Hello Day - 21st November

Hello...November 21, 2012 is the 39th annual World Hello Day. Say hello to at least ten people on the day. By greeting others, the message is for personal communication to preserve peace. The event began in 1973 by Brian and Michael McCormack in response to the Yom Kippur War. Since then World Hello Day has been observed by people in 180 countries.

HELLO" – When we say this five lettered word, it’s the sound that makes a big difference. The voice is the power within you, the inner reflection of your soul. Voice has a special depth of thoughts and can influence your whole life as well as others.

Psychologists say, first impressions are correct 67% of the time. Touch the heart of the listener and they'll barely notice if your voice is less than mellifluous or if your hand gestures are a little too choppy. Monotonous speaker loses touch with her essential enthusiasm. A humorless speaker temporary lose touch with her essential joy and becomes a bore whereas a theoretical speaker lose touch with her humanity and reality. One need to be in perfect sync with the audience or a listener. Flat, forgettable and monotonous voice are no more the choice of listeners. The sound of your voice should arouse emotion, feelings and gut level reactions in other people. Positive voice influence makes a big difference. Never underestimate the power of your voice. People judge you by the way you speak! The tone of your voice is often revealing. 55% of the message is revealed with facial expressions, body language and gestures and 38% of the message reduce effectiveness due to flat or distracting, annoying and boring. 7% only counts for content deliverance. This is as per the research of UCLA study conducted by Dr. Albert Mehrabian. Distracting words are often those spoken 'like' - 'ummm' - 'aaah' - 'I mean' - the slang! 'Whatever' often is taken granted as the conversation is abrupt or put to end. This catch phrase makes the speaker sound as if she is shrugging off the conversation and discontinue the talk. A rudeness, verbal slang showing lack of interest. Yet people do go for such words and in sense, this is even taken as 'style' of speaking. A pause is the best option to correct this while speaking. A pause adds power and impact to the listener.
Quick tips: 

1. Warm up and use the power of your mind to shape your voice. entice, motivate and inspire.
2. Evaluate your voice with the tempo, rhythm and proper adjustments of vocal patterns and rate of speech. and avoid pronunciation and usage mistakes. These are the most common bloopers which tend to create a bad impression.
3. Banish non words that has verbal viruses and speak more smoothly.
(More on Hello Day)

When you say ‘Hello’ the sound is like tinkling bell. If you observe people talking, you can find the characteristics of the person which can master you with ‘mind reading’. Voice can get you hired or fired or promoted too. A voice can make friends or foes. A voice bring love back into your life and a voice can make your work loads lighter when you are on heights of your job and the work stress is higher.

Remembering Lionel Richie's song 'Hello' and I am sure, you will love to listen this song this day! (Watch below)

- ilaxi patel
Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com

Send Hello Card to at least to 10 people, including me:-) (freesoul@kidsfreesouls.com)

Facebook rolls great features for Children - I would like this photo removed because....

No more Bullying on FB ! Facebook rolls great features for Children - I would like this photo removed because....

Facebook introduced its Social Resolution — tools built into a number of Facebook products to help kids deal with bullying on their own on the site. These tools include a “report/remove” option on photos that walks kids through the motions of asking a friend to take an embarrassing picture down. 

Facebook has rolled out new features specifically for 13 and 14 year olds that help craft a message to friends when they’d like a photo taken down. You can click “report or remove tag” then “I would like this photo removed form Facebook because:” and then Facebook asks you to fill in a reason before you go on to the next screen. If you click, for instance, “I don’t like this photo,” it will ask you whether it’s a bad photo, embarrassing, shows inappropriate behavior, is offensive, or other. Then a message is written based on your answers for you to send to the “bully.”

Read on & BullyingTeen Safety

- ilaxi patel
Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Author of Guardian of Angels 

Resources for Kids - Great links

Plenty of Kids Resources are available Online. However, at Kidsfreesouls, here are some great Websites for Kids that I have come across. In fact, I have picked some Interesting websites and will be adding more from time to time.

Social networking sites are sometimes great concern for Kids privacy. Parental guidance becomes a choice for kids who follow the chosen sites for their online surfing. It is always not necessary to log to social networking site but together exploring kids sites is just fun and finding fruitful experience.

