What's Your Identity?

One question that every parent or a teacher should ask herself, "Do the child have his own Identity?" Healthy Identities help children to know themselves better and reach the goal they want. Children reveal their identities as they make their own choice - choosing dress, colours, food, friends they associate with, activities they prefer, etc.

When children pick up activities in the class, teachers know the choice selection - some like drawing, some crafts or some kids prefer, reading. It is important to develop an emotional string with children and ask them questions on what they like - eg. games or drawing. You will find their reasons for choosing the activitiy. Listen to your child's ideas and support his choice without any judgement. Some children have complexes. Some are superior and some have inferiority complex. All needed is love and understanding. The child is not born with an Identity but the environment and especially, by observing, playing and working with others, older and younger than themselves, that they discover what they do and what they can do. It is a gradual process of embedding into the child, the cultural and moral, social values of parents' culture or influence and shaping by training offered by parents and teachers. Here's more you can find on Building Identitites on Scholastic and Kaboose and even through Kidsfreesouls Google Search here.

- ilaxi patel
Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for Kids with Resources for Parents and Teachers

Survey on Teens Internet Use

A study of OTX, Global consumer Research and consulting firm, tapped in 750 teens in the age group of 13-17 years and surveyed about their Internet use. The study found that teens are spending an average of 11.5 hours online, doing everything from instant messaging and visiting social networking sites to shopping and listening to music, but dispels myths that this group wants to do everything online. When asked a series of “would you rather” questions, teens chose reality over virtual reality in many aspects of their lives. Given the choice, teens prefer :real friends (91%) to online friends (9%), date someone from school (87%) over someone from the Internet (13%), and shop in a store (82%) to shop online (18%). Interestingly however, teens would rather get their locker vandalized (63%) than their homepage (37%), and IM a friend (54%) over calling (46%). 71% wants the Information from the Internet whereas 29% want to get information from traditional media like TV, magazines, or newspapers.

It is understood, teens with computers in their bedrooms are heavy users 24% (15 + hours per week) and many of them spend more online. 46% spend on clothing and accessories, 41% music, 30% books, 27% Electronics and 20% on DVDs.

I wonder, what would be the trends in other countries than US. However, it is observed, most of the people are surfing their way to Information, social networks, engaging in forums, emailing/forwarding or chats. Children over here are more into playing computer games and online game sites lure them to outsmart others as parents too feel the pride to say, "my child knows computers and is on internet". Children are not aware of the copyright laws and they copy and use original contents for classroom projects without schools even hardly paying any attention to this. Teachers often give 'kudos' to who surfs the best and makes the best project! Those children who cannot access computers lag behind. Amidst this are forgotten the net etiquettes and safety measures. Here's some tips on Google Official Blog on Online Child Safety Initiatives.

Btw, Homeschooling is a great going with the web and Google sites is one way for Homework Assignments to students. Here's Kidsfreesouls Homework Assignment pages and if you are a teacher, you too can make a free website like this one - quick and easy.

- ilaxi patel
Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for Kids with resources for parents and teachers

Googolopoly and also Games for Kids

Have you played the game of Monopoly or Business? If you are a child and want to play games, here's Kidsfreesouls 'For Kids' where you can find links to games sites. However, if you are an adult and especially a techie, here's the wonder game 'Googolopoly' by Box.net. Phil, the Graphic designer has put all his efforts to present the game in a pdf file which you can download here.

This is a game where you can rule on the Internet even if you're not in Mountain view. The goal of the game is to use the Google Share and buy as many properties you want on the web without landing in the deadpool and losing stock. The Google monster gobbles up and gather all world's Information. The properties you can buy are You Tube, Yahoo, Microsoft to name a few!

Click for Kids to surf cool links to games sites. Enjoy.

- ilaxi patel
Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for Kids with resources for parents and teachers

Doodle4google

Some time ago, I wrote on MSN in their Beta version of 'Contribute' where even you can submit your Contribution to MSN. You can find my few articles here as an MSN Contribute Author.
Here's on making children know their Financial Responsibilities. Parents need to demonstrate the value of money. Every parent need to follow the magic four words, "We can't afford it" - Too much pampering the child and getting everything he wants can lead to troubled child. Ultimately, this lead to Parent Stress, Kid Stress.

