Explore Valentine Pages - Kids Valentine Project

Come February and it's ever the month of Love - Valentine's Day. Ask kids and they love to sing "Papa, He Loves Mama, Mama, she Loves Papa" and ask about Valentine, I often found children shying away yet happy to say, "Happy Valentine' to teachers, friends or anybody who they are fond of. As teachers and parents, we fail to define the word 'Love' and elaborately explain to kids what these 4 letters mean or what it means to say the wonder three words 'I Love You' and really mean it.

Here's Kids Free souls eight ways the Sternberg psychological way to find what is Love! We all know what it's like to get "butterflies" when someone we are attracted to walks into a room, but how do we know when it's love and not simply an infatuation? Is it Crush? Infatuation? Love? Anyway, its definitely 'Mind Boggling or Mind Blowing'. We need to identify our weaker or sharp intuitions especially when it comes to loving people - our family, children and most important 'love of our life'. All one need to remember is ‘Smooth sailing Relationship’ with soft hearts but no broken relations if one got to stay happy, make happy, stay cool.

Surfing on the Internet highways, times are no longer as they use to be some few years ago. The ICQ, chat rooms, messengers etc. are more interactive and meaningful as people have now realized not to live in dream worlds. I did come across people who had crushes and love bytes out of the blue and ended up in few seconds or couple of days. It is here to know how to deal with situations and take control of Emotional Swich board.

Children are no exceptions. Especially, the teenagers. With safe Social networking places like Glubble and Habbo, children can now socially interact, have own family page, share photos, music and much more. What parents or teachers need is to guide them to know what is right and wrong - Teach them on topics like Valentine in a fun learning way and what Love means to different people in different ways and why it is important to understand feelings and relationships.

Surf the Valentine Pages and guide Children 'Learn and Fun' way on Valentine. Make them do simple Projects as listed here on the Projects Page - Drawing, coloring and making Posters is always Fun and they can simply let their heart flutter with joy. You can print the Valentine Project Poster and let this be their Cover page for the Project or even Pin Up in the classroom while conducting the Valentine session. It can be exciting and entertaining as children love hearts and sure, we can win their hearts much better and easier than any other, Isn't it? Enjoy and "Happy Valentine!"

Search for keywords 'Valentine day' 'valentine for kids' in kidsfreesouls Search here

- ilaxi patel
Editor, http://www.kidsfreesouls.com/
Newspaper for Kids

Internet Bus Project and Doodle 4 Google

India Internet Bus Project of Google Rolls on...

Making Life Simple and Easy to know the World wide web.The Internet-enabled bus will focus on the four themes - education, information, communication and entertainment. The Bus will be mobile in Tamil Nadu over the next month and a half to demonstrate how the Internet can make everyday tasks simple with tools like Google Search, Gmail, Google Maps and more. Here's the Map on the Internet Bus Project page.

Btw, Is your child a good artist and live in US? Here's the chance to enter into a Google Doodle 4 Google contest in the U.S. Google doodles are the special "dressed-up" logos that Google run on their homepage for holidays and other events, and Doodle 4 Google is an opportunity for one child to have his/her artwork displayed on their homepage as a doodle for hundreds of millions of people to see. This year's theme is "What I Wish for the World," and tap into not only children's creativity but also what they want their future to look like.

Find more details on Google Official Competition website. Even if your children cannot participate if they're in India, let them Wish for a Better World - Get them to write or paint and pin up in your School/home/club paste boards. Even you can send to Kidsfreesouls to add to Paste Board section.

- ilaxi patel
Editor, http://www.kidsfreesouls.com/
Newspaper for Kids

Watch the Last Year's Award ceremony:

Dental Hygiene Month - Calendar and Projects for February

February month is the month of Venus and Mars. Month of Valentine. It is also American Heart Month, Children Dental Health Month and Love your Pet Day and more on Literature profiles. Find the February event Calendar and Projects for kids here on Kidsfreesouls.

Pic - Getty Images in Kidsfreesouls Environment
As february is Dental Hygiene month, here's my permalink on Health Blog. I wonder, how can the younger kids and adults face the trauma of Dentist treatment? One culprit in food is Sugar to be blamed as far as eating habits are concerned. Other than sugar too, there are factors responsible.

When children are younger, early visit to the dentist is a good way to learn proper oral hygiene at an early age, including avoiding nighttime bottles or cups of formula or juice, proper tooth-brushing, and a diet that promotes good dental health. Normally, a child diet is overlooked as we pamper our kids and stuff them with a lot of binge food and the chocolates n cakes n all the sugary n creamy stuff.

I would recommend simple steps for kids :

1. Know your mouth - teeth are vulnerable to acid attacks and we need to limit the amount of time teeth is exposed to the acid produced by the bacteria in the mouth. Hence, keep teeth clean, eat less of the foods that bacteria proliferate and get to eat more food that has positive effects.

2. Right Food: I said sugar but than sugar alone is not the culprit too. Carbohydrated food forms acids which sets the scene for decay. Hence, to make neutral - bad to good - is to finish a carbohydrate rich food with piece of cheese or keep sugar free gums.