My recent observations with children who are active on Facebook and the parental concern who complain about their child's activity on web, call for Privacy matters that matter the most! Facebook is a great place for having fun time but at the same time, kids get into gossip with friends on chat. Though Facebook offers most extensive privacy control settings, it's suggested to focus on critical areas. Another unsafe approach of the kids is 'email accounts' and even getting deeper into playing games on certain games for kids websites. 

A parental guidance is required for younger children who even surf through the back doors of their rooms and even clubs. A helping hand and practical advice given to children make them understand and they choose Google and other search engines to find the sites for their fun and school projects. Sites that have Kids links and resources are too helpful here and should be explored. 

While you surf Kidsfreesouls Pages, find Resources for Kids and you will love to come back again for more. I have some hand-picked websites and will be adding more from time to time. 

- ilaxi patel

Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com

Newspaper for Kids 

Living Green - Story Project for Kids

Stories and they are fun - imaginative and leading to a fantasy world. "Once upon a time"....and "Happily ever after..." are the happy lines to begin and end. When kids come to the class, they pick up the colorful books and end up reading stories, comics and jokes. Later, they make their Book Journals and jot down all the fancy stories they've read. When encouraged, they narrate the stories in the language they know with the innocent gestures and start flaunting their ignorance and jumble up their own story sometimes.

Each generation has it's own charm. The tech savvy kids of today are no more confined to books nor they love to get engrossed in reading. The concentration breaks after several minutes and they opt for talks preferably willing to connect to you tube and watch a song or talk about facebook. Their thoughts have drifted more to visuals which is more preferred choice of most of the kids today. Television viewing is now shared with time accommodated for facebook and viewing their interesting videos online.

Kids at Swagat engage into Story Project every year during summer or when November Book Month is celebrated. This year, the Story Project is with a difference as Kids will explore their favorite video songs and video stories online. I am sure, you've visited the Fairyland Pages on Kidsfreesouls with Stories by Artie Knapp. Many kids have done the Story Project with Artie's stories. Here's how it goes:

1. Read the stories at Fairyland.

2. Also can read the stories at Stories with Grammar

3. Take a full size Scrap book/Drawing book.

4. Print a story sheet of Artie stories/grammar stories

5. Collect some stickers/story characters

6. In the Drawing book, make a colorful page with title 'Story Project'

7. Inside, write down 'Story Board' mentioning all the stories read.

8. Read the Artie/grammar story and paste the print out.

9. Draw and color the cover image of Artie Knapp's story that you've selected

10. Write the review and mention why you like/dislike the story and moral of the story. eg. There's a crocodile in the Pickle Jar story.

11. Paste stickers of the story characters

12. Mention guidelines from 'How to write a story' and try to write a para or two using imagination

13. Watch a story videos online. The one story video used by Swagat is "Living Green - A turtle's quest for a cleaner Planet"

14. Conclusion - Mention why Reading is important for all.

15. Credits - Thanks for the help while making the Project.

Artie's stories are favorite reads online and great picks for the Story Project. For the visuals, watch the story videos online - "Living Green - A turtle's quest for a cleaner Planet" Artie Knapp’s children’s book Living Green: A Turtle’s Quest for a Cleaner Planet is now available as a free video for kids through StoryCub.org. A shortlist finalist for the national 2012 Green Earth Book Award, Thurman the turtle is tired of seeing the land he loves cluttered with trash and decides to take action.

 "Living Green - A turtle's quest for a cleaner Planet" :Click here to watch through a direct link. 

Story telling is a gateway to the heart. When kids read, they sometimes fail to understand but when stories are told, they eagerly love to listen and drift their tiny minds to float to imaginative world. Stories influence the child and they learn the Moral Values . Read the stories aloud to kids and also find the trouble shooting areas on their reading habits. Make them read, write reviews, know the moral and find what part they like best and why.

- Fairy land Stories | Stories with Grammar | Comprehension stories | Fairy Quiz

Finally, if you're happy reading this blog post and visiting Kidsfreesouls.com, please do follow the NIE Tips on How to use Kidsfreesouls in classrooms. A special Certificate for being a Reading Member of Kidsfreesouls awaits just for "You"- Most Valuable Reader -Download and print here:-)

The Struggle within - Homework Hassles

Homework Hassles - The heck with tutions! School performance problems are barriers for growth and a stiff competition for many students. Homework can be the most frustrating problem for many students and parents. Stress makes way with parental interference, herd mentality and lack of school teaching techniques.

