, to make the most of a child’s learning potential, the toys must be picked with an eye on his age. As a child grows, he needs a different set of challenges and so toys must be with the child’s abilities in mind.

When you step into a toy store, think of the ‘function’ of the toy for your child. The more versatile the better, since it can have a longer life than toys with just one function. Check out bricks, detachable pieces, constructions sets, see-and-make kits. Look for toys that have different functions for different age groups. In this way the toys can reappear later when the child reaches that stage.

Good examples of this are stacking kits, take apart and rebuild toys such as trucks, trailers or trains. Initially young babies enjoy the sound and sight of these. As they grow they begin to suck and finger them. When they’re about two years they begin putting the parts together.

Continue reading "Toys that Teach - Choosing right toy for Child." »

Posted by JayRaj at 12:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

How to get your child to read?

A> First, get him picture books.
B> Next, story books with lots of pictures.
C> Tell him a story and relate to him the details seen in pictures.
D> Narrate bedtime stories with dramatization.
E> Accompany him to the library.
F> Initially, let him read subjects he likes.
G> Then guide his reading.
H> A small library is a must.

Continue reading "How to Teach Your Child to Read?" »

Posted by JayRaj at 12:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The Joy of Reading
by KS Rajasekar

An uncle in the neighborhood stimulated my interest for books, when I was in fourth standard. Every Saturday he used to bring an Enid Blyton book. Sometimes the joy of books made me skip playing sessions. Today, I owe much of my knowledge of that uncle. Not all children ate as luck, which is why you should take your child into the world of books.

Begin by reading bedtime stories and you will soon see your child longing for the nights to come. Choose stories that have plenty of pictures, are about either children or animals. Open the book for them to see and relate to the characters in the book. Reading stirs up the child’s imagination, helps build up their vocabulary and enriches their understanding of the world around him.

Continue reading "Positive Habits for Children - The Joy of Reading" »

Posted by JayRaj at 01:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)