3. Good Dental care: major problem with children is brushing the teeth. Twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. It's necessary to clean between the teeth with dental floss once a day. No eating before bedtime as salivary flow decreases as we sleep. And visiting a dentist on regular intervals.

4. Eating habits: Frequency of eating should be reduced. We find children nibbling a snack or sipping a drink and parents providing all they can. Time between meals should be allowed for saliva to neutralize acids and repair the teeth. Even one need to avoid brushing teeth immediately ater acidic food like citrus fruits, etc. to allow time for remineralisation to occur.

5. Remember the plus and minus food: The moderate intake of cheese as cheedar and swiss cheese is fine. The neutral one's are protein foods as eggs, fish but the bad food for teeth are sweets, cookies, pasta - any form of sugar, even honey. Dried and canned fruit and juices and cold drinks with sugar contents are all no good for teeth. If taken, you need to care for oral health after consuming.

All is the need of the hour, is to take care of good care of teeth right from the younger age. Minimize the risk of Dental trauma and believe me, for kids, it's a 'Nightmare' just as adults face the pain.

You can find the Smile Calendar for February and more from ADA or even Download February Pet animal theme Calendar as 21st February is Pet Animal Day. Find the Calendar Events and Projects that kids may enjoy.

Btw, do you have Genius child and face Counselling issue with the child's attitude and behavior? Find Kidsfreesouls Team Crew answer in Counselling column and even read 'Create a Genius in your Child' in Mom Zone section.

- ilaxi patel
Editor, http://www.kidsfreesouls.com/
Newspaper for Kids
Author of Guardian of Angels

Stuttering/Stammering

Have you ever found yourself or people around you with Stuttering? A communication disorder with flow of speech broken with repetitions or prolongations. (eg. he-he-he said or thaaat way). Sometimes, there is a gap in-between words. Stuttering referred as Stammering is occurred due to varied reasons. Either Stuttering is in the family genetics, delayed development in childhood, brain deficiency or neurophysiology, fear complex and high lifestyles.

As researchers say, For 70 per cent left handers, the left hemisphere controls speech, just as it does in all but a few right handers. But for 15 percent of left handed persons, the right half of the brain controls speech. For the remaining 15 percent, speech is controlled by both right and left hemispheres. Stuttering may be more common among left handed males. One theory on a cause of stuttering is that in some left handed persons, the two hemispheres of the brain compete for control of speech. Also high testosterone levels in the male make boys react more strongly than girls to stress and perhaps causes the greater aggressiveness and hyper active at an early age. This can also be a factor in a greater frequency of left handedness, dyslexia and stuttering in boys.

It is learnt over 3 million Americans Stutter with majority in males. Most of them have the fillers like 'um' - 'er' - 'uh' thought sometimes, this is fashionable as style speech. In fact, dis-fluency includes hesitancy. We often find children in our classrooms with stressed facial muscles, struggling to narrate a story of while talking, repeating words or trying to find words and as we prompt them to speak, they find way to finish the sentence. The voice pitch raises or gets dim. Even fear grips them and they miss on words. Sometimes, parents or teachers lose the patience if stuttering increase and repeatedly and the child keeps on making efforts in vain.
Well, so what will you do to help your kids in classrooms or at home. Especially, with those children who are stuttering and have a fear syndrome with inferiority complex. Maybe, Kidsfreesouls tips may help:

1. First and foremost, slow and relax your own speech. Speak mild, polite and do not hurry with your own fluency. The child may fail to pick up faster what you say, as you think.

2. Dis-fluency is the result of stuttering. Give time. Give words. Give comfort. Give support.

3. Build the confidence. Encourage the child and stand by while he tries to speak - narrate the story or an incident. Get classroom debate and increase space. Get children involved and speak their mind, their way.

4. Build Self Esteem. Reassure and let the child reframe words. Show empathy, give hope. Instead of spanking or nagging, says words like 'I know you are trying..go on..Even I get stuck up with words'

5. Calm down expectations. Boys are boys and girls are girls. There is difference in brain connections. Seek new ways of seeing the brain.

6. Calm down Kid Stress. We often admit that kids too have stress. Too much of lessons to learn in class rooms, homework, peer group pressures, extra activities - all weigh stress for the mind to work faster round the clock. Let music fill their small world and paint their dreams at intervals. Children will respond faster when they are happy.

7. Finally, give them a cozy family lifestyle and a friendly classroom. Raised voices, fighting and bickering will fill them with fright and stuttering follows due to unhealthy environment.

Well, Artie Knapp, our Kidsfreesouls Children's Story Author (Fairyland), has launched his latest book 'Stuttering Stan Takes a Stand' - Stanley is like most squirrels: he loves nuts, climbing trees and playing with friends. But Stanley feels different from the other animals in his neighborhood, because he has a problem with words. Teased and bullied about his stuttering, Stanley refuses to let on that his feelings are being hurt, until one day he learns an important lesson from a new friend. Stuttering Stan Takes a Stand is published by the Division of Speech Pathology at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, which is the largest pediatric speech pathology program in the United States. You can read Author Artie Knapp's Interview on Speechpathology here.