Too much of 'Involvement' of parents becomes 'Interference' - Helping kids to cope up becomes confronting and the child sooner or later becomes irresponsible if things are more managed by Parents. Most of time, we find parental influence with words like, "Have you finish..."Don't make spelling mistakes and forget to...", "When are you going to finish English (other subjects)...?" Maths and Science homework is done and there goes a round for other subjects with a nag around storming of words. On the other hand, parents go wild when the child keep saying,"Let me finish my Cartoon....Only ten minutes mom" or "I want to play now...will do my homework after dinner" - Excuses and they end up failing to complete their Homework or learn and follow up lessons !

Kids are smart but I gather Teenagers are Clever ! I've heard students saying, "I lost my book," "I forgot..." and "My stomach is paining" - Finally, comes Homework with tears or the report card comes with horrible grades. The need of the hour is, Children need to understand their responsibility and be accountable for their own work. Often, parents do their small chores like arranging their wardrobe, packing their school bag, etc.

The other day, while standing in my balcony, I spotted a mom carrying the bag of a 7th grade child and she happily hopped beside her excitedly talking and laughing. No, I didn't like the idea of a mom carrying the school bag every day while the child came home from school! The child isn't tired but she's not being made responsible for her attitude. Some time ago, I asked for a scrap book and the child answered, "My mom did not give me the book and the Worksheet file is also at home" - I wonder, why can't parents make Children more responsible for their work! Why the spoon feeding out of love which has negative effect?

In my class, I asked students about their routines after school. I found, children are almost stressed with activities and homework. Moreover, TV and FB - the craze is endless watching and hanging around at Facebook. Parents come and say, "She does not sit for homework till I sit with her" or "She hides and lie to us" and even moms saying, "So much of school work and than the extra activity class, she hardly gets time so sometimes, I help her with all answers and she finish it - "She's slow in writing, so I write for her.." All sorts of excuses and ways to pamper self and the child, I guess. Some child is going for tuition and so she has to go there too, some children go for music/drawing class, so she has to go there too...A herd mentality and follow for too many extra curricular activities end up stress - to the child and to the mom also.

We believe academic standards are upgraded but rather, it can be said that it is downgraded! Too much of work load, too much of confusion and too many assignments with no proper teaching in classroom. Children are losing their childhood and parents don't want their child to make errors! The more involvement in trying to be good parents, they are more anxious about the mistakes either they or the child might make. So, they entrust huge responsibility to prevent mistakes - socially, recreationally and academically and become more responsible parents. 

Parents need to teach the child to be 'Respectful' to themselves and other adults. To teach a child respect, parents must also expect obedience. This way, the respectful child pays attention in the class, is eager to please teachers and parents, is curious to know things, acquire information, participates, be work oriented, obeys and follow routines, rules and learning.

Parents need to stop hovering, dictating, checking, correcting, signing, protecting, threatening, pleading, promising, bribing and exasperating in the name of homework. Set up a framework of goals, help them to set up their daily routine Time-table. They don't need to orbit around the guests or waste their precious time in front of TV watching cartoons for longer time and TV serials meant for adults are just - No Way! Give the child a sense of value and worth. Teach them the important domestic skills and strengthen their self esteem. Support them, stand by them and follow the Back to School Pages with 15 rules for success to make best of school days, goals,handwriting and now, Guidelines to Homework Hassles.

Most of the parents have to navigate social, commercial and psychic pressures when children get older and face the teenage issues. Technology also contributes to the erosion of parental authority. Video games or creating their online identities, staying connected is a major concern for parents. Teen Safety is a major issue. To keep the Culture intact is hard and tough raising the children with more Kids having the Power with rising number of parents fighting the tendency to indulge and coddle them. 

So, stop the struggle - with lessons, with attitudes, with anxieties. Let kids be more responsible, more organized, strive to be perfect and an Achiever. In trying to reach the moon, stars are on the way. 