Btw, did you know of the Doodle 4 Google competition in US? Here's the link you may find interesting as children participated in reinventing Google's Homepage Logo around the theme 'What if...' and there were 16000 entries with a six grader, Grace Moon from California who won the contest. Her logo was placed on Google on May 22, 2008. If you've missed this, there's still the Lesson Resources for download and conduct an activity in the classroom. You can find 10 tips from the original Doodler Dennis whose video can be seen on Kidsfreesouls You Tube.

- ilaxi patel
Editor, http://www.kidsfreesouls.com/
Newspaper for Kids with Resources for parents and teachers

Beatles n music

Are you a fan of Beatles Group? The Beatles ever been my fav among the Oldies and here's the day when Paul MacCartney was born - 18th June 1942. The Band ever been so lovable and entertaining - I like Ringo Starr the most and got me all stacked up Beatles Album in my Audio Music Library. Here's the Official Beatles site if you are interested to know more.

Remember the song 'Obladi Oblada, sung by Beatles...You can find the same here on You Tube. Here's the Official You Tube channel too. Btw, you are listening to the Beatles number on the main page background on Kidsfreesouls. 'Hey Jude (in Kidsfreesouls you tube), Imagine, Let it be, Hard day's night and many more songs are my favorites and I am sure you will love to listen too. The song Imagine by John Lennon features on Kidsfreesouls Peace Lesson.

Creative teachers adopt Music in classrooms and I have used songs as a medium to encourage children to learn and speak English with fun and learn singing. I am sure all the past students must be still humming 'Yellow submarine' and Music is the speech of the angels. And everything in our environment has an impact on the health. This means music too! NIEHS includes this sing-along musicals. These music activities are very educational and so much fun.You can find Free Kids Music downloads here to CD write. Even Amazon.com has great Children music Page where you can listen to the preview of the songs and later make your buying selections. Here's the Rockosaurus Rex review of Rock Rhymes and keep watching this space for more music reviews here.

Here's an unupdated Kidsfreesouls Artist Page. However, you can find here, Kidsfreesouls Song page and the Grammar songs too. Enjoy.

- ilaxi patel
Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for Kids with Resources for Parents and Teachers

Henry Ford resource tools for classroom projects

Henry Ford founded the Ford Motor Company on 16th June. He created 'a car for the great multitude' and realised his vision with the invent of 'Ford T'. Be a part of the History as Henry Ford's innovation changed the face of US in the world.

Here's to be a part of celebrations at Henry Ford site. Find Resource tools for classroom Projects on Henry Ford - History, Lesson plans, Powerpoint projects and a lot more. Btw, this site is an individual, non-profit, educational organisation based in Michigan, US and in no way connected to the Fort Motor Company or the Ford Foundation. You can find more in detail on the Wiki here on Henry Ford.

Well, now that the schools have started and children are all set for the academic year, I am sure many of you must be following better reading and handwriting practices in the classroom and at home. Setting goal is also very important. I gave a sheet of stickers with blank space to write their goals and found the children enjoying on 'setting goals' - the very simple ones they wrote were, 'I will write neatly', 'I will read all my lessons before writing Ques-ans', 'I will be work hard to rank well', 'I will watch less tv', 'I will finish my homework and write neat', 'I will be more organised and not rely on my mom' - so many resolutions and their goal eventually was to rank well in the class, get more knowledge and be the best student.

Try this to bring about inner realisation with stickers for download and make a sticker sheet in the word doc or copy+paste from here in the word doc, make changes as you want and print the sheet. Here's more projects on the Kidsfreesouls Project Page.

- ilaxi patel
Editor, http://www.kidsfreesouls.com/
Newspaper for Kids with resources for Parents and Teachers

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all Dads! Check in the Kidsfreesouls 9 ways that help Dads to stand by Moms in bringing up kids gracefully and help them manage their workplace with positive rewarding experiences.