Find Artie Knapp's stories here for classroom Projects here. Grab a copy of the book here:




- ilaxi patel
Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for kids
Author of Guardian of Angels:

'Abide with me' - Beating Retreat and Martyr's Day

The Republic day celebrations (26th Jan) are spectacular with ‘Beating Retreat’ at Vijay Chowk in New Delhi three days later on 29th January. The notes of ‘Abide with me’, favourite of Mahatma Gandhi is played by mass bands of armed forces with final retreat marking the end of Republic day celebrations. The bands of Army, Navy and Air Force play the traditional marching tunes.

Unfortunately, this year the Beating Retreat was cancelled due to the death of former President R Venkatraman. In 2001, due to Gujarat Earthquake, Beating Retreat was cancelled too.
Well, if you missed the notes of 'Abide with me', here's the lyrics and song to download. The song is written by Henry Lyte, a vicar who lived in the fishing village of Brixham Devon. He was dying of Tuberclosis and as he walked by the sea and heard the ebb and the flow of the tide and for the last time there, he watched the sun, he wrote the touching song.

Btw, 30th January is 'Martyr's Day' and on the occasion of Gandhi Nirman divas (Gandhiji's death day), Gujarat Vidhyapith students, staff and others have hosted a silent rally (Shantiyatra) from Gujarat Vidhyapith to Kocharab Ashram. Gujarat Philatelists Association is also hosting a three day All India Collectors Exhibition with special collection of stamps on Mahatma Gandhi. At the Sabarmati Ashram on 30th Jan evening, 'Prophet and the Poet play will be held which is about the exchange of letters between Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore.
Mahatma Gandhi lived at Gandhi Ashram from 1918 to 1930. He left with a pledge that we would not return till India became independent. On his return from South Africa, his first Ashram was established in Kochrab, Paldi in May 1915. Later shifted in June 1917 to open land on the banks of Sabarmati.

Till I update the news column, find Mahatma's Gandhi's page in Literature Profiles.

- ilaxi patel
Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for kids

Listen to Aishwarya - Allah tero Naam Lyrics

Aishwarya Majmudar singing at a show 'Chote Ustad'. You can even find more songs of this young Artist in You Tube. The fairy girl has a voice of a nightingale. Winning the 'Chote Ustad' competition was one of the most memorable moments of her life, and she told in an interview, "Amitabhji referred me as his ‘bahu’, was like an icing on the cake". Watch her sing and listen to her on You Tube.

Btw, here is the lyrics of the Prayer song 'Allah tero naam, Ishwar tero naam' - a Prayer song she sang at the opening function which I referred earlier.

allah tero naam ishwar tero naam (2)
sab ko sannmati de bhagwaan (2)
allah tero naamaa

aa aa....aa aa aa...aa aa aa

maangon ka sindoor na chhoote (2)
maa bahenon ki aas na toote (2)
deh binaadeh binaa bhatake na paran
sab ko sannmati de bhagwaanallah tero naamoh saare jag ke rakhwaale (2)
nirbal ko bal dene waale (2)
balwaanon kobalwaanon ko de de gynaansab ko sannmati de bhagwaanallah tero naam ishwar tero naam (2)
allah tero naam

Find the song on You Tube here. A song from the movie 'Hum Dono', the meaningful words request god to give light to mankind. At a time, when the world wants peace, faith can move mountains and so it should! . Let there be no killings nor war, Let there be no crime. Stop Crime, Stop children to be criminals - Build the Pillars of Character.

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

Jan 27, Lewis Caroll (Alice in Wonderland) Born. Find Literature and videos

27th January 1832 was the day when Charles Lutwidge Dodgson - (pen name Lewis Caroll) was born. A British Author, well known for her children's Literature was also a distinguished mathematician and logician who wrote several mathematical treatises as well as fiction and poetry, Lewis Carroll is best known as the creator of the classic children's novel Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.

What I find so noticeable is the Character. As Wiki refers, "The stammer has always been a potent part of the conceptions of Dodgson; it is part of the belief that he stammered only in adult company and was free and fluent with children, but there is no evidence to support this idea. Many children of his acquaintance remembered the stammer while many adults failed to notice it."

It is believed that Lewis caroll caricatured himself as the Dodo in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and find difficulty in pronouncing his last name.

Well, here's the profile of Lewis Caroll in Literature Index and you can Add the Profile to your Literature Scrap Book. If children have yet now started a Literature Profiles Scrap Book, here's a Project to start right away and get them to add "A Character a Month" and be Literature savvy. Just like me:-) Believe it, English Literature is endless learning and so is Internet - Information Super Highway! Enjoy!

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

Search for 'Alice in Wonderland' 'Alice in wonderland tim burton' 'alice in wonderland quotes' 'alice in wonderland party' 'videos on alice in wonderland' 'images on alice in wonderland' 'alice in wonderland on kidsfreesouls' in kidsfreesouls Search here

GCCI, Aishwarya, Tanvi Vyas and Minister Maya Kodnani at GCCI

Gujarat Chamber of Commerce inaugurated an "Exhibition of Products" Manufactured and Traded by Women Entrepreneurs. The Chief Guests were Dr. Mayaben Kodnani (Hon. Minister for Women and Child Welfare, Govt. of Gujarat), Ms. Tanvi Vyas, (Femina Miss India Earth-2008-2009) and Ms. Aishwarya Majmudar, (Winner-Amul Voice of India.)