- ilaxi patel

Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com 

Newspaper for Kids 

Back to school series: Tips on Handwriting

Handwritten notes may soon be a thing of the past - And, it is so true that we are increasingly using tech gadgets to convey our messages. The research commissioned by online stationer Doc mail reveals that the average time since an adult last wrote by hand was 41 days. It also found that one in three of us has not had cause to write anything 'properly' for more than six months. 2000 respondents said, it's only scribbling on paper for some reason but mostly handwritten notes are faded trends. 50% in the online poll admitted that their handwriting had noticeably declined, with one in seven declaring they were 'ashamed' of their written word.

Well, most of the Parents who come to me often complain about their kid's handwriting. Started with scribbles and crayons, kids find pens, pencils and sketch pens to write cursive with the simple alphabet writing. Some love to write and some hate it. Teachers and moms often label their handwriting as 'messy', 'untidy', 'rubbish' and lower the self esteem of the child. Like 'Practice makes a man perfect', a little bit of encouragement and careful follow up can help a child to try to write better. First and foremost, the hold of the pencil needs to be right.  Correct way of holding the pen or pencil is resting to thumb, index and middle fingers. I find many kids holding the pencil wrong way and this is the habit they form later which is difficult to change the habit. Secondly, it is writing on the lines. Using a four lines or two lines book is ideal but with guidance to write between the two lines and in forward flow of writing in a slow pace. Once, the handwriting is formed, speed comes gradually. Another step is to take care that the child do not shoot force on pencil gripping the pencil tight and frequently breaking the pencil points. The cursive flow needs to be soft and flowing.

Quite often I find children writing messy but with a little help, in a couple of sessions, they love to write cursive writing and realize the difference themselves. Once they learn to write properly, they love writing and ask for more handwriting material in the classroom.

Well, Back to School series and here's on Handwriting and You. Indeed, handwriting needs a practice and with the tech age, writing is almost out like Reading is on back seat! White Boards in class will further make difference and with more kids hooked to computers and television, it is worth a thought to focus on kid's handwriting at the start. Whatever the use of computers and mobiles, kids have to read and write and not be dependent on keys and keyboards - so, better early that getting too late to realize the mistakes.

- ilaxi patel

Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com

Kids Newspaper

My Daddy is the Best - Happy Father's Day to all Dads round the world...

My Dad is the Bestest ! I overheard kids talking in the my classroom and wonder How much do Dads esp. Indian Dads stand by Moms to help her in bringing up kids gracefully. A helping hand in kitchen may not be into culture habit but quite obvious, today's generation need parental help in day to day chores.

Well, Here's a Certificate to evaluate Father Skills - Just download it, get the Dad fill up the form and have fun.

Also follow My Parents are the bestest article apart from Kidsfreesouls 9 Ways to help Moms in upbringing kids gracefully. And, Sing along for Kids ' My Daddy is the Best ' Lyrics for kids.

Happy Father's Day to all Dad - wherever you are - Just a quote for you "Wherever she is (wife) there is Eden" :-)

- ilaxi patel
Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com 

Back to School : 15 rules for success to make best of school days

It’s Back to School for kids again for many Free Souls. It is said "Don’t change with the change but Change before the change" and so, begin well to end well to trail behind the grudges against the educational system. The right way is a regular routine schedule avoiding Homework hassles by saying "I Can" and "I will" instead of relying on shoulders of others for help. Try it your way and you succeed. All a Free soul student needs is to decide and make up his mind to face the challenges ahead. Have fun, enjoy life and follow the simple 15 rules of success to make best of your school days.

Btw, reminds me of the movie 'Back to School' - Considered to be a top hilarious comedy movie of all time, it's fun loving businessman who enters College as a student himself to help his discouraged son dropping out. Rodney Dangerfield is at his best as Thornton Mellon who runs a men's store 'Tall and Fat.' The lines "I like teachers and if you do something wrong, they make you do it again' are memorable.

The role of Sally Kellerman is more subdued than usual playing Diane Turner, the English professor who, in a memorable scene, makes Rodney analyze the meaning of Dylan Thomas' famous poem, "Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night." Keith Gordon plays the role of the son.

Well, Back to School and it's remembering Sound of Music too. For now, explore Back to School Pages here and stay get focused with Goals = Dreams to get fulfilled.