A Dad is the King of the Palace and what he says is always Right - Oh Really? Women of today will disagree and for sure, she's the Queen of the Kitchen and become a friend, philosopher and guide to Dads. Whatever - Parenting is always experiencing a Teamwork. A father's involvement always changes through all the seasons of parenting. From childhood to teenage freedom, boredom or career selections, a parental guidance is most required. Even for selecting a life partner!

Those who have read the article 'New Parental Concern:Dad a Role Model' in the first chapter of my book Guardian of Angels find the useful tips on how a Dad can stand by moms and pose to be a Role Model. If you have not yet picked my book, grab a copy NOW! Enjoy!

- ilaxi patel
Editor, http://www.kidsfreesouls.com/
Newspaper for Kids with resources for Parents and Teachers

The Innocent and beautiful have no enemy but time!

Born on 13th June 1865, W.B. Yeats quoted once, "The innocent and the beautiful, Have no enemy but time" - And rhymed in A Song, "Oh, who could have foretold that the heart grows old?" and another rhyme in Responsibilities, "In dreams begin Responsibility" - Meaningful rhymed verses! He believed in the supernatural and the All Soul's day calling of Ancestors, Yeats writes of the souls taking rebirths as animals, etc. It was William Butler Yeats who got the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1923. And it the famous Abbey Theatre formerly, the Irish Literary Theatre which was founded partly to support Irish nationalism by encouraging the writing and production of plays about Irish life. The theatre performed most of Yeat's 26 plays, and he served until his death as one of the directors who managed the institution.

Here's the Profile of Yeats and here's the Quotes page - Get the info in your Scrap Books!

- ilaxi patel
Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for Kids with Resources for parents and teachers

Amazon Author Blog

Have you visited my Amazon Author Blog? If not, here's my Author Blog on my 'Guardian of Angels' Book page. Btw, Make the Kids Listen and Children Talk Like You are two topics covered up in my book 'Guardian of Angels'. Conversation, in part, is self expression. All at its best, conversation means pooling of information, the sharing of interests, the bringing together of ideas. Many children shy away from conversation. They find trouble starting a topic for conversation or either fail to keep the conversation going. The real trouble-shooting spot is children need to be talked to. Parents or teachers need to take time off to make the kids listen to them and they too, listen to what children wish to express.

Here's seven tips to help a child or adults to be a good conversationalist on my Amazon syndicated blog. Enjoy.

- ilaxi patel
Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for Kids with Resources for Parents and Teachers

Build Pillars of Character

A child came to me and said, 'Our school van is now going to charge more' and when I asked the reason, it was a stunning reply. He said, the petrol and diesel charges have risen and President Bush is all behind the world economy! Gosh, how come the fifth standard child think this? Now, children do listen sharp and they learn from their surroundings.

"Speech is silvern, silence is gold" Children are found to immitate and they imbibe the values instilled in them by their elders. The primary schooling are the most important years when a child is influenced by his surroundings, intelligence, sight and so on.

Children are so innocent that they blur out the smallest talks to teachers that they overhear at home or even report to parents whatever they came across in the classroom. They need to be guided in the right direction on how to, whom to, where to Talk - What and keep them focused to their own goals and activities. As the school begins, here's on setting goals and following Handwriting - right way to write. Also be sure on how to cope with Homework hassles as many schools burden kids with Homework and lot of activities to go.

Here's to Make your Kids Listen with tips to Build the Pillars of Character and steps to ethical behavior.

- ilaxi patel
Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for Kids with Resources for Parents and Teachers

Kiss - Keep it simple stupid!

After a summer break, Schools begin with excitement as well as anxiety and stress for many children and parents alike. The syllabus is started in many schools but there's no sign of text books availability in the market. While many children still have the difficulty in mastering reading skills, some teachers have completed first lessons and given homework which leaves the child completely confused. I guess the beginning should really go with a Google Group teacher's suggestion of an acronym, "KISS" - Keep it simply stupid. Teachers can adopt innovative ideas at the start of the school and make learning fun. Encourage reading habits on daily basis in the classroom and even at home. Even follow up with a para handwriting practice everyday. This will help weaker children to learn faster.