Being 'International Girl Child Day' today (24th Jan), the Minister spoke on the various aspects to save girl child and focused on healthy moms for healthy child. She weighed stress on Literacy and was concerned that 40% girls were illiterate and more efforts can be made by educated people to devote their contribution to spread literacy. Tanvi Vyas aspired to be an Entrepreneur herself and make her place among the women who scale to top as Business women. She was inspired with the GCCI Business Women Entrepreneur who exhibited their talents and products at the venue.

GCCI Business women Chairperson Kalpana Amin welcomed the guests. Kalpana Amin who is an Artist with her Art Centre, 'Flo Art' in Vallabh Vidhyanagar where she makes Sculptures, Murals, Interior and Garden Decor. Being a successful Entrepreneur and amidst the circle of Think Tanks, she aims to inspire and encourage all the Women Entrepreneurs who participated in the Exhibition.

Aishwarya Majmudar, the young singing star from Ahmedabad who currently studies in X Grade in Delhi Public School, sang a prayer song (Allah tero naam, ishwar tero naam...) and awe-struck the Business women audience. Mentioning on Save Girl Child, she referred to serials like 'Balika Badhu' on how a girl suffers, she feels bad and awful. She wants to make difference and will try to do something for girls, women and bring a change in a system that hurts the self esteem with a gender bias. She felt that unless and until we do not bring a change in the lifestyle of women, we are underdeveloped nation. She hoped that every child gets the love of their parents irrespective of the gender and the parents do not kill girl child. She felt that girls are more ahead than boys and I feel so bad when I hear and see on news channels and media when injustice is done to girls.

Aishwarya's message to parents: Love your children and encourage them. Find their talents - whether music or arts or maybe academics. A parent's role is very important to shape the future of a child.

She opposed the Politicians and said, "Neta's always say, 'Do this, do that' but I would says, 'Be Independent' - not dependent. Work for the welfare of the nation and perform your duties to bring a change.

I have an opposite message for the song of 'Umrao Jaan' :
'Jo ab kiye ho data, aisa na ki jo,agle janam me mohe bitiya na ki jo.
(God, this time you have done, do not do this again, In my next birth, do not make me a girl)

Aishwarya tuned this to opposite:
Jo ab kiye ho data, aisa na ki jo,Har ek Janam me mohe, bitiya hi ki jo.
(God, this time you have done, do not do this again, In every birth, make me a girl only)

Here's Aishwarya's website.

Here's views related to her Achievement in an exclusive Kidsfreesouls Interview:

Kidsfreesouls: Aishwarya, how do you balance between your Music field and Education?Aishwarya: I Plan it wisely. I am on Homeschooling and get my notes. So, whenever I am free from music shows and interviews, I learn my lessons well. If my exams are in March, one month ahead, I will completely devote my time for education. Education is must and no compromise - both are equally important to me.

Kidsfreesouls : Who do you consider your Inspirational Role Model?
Aishwarya: First and foremost, My Parents. They have always stood beside me and motivated me. They have nurtured a genius in me and music being my talent, they encouraged me in this direction.

Kidsfreesouls: What are your views on social network and Internet?
Aishwarya: I am not against Social networking sites like Facebook or Orkut where my friends hang most of the time. However, I feel I am not interested in these things which even demands a lot of time. Instead, I opt for Information on the Internet. I like to download songs and go for Projects. Collecting pictures of animals and reptiles is my hobby and I have made an Album, a huge book I love to possess. I feel Internet has more Information and we can be imbibe knowledge and value education too.

Aishwarya's best friend Mudita Samir Shah had accompanied here and she gave a bouquet of flowers to raise her spirits. A very sweet, soft spoken Mudita caught attention as she spelt her charm too. And truly indeed, Aishwarya's Mom can proudly say the new Slogan 'My Daughter - Nation's Pride'.

Watch for the news on TV channels in the evening and in Google on 'Save Girl Child' Day and the GCCI Exhibition tomorrow in the morning print media newspapers in India.

I am sure, this note on 'My Daughter - Nation's Pride' (Save Girl Child) Day will inspire our Kidsfreesouls readers.

- ilaxi patel
Editor, http://www.kidsfreesouls.com/
Newspaper for Kids

Obama - Perfect Family!

As I watched the Inauguration of President Barrack Obama and the world reactions, it reminds me of these words on a card, often that I gaze, in front of my desk:

Believe in yourself, In the power you have to control your own life, day by day
Believe in the strength that you have deep inside and your faith will help you show the way.
Believe in tomorrow and what it will bring, Let a hopeful heart carry you through,For things will work out if you trust and believe
There's no limit to what you can do!
Whatever special challenges you face along life's way,
May you trust that you will always find the Best in Every Day!

Btw, here's my earlier note : How much do children know about Politics? Guide with Kidsfreesouls steps Barrack Hussein Obama : Change has come to America...