- ilaxi patel
Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Kids Newspaper

GOAL SETTING - WISH LIST VS GOAL SETTING - Back to school series

Back to School and the excitement begins. Buying new books, stationary, uniform and shoes. Even making new connections, new teacher or maybe new school. As a parent, you are more worried about tuitions, handwriting issues or homework hassles.

However, as a parent, take some time to think 'out of the box' and know how Goal setting is important. Kids require to be 'Goal oriented.' Educate your kid to know the difference between 'wishing' and goal accomplishment. Learning how to set reasonable and attainable goals is a valuable lesson for students of all ages. Let them

undergo an interesting exercise. Help them divide their Wish List and Goal setting on a piece of paper. They can draw and color too. Kids can think of all their wishes - be it buying a video game or going to a restaurant. On the other side, help them to make their Goals - from charting specific steps to achieve goals. Either for classroom performance or sports - help kids to be disciplined and punctual. Make them aware of obstacles for achieving the goal so that they can be well prepared for the show. Time frame is very important and hence, deadlines also need to be set. Get the child set the date limit to finish the English course, then the math or just make a Time-table. It helps prioritize where and how time is allocated, making easy to perform the task. Once there is a deadline, the child is then ready to face the challenge managing time for work and play and thus, accomplish goal within the deadline. If the child is not good in Math, don’t encourage a child to set goal to bring A+ but be cool and relax, he will do fine with that extra time plan and efforts. 

Apart from Academic, parents can help kids to set Goals in Sports, personal goals, financial goals, relationships and on health. Often we find children scared to sleep alone or shabby their room. Setting personal goals will help them be organized. Financial goals will help them to save money to buy their own video game and know the value of money. Relationship goals will help the kids to be friendly with siblings or friends at school. Setting Health goals for kids means by all means control over the junk and the binge habits of overstuffing the food while watching tv and helping their to exercise or play outdoors.

Afterall, Expectations should not be beyond capacity of the child. And every parent or teacher need to know this. Be Practical and help face goal challenges together.

Find more about 'Target Goals - Goal setting Ingredients, goal setting method and goal challenges.

- ilaxi patel

Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com 

Helping kids to Make Connections - Back to School

John Watson, the American psychologists and father of Behaviorism sets down in his theory saying ‘Learning is conditioning.' The kid is to be motivated to be a Genius and this is where the ‘Temperament style’ of every kid needs a keen observation from the very start. Create a Genius in your child and you find all the answers to 'How' in this article. (In GOA)

Kids have their own dreams and aspirations. Know the child, support them and let them think creatively. Build a bridge of communication with the teacher as most of the hours, the teacher helps the child to learn and grow.

The child needs not only the love and affection from parents and teachers but also need to set their goals and fulfill them.

One thing really important for a child is Making connections. Children do make friends on their own but yet, a parental guiding help can add to his positive friendship :

1. Help the child to be friendly. Simply listening or talking, sharing and appreciating the other and even sharing alikeness - for a video game or a even an activity in class.
2. Help the child to compete - In the sense, master the skills the others have and admire. Be it playing a keyboard or guitar, playing sports or arts.
3. Avoid being negative and impulsive. Listen to the child on what he has to say of his friends rather than stop him and showing your distaste of his friend. He may strong feel of his friend that you don't, maybe.
4. Help the child to solve conflicts. Social skills are necessary as they can learn to settle themselves at times of disputes with others.
5. Don't involve in small arguments of children. If they go physical, take your stand. Let the kids work out on their own.
6. Let the kids practice co-operation and understand feelings of others.
7. Help the kids to share, care and be kind and gentle with friends.
8. Know your child's friends. Invite them for play, birthday celebrations, etc.
This way, a parent can know of how well your child's friends are and also learn from their positive ways to help your child set example. If your child has a bad friendship, it makes you alert to guide.

As for the teachers, it's the first few days to be like the acronym, "KISS" - Keep it Simple 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. Above all, routinely writing book reviews per week and making journals. Encourage them to write simple jot downs and you can make Kids Blogs with Google sites - a sure fire-way to lift up the spirit of the children.

Teachers can write 'welcome letters to children' and invite parents to describe their child by simply letting them jot down on 'Child Development Review' - some points to fill as below note:

Ed Desk Blog 

- ilaxi patel
Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com 

Stage Fright and you act simply Stupid!