Children normally have the general learning difficulties. Some of them fail to read the lessons. Some kids learn by listening, some by visually learning like reading and writing from the board or books whereas some children like practical learning. It is here where teachers and parents need to help the child to learn the lessons and adjust to teaching. Some kids are fast learners whereas some are branded as slow snail learners. What is required is to identify their weaker areas and diagnose their learning disabilities to apply strategies to combat difficulties.

Moreover, talk to the child. As a parent, it's not only a responsibility but also more communication - with the child and with the teacher too. Share the feelings and help to develop emotional intelligence in the child. Ask for views and listen to feelings without comments. Positive flow will lead to more understanding and bringing out the best in the child. Create a genius in your Kid and Encourage reading too. (articles in GOA)

- ilaxi patel
Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for Kids with Resources for Parents and Teachers

Back to school

Back to School - It's been the first day Back to school, for many children here in town. New books, new uniforms, New school bags and all eye-catching stationery. For the beginners, it's really the first steps and testing times for parents who get interviewed along with the children by the Educators. In process, this year, I found many young five year old taking specialized tuitions on how to appear for School Interview for admission! Children throw tantrums while at Interview or during the first day of school. It is necessary to know more on parenting and stop cheating the child while grappling with a million things to do also taking care of the toddler. It's few tricks that ensure parenting is smooth, easy and fun but the most of it, know on Childhood Development too. (Find this article in GOA)

Earlier, I read about Robert Fulghum's best seller “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.” He mentions of Life lessons to learn from the start which were: Wash your hands before you eat. Take a nap every afternoon. Don’t take things that aren’t yours. Clean up your own mess. Flush

The book has a famous poem: Most of what I really need to know about how to live and what to do and how to be I learned in Kindergarten... these are the things I learned: Share everything. Play fair. Don't hit people. Put things back where you found them. Clean up your own mess. Don't take things that aren't yours. Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody. Wash your hands before you eat. Flush. Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you. Live a balanced life--learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some. Take a nap every afternoon. When you go out into the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands, and stick together. Be aware of wonder.

Simple words of wisdom you call or call them manners. However, today Kindergarten is no longer the same but more a process of professionalism. The kids need to cope up with the curriculum set by the academicians. Many parents want their children to study academics instead of playing. On kindergarten, the National Association of Early Childhood Specialists in State Departments of Education Collaborative website has some teacher tested ways of learning. There are some good tips on Observing the Child at Preschool too.

Swagat Children Library opens Registration of yearly members from 12th june 2008 for children below 15 years. The kids enjoy 'Sit & Read' Once a week, round the year, Reading sessions with follow ups in Reading, Handwriting, Grammar, Narrating, Speech skills, Worksheets, Projects, Personality development, etc. Children who write 25 Book Reviews for stories read at the Library are given an Achievement Prize & Certificate at the end of year. Children residing anywhere in the world, can be Global Reading members of the Swagat Children (Kidsfreesouls) Library, details of which are available on Swagat Page.

- ilaxi patel
Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for kids with resources for Parents and Teachers

Thomas Mann

Thomas Mann, a German Nobel Prize Winning Author was born on 6th June 1875. He first published his novel "Buddenbrooks" at the age of 26, which went through fifty editions in German before it was translated in English in 1924. Later he published the Magic Mountain and Joseph in Egypt. Death in Venice, Royal Highness, In coming Victory of Democracy were his more interesting reads. In This War, he wrote on outbreak of European conflict and German Nazi power. He was however, known as Thomas Mann American and he preferred to be called an American as he had American citizenship and spent 15 years in US, later went to settle in Switzerland. (More profiles in Literature Pages)

Well, this day on 6th June, 1944 - the D Day invasion of Europe took place during World War II as allied forces stormed the beaches of Normandy, France. If you are interested in Lesson Plans for students on this, here is a link for the informative news piece in New York Times that you might like to explore. You can also find Daily Lesson Plan on events leading up to Berlin Airlift in American Global History. Also find a multimedia on Tempelhof Airport. Enjoy.