Well, here's the wonderful pics of Sasha and Malia that I came across and I am sure, you will like to watch the same. And here's the first speech of President Barrack Obama that itself is so inspiring and crystal clear that a Change will come and an era of Peace will prevail as he performs his task carrying the burden of the past and changing History with a promise for the future. However, as I mentioned earlier, here's Seven big Post-Election Questions which will consume politicians, strategists, pundits, and voters for the next few years.

Here's a poem that every child can learn and every parent need to follow the simple example of a 'Perfect family' like the Obama Family and here's on:

What Makes A Dad?

God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun,
The calm of a quiet sea,
The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle's flight,
The joy of a morning in spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need,
Then God combined these qualities
When there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete, And so, He called it ... Dad!

Being a Dad is boundless joy and enthusiasm and no 'only mother' role helps in gracefully upbringing children. You can find 9 ways that may help Dads stand by moms here, an article from 'Guardian of Angels' and here's 'Chicken Soup for the Soul, Cartoons for Dads - a 98% comics and 2% Quotations - Enjoy!

- ilaxi patel
Editor, http://www.kidsfreesouls.com/
Newspaper for Kids

Kite festival, music and Kids

Second day of Uttarayan and it's ever called 'Vasi Uttarayan'. However, I think, it's never Vasi (stale, old) because the festive spirit of Kite festival is so alive and enjoyable - to be on the terrace and fly kites, eat the sweet goodies and even tune in to loud music that vibrates the soul.

On the Terrace, as the music played - Hindi and English, the sound zoomed in from all directions with a remix of all. My attention caught to 'Blue' and this is an old group I am fond of. I use to visit 'Blue' website while my days in Sambhaav in 2001 while I worked as Online Editor there. I am sure, you will like to watch the videos, listen to the song and Sing Along 'Karaoke' too - Duncan, Lee, Simon, Anthony at http://tinyurl.com/8uumkq. Blue came with a Bang and are Best: read my Amazon review here: http://tinyurl.com/7ou6zj

Btw, here's Music and songs Page on Kidsfreesouls.

Music is the speech of the angels. It enhances learning, stimulates brain and promotes well being meditatively. As teachers, everyday we need to spring new ideas as we teach kids to read and write. Boring lessons almost make them less interested as the kids today are more in for play, music and computing. When kids have to copy textual answers in the classroom, they take lot of time to finish or even leave incomplete work. If they've to get to color fun or chat - even sing and dance - may of the slow learners are too quick to respond. Kids music comes in a variety but often, in Indian scenario, more popular stand, Hindi music. Children adopt what elders do and many younger kids are found humming songs with words improper for them. Instead, if music is sung with words full of meaning and learning values, children can enhance singing skills and learn moral values through music.

Well, as you can find a lot of tips in Moms Zone (parental zone), here's a review of Hi-five Music that use to appear on Pogo Channel. Grab a copy and I am sure, you will love my recommendation. Enjoy!



Let's Party with Hi-5!, 1,2,3,4 Hi-5 goes the Live Band of Kellie, Nathan, Tim, Kathleen and Charlie with their Theme song:Five in the air, Let's do it together, Five to the side,who cares about the weather?Five on the floor, The party's on at your placeFive to the front, There's a smile on my face!Ready or Not is the second playful song of Hide n seek with great lyrics by Leone carey. Love is a beautiful song with very good lyrics with feet tapping on the ground "L.O.V.E. I love you and you love me, that's the way it should be"All songs on this CD are great Fun. Hi-5 is my fav' show on TV and I never miss out any of its show and so when it comes to listening the CD, it's Fun singing and dancing with kids with the gift pack I recently received from my bro who been for vacation overseas. Hi-5 caters to wide range of younger kids focusing on their cognitive skills and learning flares. The five have refreshing ideas for kids as they action sing the songs emphasizing on different areas of 'intelligence' and bringing in awareness to the kid's world with:

*Language fun of stories, rhymes and games songs,
*Logical thinking and mathematical puzzles of shapes, mazes, patterns,
*Music fun with beat, rythm and melody, *Body moves such as jumping, hopping n the like,
*Exploring emotional areas through stories to enhance sociol skills etc.

Educational based songs Hi-5 are lively singing sensation that you fall in love with all of the Fabulous Five as they not only have a great voice but also expressions to match with. Tim is lovable and so is Nathan, Kathleen is fun and so is Charlie and Kellie! The Karaoke version is fun singing the lyrics along with It's Party, Love, Ready or not, Robot, Feel the Beat. Five senses, Charlie's ABC, Jump forward, So Many Animals are all great numbers for kids. It's merrier days again for adults who love kiddies music fun. Hi-5 do remind of songs like 'Time to be Happy' and 'Wear a great Big smile upon your Face' and so, if you love those songs, Hi-5 Album is just 'Ultimate' for kids and for All. It's Double the Fun, jumping n jive' with the happy ole days and make the kids merrier floating them free to grow up - free from the stress n burden of education for a change, free from the big bad world as they sing and dance with this Pick - At Home, in school or having fun Partying. A great Pick.

- ilaxi patel
Editor, http://www.kidsfreesouls.com/
Newspaper for Kids

Happy Uttarayan

If wishes were horses, beggars would ride
If dreams had wings, we can be Pegasus and fly.......