Stage fright or performance anxiety is something that is very common among all of us and even children. Often, in school you may be asked to come up on stage and give a short speech or be a part in the debating team. But, if you find nervousness creeping in you, your hands would shake, voice falter and heart keeps pounding - chances are that you have a Stage Fright. Anyone who is participating in an activity that will bring them into close or direct contact with a small or large audience can experience stage fright. Often it happens, you are told to give a speech and words either roll out which goes out of topic sometimes or it's just you start fumbling for words.

May be, you are not scared of the Stage but it's a speech faltering. Whatever, the stage performance weakens.

A common phobia when most of the children have to perform on stage. All are not bold nor savvy to take control of the mind. And, there is the 'Stage Fright' - fear phobia and the mind goes blank making kids to forget what they have to speak or act! A shaky trembling and anxiety overcomes. Speech falters and words are at a loss. It is almost embarassing situation and it lets down with lower self esteem. The child often acts foolishly on the stage.

If you find yourself in such situation, never try and shun public performances altogether. This is a mistake. Stage fright is something that you need to overcome. But how? So, here we go:

More on Amazon 'Guardian of Angels' Blog

On Stage Fright

Walt Whitman and simple steps to teach poetry to kids

Poetry writing and it's not an easy task. Some School projects call for poetry writing assignment and parents end up trying to help the kids to create a poem! Parents often come to me and request that their kids learn to write poetry - Just because their poetry need to be selected and they have to recite at a Recitation competition or get it printed in the school magazine.

Learning to write poetry in two to four sessions is not a miracle. Kidsfreesouls suggest Poetry Soup Ideas and here's some simple steps.

Btw, Walt Whitman is one of my favourite poet whose poetry is idealistic and romantic - in rhymes and rhythm to thoughts. His prose has been realistic. His poems have often voiced for peace during the Civil War and what I like about the Poet is, every poem has something to say - so human and concerned with a message - which you will find in Comments on his work. This reveals the Poet's nature, emotions and kindness towards things he perceived. Here is the Profile and his works. The Poet was born on 31st May and sure will give you an insight to his poetry style of writing. Whitman said,

“I exist as I am, that is enough,
If no other in the world be aware I sit content,
And if each and all be aware I sit content.
One world is aware, and by the far the largest to me, and that is myself,
And whether I come to my own today or in ten thousand or ten million years,
I can cheerfully take it now, or with equal cheerfulness, I can wait.”
― Walt Whitman

And here's in memory of this great poet as Kidsfreesouls explore the Literature pages. You too, join me in my quest of knowledge. Enjoy.

- ilaxi patel

Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com 

Cartoon Fun in classroom

Earlier, I have held a class on 'Cartoon Learning' and got an amazing response with the 'Cartoon Project.' I have used the Cartoons as Critical thinking skill as well as a creative writing skills. I copy the cartoons to the power point slides and students visualize and discuss on the same. This focus on awareness, knowing the current happening topics and even act as Discussion starters and writing prompts.


This year, children at Swagat are all enjoying their vacations. However, I will be having a second session of Cartoon Learning and actually help the children to draw the cartoon faces and supportively, focus on communicating their ideas through art pictures and cartoons. Follow the tips online for Cartoon project. Also follow Cartoons in Classroom Slideshare and Cartoon Fun page for kids.     


- ilaxi patel
Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com 

Kids learnt How to write a Poem

Story telling is a gateway into the heart of a child and I'm sure many of the tiny toddlers would like to listen to a story before they sleep. We have a forthcoming Story telling sessions at Swagat. You can participate by sending your child's paintings/Posters related to stories like Hansel Gretel, Red Riding Hood, etc. for Pasteboard on Kidsfreesouls. Also find Story Projects at Fairyland and await a surprize for a new story coming soon on these pages ! Help children to read a story every day on Kidsfreesouls and encourage to write a review or just narrate the story. Here's on  How to write a Story

Btw, last 21st April, we had a Poetry session in the classroom. Tulsa wrote a wonderful poetry and wrote her blog here.