- ilaxi patel
Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for Kids with Resources for Parents and Teachers

WED

Down the memory lane, I dig into my past contents and precisely remember the warning I mentioned on Global warming and the rising of the seas. Come June 5, on World Environment day, every year we find the lurking dangers of Global warming and the print media as well as the online websites are all mentioning of the Environment day and how to celebrate the day.
The celebrations go on in many ways including street rallies, bicycles parades, green concerts, essay and poster competitions in schools, tree planting, recycling efforts, clean up campaigns and much many more events taking place. Even political attention to save environment is sort for. Well, WED (World Environment Day) was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972. WED is hosted every year on June 5 and UNEP (United Nations Environment Program) also create awareness of environment and enhance political attention and public action. The topic for World Environment day for 2007 was "Melting Ice - A Hot Topic?" During International Polar year, WED 2007 focus on the effects that climate might change is having on polar ecosystems and communities, on other Ice and snow covered areas of the world and the resulting global impacts. The 2008 WED topic cover the CO2 Kick the Habit - Towards Low Carbon Economy. Here's the WED Guides for June 5, 2008.

The CEE and many other Institutes are too active with the CO2 Kick the Habit to start doing simple things. (Read in news) Even the Premium fuels from Indian oil is calling people towards taking a pledge to conserve energy, use better fuels thereby being a part of lowering the carbon emissions. The Gujarat Government is all about committed to green ship recyling.
It's almost forgotten that with the Iraq War, the environmental consequences are facing threats of acid rain as well as respiratory and carcinogenic effects in humans accordingly. With the chemical and bio weapons with depleted Uranium (DU) causes lung cancer, kidney failure and many diseases. The burning oil wells has environmental problems and as oil is spilled in seas and ground, the hazard is yet to combat. Many more advance urban living is resulting to awareness on How to Mend the world.

Here's Earth Talk Questions of readers on Environmental concerns and Iraq War consequences and other problems. It says All.......Anyways, here are 77 ways on how you can save Environment. Promise to make a difference to the World! Save the Earth, Save Nature!

- ilaxi patel
Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for Kids with resources for Parents and Teachers

Aesops Fables at Swagat

Aesops Fables is the most widely read choice of kids. Remember the Fox and the Grapes, The Tortoise and the Hare and such tales that teach moral values to children? Stories do have the moral values and when we tell stories to children, oft we miss telling them to write a review. Children will not only learn how to write on their own but learn in process while they write the moral of the story. Here's to teach children on moral values with many stories.

Aesop was born on 4th June, a fantastic story-teller who lived in Greece. Aesop was a slave who lived mid-sixth century BC, in Ancient Greece.



The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse and The Dog in the Manger has been the favorite reads of the children at the Swagat Library. They are too fond of writing the book reviews of these Aesops fables as well as the Panchtantra. Well, if you are fond of the Aesops tales, sure you can find many more on the web on Kidsfreesouls fairyland Page - the tales are exclusive widgets by Laura Gibbs. You can find more on Aesop in the Wiki and the Pacific Link is widely surfed for the Aesops. You can listen to the audios here on this link too.

Enjoy the ageless and timeless wisdom of Aesop's fables - Get into the ocean of knowledge and dig in the hidden pearls and gems - Enjoy!

- ilaxi patel
Editor, http://www.kidsfreesouls.com/
Newspaper for Kids with Resources for Parents and Teachers

MP3 clips

Amazon introduces the MP3 clips widgets. So, now you have a way to go...Listen to the clips that lets you play the song samples from the Amazon's vast free catalogue over 5 million MP3. You can handpick the songs and albums you want or display the latest Bestsellers/New Releases from the music genre of your choice. And the best part is, you can promote your choice of music and earn as an affiliate while you do so.