Life is a bundle of joys and sorrows. We have to cross the stormy seas, climb the rugged mountains and walk through the thickest shrubs. Sometimes what we say is that we dont do and what we dream is that we never get, what we think, we can never say and our wishes, hopes and concerns remain buried in our hearts. Let Uttarayan mark the day for writing messages on the kites. May our united wishes, hopes, concerns and super scoops of quotes be the menu for life, meaningful to all readers and touch the hearts somewhere. Let it stir the feelings within of cherished memories, faith and freedom for all Free souls.

Uttarayan - Kite Flying Day-Buggy Sports

- ilaxi patel
Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com

Don't Worry, Be Happy!

January 11 is all set for World Laughter Day as it was first started in Mumbai in 1998 to spread a Laughter Yoga Meditation. Plato once remarked, "Even the Gods love jokes" and sure, who doesn't? Koran says, "He deserves Paradise who makes his companions laugh." When children are born, most of them start crying but an angel child always begin life 'smiling' It is a rare thing but imagine, smile takes to miles and that's what we teach our child to live longer, live healthier as he smiles his way to grow gracefully.

Ever though, how do we teach a child to Laugh? Consider a thought and teaching children to laugh is the best way to lead them to Laughter meditation and build a healthy atmosphere around them. Laughter pulls down stress, anxiety, anger, grief or depression in adults too. Laughter has many benefits for children like:

1. Laughter makes children cheery
2. Laughter makes them more creative
3. Laughter helps children make good friends
4. Laughter is rejuvenating and regenerating as they learn their lessons
5. Laughter gives you a break from your conscious thoughts and help build confidence
6. Laughter opens their heart and they become more friendlier and good at heart
7. Laughter stimulates physical healing esp. when children are sick or suffering from pain

Normally, we find parents or teachers saying, "Stop, don't laugh. Be serious" - What we require is to teach them discipline but at the same time, teach them 'humor'. Lessons of life brings in bundles of joy to ourselves when we too, follow 'The Be (Happy) Attitudes and all the attitudes that transform life. If we say cheese to any strife saying, "I can choose to be happy - anyways" it brings a change to our Attitude as well as, changes attitude towards our children and family too. Here's Laugh Aloud Page with Jokes for children and Attitude page here. Also Be Happy Attitudes here. Here's a review of the Robert Schuller's Book which might help you to Be Happy and Laugh way to Life :




The Magic rules to Be Happy Attitude - Make a Difference!Review by ilaxi patel
(Find more in Amazon Book Reviews and Recommendation Page)

Robert Schuller's another Best Spiritual release drawing from the famous section of the Sermon on the Mount, the Bible tales. Rob emphasis on the eight positive mental attitudes that transforms life. Rob says 'Let faith flow freely...and you can climb the rugged mountains, cross the stormy seas and fly on high skies. This is one great book I possess which helps me easen up my spirits when things really fall apart. When mysteries of life encircle you to find the inner feeling 'How to be Happy' inspite of good health, wealth, friends, job satisfaction etc, its a bed side shelf book to peek into the 'Be Happy Attitudes' :

1. I need Help, I can't do it alone!
2. I'm really hurting but going to bounce back
3. I'm going to remain cool, calm and corrected
4. I really want to do the right thing
5. I'm going to treat others the way I want them to treat me
6. I've got to let faith flow freely through me
7. I'm going to be a bridge builder 8. I can choose to be happy, anway!

If you really want to read the 'right stuff' - adopt a 'Go for it' Attitude towards your life and dreams.

- ilaxi patel Editor, Kidsfreesouls.com
Author of Guardian of Angels: A practical guide to Joyful Parenting

Sun Sign Character Traits and number reading

Do you believe in Sun Signs? I just got an email today which you might find Interesting. However, I do not feel you need to forward to get those lucks! What is going to happen will happen and why good things happen to bad people? Maybe to make them better. Still you can try forwarding and let good luck knock your door!

Here the mail says:

VIRGO - The Perfectionist Dominant in relationships.. Conservative. Always wants the last word. Argumentative. Worries. Very smart. Dislikes noise and chaos. Eager. Hardworking. Loyal. Beautiful. Easy to talk to. Hard to please. Harsh. Practical and very fussy. Often shy. Pessimistic. 7 years of bad luck if you do not forward.

SCORPIO - The Intense One Very energetic. Intelligent. Can be jealous and/or possessive. Hardworking. Great kisser. Can become obsessive or secretive. Holds grudges. Attractive. Determined. Loves being in long relationships. Talkative. Romantic. Can be self-centered at times. Passionate and Emotional.
4 years of bad luck if you do not forward.

LIBRA - The Harmonizer Nice to everyone they meet. Can't make up their mind. Have own unique appeal. Creative, energetic, and very social. Hates to be alone. Peaceful, generous. Very loving and beautiful. Flirtatious. Give in too easily. Procrastinators. Very gullible.
9 years of bad luck if you do not forward.