You can find Krishna's Poetry below. Krishna is in third class and was inspired to write a poem after learning How to write a Poem. Her mom Shridevi Harikrishnan writes, "Sending you a poetry that Krishna wrote after getting inspired of the poetry session at her all time favorite “Saturday Class”… I am feeling very very happy that my daughter is trying to write poems. The title also seems very wonderful…she was in fact sitting in the kitchen and near the exhaust fan, she saw two birds building a nest and she wrote an instant poem.. I don’t know what went through her mind.. Just felt like sharing it with you. I should say that I envy these kids as we never got a chance to go to such wonderful classes."

Here's Krishna's Poetry. I am sure, you will enjoy reading this:-)

The Bird Flies frrrrrrrrrr……….By Krishna

One day when I was sitting in my kitchen, getting bored,

I looked up and down, left and right,

I saw a bird building its nest…

Oh! I thought if I were a bird to fly fly fly up in the sky

Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! I thank you God for making me a girl

Though sometimes I feel if I were a bird….

Would I be happy or sad…. 

Archie Day - Last saturday in April

April 23 we recall Shakespeare Literature as we observe World Book and Copyright Day. This day, Unesco seeks to promote reading, publishing and the protection of intellectual property through copyright. On 23rd April, great personalities, Cervantes, Shakespeare and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega all died. It is also the date of birth or death of other prominent authors such as Maurice Druon, K.Laxness, Vladimir Nabokov, Josep Pla and Manuel Mejía Vallejo. The idea for this celebration originated in Catalonia where on 23 April, Saint George's Day, a rose is traditionally given as a gift for each book sold.

To mark the World Book and Copyright Day celebrations, every year, we have 'Archies Day' and Reading session (last saturday in April)  - open for all children at Swagat Children Library to promote Reading activities and enhance literacy skills. Here is How to write Poetry and How to write a Story and children can be encouraged to write on these lines as kids can be motivated to write Short Stories. Click for Projects on Literature and log on to Reading and Fairyland. Here are some Tips to Literature Learning too.


Follow my Book Guardian of Angels: A Practical Guide to Joyful Parenting. 


- ilaxi patel
Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com

Literacy and Creativity - in Summer Vacation

Literacy and Creativity - in Summer Vacation

Pic copyright : Kidsfreesouls.com (Kids Painting:Color Paste section)

Literacy in Summer Vacation can be a source of enjoyment. Parents and teachers often pester kids for ‘Reading’ as strong language and literacy skills are essential for children’s success in school and in life. Those parents who fail to encourage kids for reading and writing, often end up failure in school by the end of the primary grades. If the base is strong, the senior schooling finds way to effective learning and children can easier imbibe the notes with quality educative learning skills.

Swagat Children Library  introduces to creative, slow and steady progress with the required components of language and literacy that finds way with enhanced development as home-schooling finds way for motivation.

- Read more on Blog on Literacy and Creativity during Summer Vacation RELATED : Tips for Parents / Teachers to Help a child on How to be Creative

Also Swagat Children Library Page)

- ilaxi patel

Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com

Director - Swagat Children Library

Author of Guardian of Angels

Carry a Poem in your Pocket (Bag)

April is National Poetry Month 2012 - Time for 'Learning How to write a Poem and Tips to Memorize and recite a Poem' at Swagat Children Library.

Last year, children had a group session on jotting down all the rhyming words and had brilliant ideas to select their poetry writing subject. Each one came up with their own creation and 'carried a poetry in their pocket (bag)' to share with their parents and friends. Once again, the session 'Carry a Poetry in Your Pocket' is announced for 21st April followed by 'Archie Day' on the last Saturday of the month at Swagat Children Library. Children online can participate by sending your original poetry and follow the Poetry Learning Pages and How to write a Poem.  Also Follow Tips to Memorize and recite a Poem' and findInspirational Poets - The chosen ones on Kidsfreesouls.

Carry a Poetry in your Pocket (bag) and share your creations. You can even draw and paint your poem or pin up on your softboard - Sure, it will be fun as nothing ever is so exciting than imagination and when you write your poetry, your own wonderful creation will make them excited - Summer time is fun time and just as the school ends, here's creativity to flourish  the best. Kids can blog their poetry like Tulsa has done and here's Kids blogs with more poetry from their scrap books.

-ilaxi patel

Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com

Author of Guardian of Angels:A practical guide to Joyful Parenting

Follow my Poetry Page : http://www.kidsfreesouls.com/poetries.htm