My Space friends music on Amazon is now easier a recommend as a fan to other friends and family. They can quick preview the song samples of Rick Paul or Steven Cravis or Rockosaurus Rex - All My Space friends and add more to the list you want with simple click to join. You can add the widget if you are an Amazon Associates to your My Space, Facebook, Blogger, Wordpress and so on.

For Books, you can find the widget on My Book page here. Also My Book Library Read widget coming soon here on these pages too.



You can find the widget of Rick Paul, Rockosaurus and Steven Cravis song samples here.

- ilaxi patel
Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for kids with resources for parents and teachers

Video Games sparks creativity

Childhood days are full of fun. Days when all give you chocolates; when you can climb the stairs up and down, pick and count the leaves in the open, play hide and seek and a lot more with the games. Children today are tuned to television or playing games on computers. Video games are the in-craze and sites like Playstation.com; Yahoo.com; Sega.com; pokemon.com; x-box.com and many more offer games for children and adults as well. Here's for Kids on Kidsfreesouls - upcoming Resource page that list the best of the best to click and play.

Btw, Video games sparks in creativity as per the recent research done by Prof. S. Shyam Sundar, professor of film, video and media studies and Elizabeth Hutton, a student of Penn State. However, do playing violent video games make a person aggressive? It is observed that video games has been on rise but the violence is on decline. However, video games do affect emotions, behavior, attitude but don't books too, affect emotions?

Here's games and what to keep in mind while you choose games for kids to boost their creativity. If you've played any video game lately, send Kidsfreesouls your choice and review.

And here's Phoenix Mars lander beams back first images - news report in Google News.

- ilaxi patel
Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for Kids with Resources for Parents and Teachers

Google Logos & Arthur Conan Doyle

Here's Arthur Conan Doyle's Birthday Logo by Google - 2006! Dennis Hwang, (Hwang Jeong-mok - a Graphic Artist designs the Google Logos that you see on the Google Homepage from time to time.

Btw, have you read Sherlock Holmes? Arthur Conan Doyle once made a declaration that would impact the rest of his life. He stated his belief in Spiritualism. Could it be? The man who created the ever-logical Sherlock Holmes believed in ghosts?

Some time ago, a Swagat child picked up Sherlock Holmes while trying to read some detective series. She had never heard the name of Arthur Conan Doyle nor Sherlock holmes. So, she was a bit confused whether these were the two different characters. Eventually, she came to know it was Arthur Conan Doyle who was the creator of Sherlock Holmes, the world's best known detective. Holmes's adventure has been so exciting and delighted readers to shake their witty brains to solve crimes by an amazing use of reason and observation. Doyle wrote a story in 1983 in which Holmes was killed. But public demand forced Doyle to bring Holmes back to life in another story. Critic Christopher Morley said of Holmes, "Perhaps no fiction character ever created has become so charmingly real to his readers."

22nd May 1859, Arthur Conan Doyle was born and left behind footprints on the sands of time - Sherlock Holmes. Most of us are excited to read the Detective stories while we studied in 8th Grade and above. The James Hadley chase and Agatha Christie has ever been the popular reads. It is almost a surprise that children here, have not even read a single book of James Hadley Chase or Agatha Christie - quite obvious Sherlock Holmes mystery is far away. May be exceptions but reading is almost on the backseat and kids need to be encouraged for reading. Though the print newspapers recently mentioned of children in summer time, are hooked to reading and pick up Harry Potter, Nancy Drew, many other books but well, I am not convinced whether these children are really reading or not. Ask a child to write a review and we know the answer (simple one ' I can't write the review'), ask a child to narrate and blah, there's an excuse. ( I know but I can't really tell!).

So well, if you have read books and really want to prove your point, send reviews to kidsfreesouls. I have yet to make the Children Book reviews pages and we will add your reviews here. Maybe this Book Log will help you find to quick post your reviews and even keep your own Book reads Log. Enjoy.

- ilaxi patel
Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for Kids with Resources for Parents and Teachers