ARIES - The Daredevil Energetic. Adventurous and spontaneous. Confident and enthusiastic. Fun. Loves a challenge... EXTREMELY impatient. Sometimes selfish. Short fuse. (Easily angered.) Lively, passionate, and sharp wit. Outgoing. Lose interest quickly - easily bored. Egotistical. Courageous and assertive. Tends to be physical and athletic.
16 years of bad luck if you do not forward.

AQUARIUS - The Sweetheart Optimistic and honest. Sweet personality. Very independent. Inventive and intelligent. Friendly and loyal. Can seem unemotional. Can be a bit rebellious. Very stubborn, but original and unique Attractive on the inside and out. Eccentric personality.
11 years of bad luck if you do not forward.

GEMINI - The Chatterbox Smart and witty. Outgoing, very chatty. Lively, energetic. Adaptable but needs to express themselves. Argumentative and outspoken. Likes change. Versatile. Busy, sometimes nervous and tense. Gossips. May seem superficial or inconsistent, but is only changeable. Beautiful physically and mentally.
5 years of bad luck if you do not forward.

LEO - The Boss Very organized. Need order in their lives - like being in control. Like boundaries. Tend to take over everything. Bossy. Like to help others. Social and outgoing. Extroverted. Generous, warm-hearted. Sensitive. Creative energy. Full of themselves. Loving. Doing the right thing is important to Leos. Attractive.
13 years of bad luck if you do not ?forward.

CANCER - The Protector Moody, emotional. May be shy. Very loving and caring. Pretty/handsome. Excellent partners for life. Protective. Inventive and imaginative. Cautious. Touchy-feely kind of person. Needs love from others. Easily hurt, but sympathetic.
16 years of bad luck if you do not forward.

PISCES - The Dreamer Generous, kind, and thoughtful. Very creative and imaginative. May become secretive and vague. Sensitive. Don't like details Dreamy and unrealistic. Sympathetic and loving. Kind. Unselfish. Good kisser. Beautiful.
8 years of bad luck if you do not forward.

CAPRICORN - The Go-Getter Patient and wise. Practical and rigid. Ambitious. Tends to be good-looking. Humorous and ?funny. Can be a bit shy and reserved. Often pessimists. Capricorns tend to act before they think and can be unfriendly y at times. Hold grudges. Like competition. Get what they want.
20 years of bad luck if you do not forward.

TAURUS - The Enduring One Charming but aggressive. Can come off as boring, but they are not. Hard workers. Warm-hearted. Strong, has endurance. Solid beings who are stable and secure in their ways. Not looking for shortcuts. Take pride in their beauty. Patient and reliable. Make great friends and give good advice. Loving and kind. Loves hard - passionate. Express themselves emotionally. Prone to ferocious temper-tantrums. Determined. Indulge themselves often. Very generous.
12 years of bad luck if you do not forward.

SAGITTARIUS - The Happy-Go-Lucky One Good-natured optimist. Doesn't want to grow up (Peter Pan Syndrome). Indulges self. Boastful. Likes luxuries and gambling. Social and outgoing. Doesn't like responsibilities. Often fantasizes. Impatient. Fun to be around. Having lots of friends. Flirtatious. Doesn't like rules. Sometimes hypocritical. Dislikes being confined - tight spaces or even tight clothes. Doesn't like being doubted. Beautiful inside and out.
14 years of bad luck if you do not forward.

Well, you can find your Sun Sign Character and Number reading here on Kidsfreesouls. I am not an astrologer but my predictions to your sun sign character and Cheiro reading on numbers may prove correct. Give Bouquets or brickbats. And if you've missed the Sun Sign Dance steps, here's a link again on how to choose your Dance steps as per your sun sign. Enjoy!

- ilaxi patel
Editor, http://www.kidsfreesouls.com/
Newspaper for kids

Phishing scams in Twitter and Facebook too!

A big phishing attack hit Twitter users worldwide, forcing the micro-blogging service to advise its users to change their passwords. Phishers are now targeting the microblogging service Twitter to promote a widespread phishing campaign tricking celebrities and other users into submitting their personal information for identity theft and other illegal activities.
On 3rd Jan, it was noticed that many users got direct messages to follow a link but for me, it was a strange way to know Twitter phishing as I noticed the backgrounds of my site changed to Twitter profile background.

Read more on this on Kidsfreesouls and Tech blog here.

If you have a Twitter Account, change the password and a tip here, change the bg too! If you have a Facebook account or My Space, watch for Phishing as it could strike any time! Facebook have fraudsters targeting Phishing in Jan too.

- ilaxi patel
Editor, http://www.kidsfreesouls.com/
Newspaper for kids

Social networking and Kids!

The start of the year has been a nightmarish experience for me in terms of tech and phishing scams of Twitter. When we are facing such problems which disrupt our thought process, it becomes difficult to concentrate on writing and adding to the blog as most of the time, we have to devote managing these issues of concern.

I wonder, how safe can be the kids? Social networking sites which do not allow children below 18, are full of children below 18! They are adding friends to multiples and even uploading pictures which seem to be a hobby of even the adults. We find people adding friends and pictures - I wonder, how do we remember 500 friends in our list!!! And why do we have to show pictures to people who are just in friends list and mean nothing to us!

Here's Telegraph on A new poll reveals how their parents are embracing new technologies to keep in contact with them during term time. Three quarters of parents (75 per cent) are on social networking sites such as Facebook and over two thirds (64 per cent) are 'friends' with their children, enabling them to have regular contact and updates on what their children are getting up to while away from home.The majority of parents (78 per cent) feel that new technologies such as SMS text messaging, Skype and Facebook have made it easier for them to communicate with their student children, according to a poll released today from the Department for Innovation, Universities & Skills (DIUS). While old fashioned landline telephones remain a popular communication tool (44 per cent), many parents are relying on mobile phones (52 per cent), emails (35 percent), social networking sites (23 per cent) and the internet (16 per cent) as their main way of contacting their children. One in ten (10 per cent) have even set up a blog to communicate with their children and 12 per cent are using web cams, according to research which questioned 1,000 parents with children either currently at university or whose children have left in the last five years.

What is required is 'Safety' - Here's the vision of K-12 students video and here's on Social Networking and kids which might interest you and keep kids safe on the web. Also here's on chat and email etiquettes which I've written earlier.

Well, this reminds me - January is a Hobby Month. In case, you missed the Projects Page, do find January Projects here.

When we ask kids, they have their choice like stamp collecting, pets, marble collection, singing, drawing, dancing ....and the list go on. Computing and playing games is a hobby that is favorite among children today.

Albert Einstein thought ‘Nothing short of a miracle that the modern methods of instruction have not yet entirely strangled the holy curiosity of inquiry; for this delicate little plant, aside from stimulation, stands mostly in need of freedom; without this it goes to wreck and ruin without fail’
All we need to encourage is Creativity. Lessons apart, a child needs to be nurtured to create a Genius. We need not insist children to follow a hobby we like but instead, find their intelligence skills and nurture their Genius minds in the category they fall in like:

1. Linquistic skills
2. Creative skills
3. Logical skills
4. Music
5. Bodily movements
6. spatial intelligence
7. Empathy and self understanding
8. Harmonious and intra personal capablities

As 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.

Find How to create a Genius in your Child - Follow the Projects here and let kids enjoy Hobbies for the whole Month January.

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

Happy New Year - Farewell 2008, Welcome 2009

Wishing all readers 'A very Happy and prosperous new year' - Farewell 2008...Welcome 2009!

Will 2009 be different? You Decide. We saw a lot of changes in 2008. What do you want to Change in 2009? You have the Power! Change begins with us. Join Kidsfreesouls.com and spread the message of Love, faith, peace and unity among human beings.

Make Resolutions and make them firm. Build the Arks for Future....

Watch the video and the message is clear...We all need a Change in 2009! Stay tuned, stay connected - spread Peace.

- ilaxi patel
Editor, http://www.kidsfreesouls.com/
Newspaper for Kids

Midnight mass pics - Educate kids and stop child labor

The midnight mass night of 24th December 2008 at St. Xavier's Parish and other Churches in my city had the holy crib making, tree decorations, hymns and bible chapter reads with sermons as to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

The sermons were in two languages - English and Gujarati. As the father spoke of Love, peace and happiness, I saw a ray of hope for the children surrounding the Church areas in town who are poor and need to survive. He said, "We see a lot of child labour and it is our duty to help these children to get education. Can we not make this a Project for 2009? Try eliminate povery in our areas and help the needy children." The concerns were spoken in Gujarati with story examples and the same was in English on the big screen where the parishers who were sitting outside the church could see the mass proceedings on the screen. This year, the presence was larger but missed was the Christmas song sung 190 years ago in Austria - Silent Night, Holy Night....Or maybe I missed if it was sung after confessions/prior to start of holy readings. Anyways, you can find the holy night song here with lyrics and music to sing along with links to info on Silent Night song website. Enjoy.


The two pics here for view as I attended the St.Xavier's Parish and clicked on my blackberry. I notice, the black berryberry pics aren't so clear like my iphone. Whereas, the music in blackberry plays much better than the iphone.


Well, Celebrate Christmas with the best dance steps for you as per your sun signs. click to find Why Dance, Etiquettes, DJ tips and what steps are right for you on kidsfreesouls Dance pages. Enjoy.

- ilaxi patel
Editor, http://www.kidsfreesouls.com/
Newspaper for kids




















The main Alter at St. Xavier's Parish, Ahmedabad
St. Francis Xavier at the entrance

Merry Christmas - I Believe!

Merry Christmas! As Santa brings bags of goodies, I hope he brings in peace and joy, eradicate poverty, banish hate and spread love, faith, peace and unity among humans - The need of the hour! And sure, we hope Santa brings in economy and environmental changes. Ah, but if only Santa could!

Faith is a light that dispels ignorance and darkness around. Faith is the hope that keeps you surfing on the waves on a sea of storms. Faith is love. Faith is grabbing the magical moments in life. Faith is deciding, daring, challenging and striving to reach the goals. Faith in whom we believe is intimacy & commitment to fulfill service towards mankind. Faith is trusting in tomorrow and dreaming God’s dream of a beautiful world with love, peace and joy to humanity. Like every Christmas, Kids Free souls offers a small prayer for all Kids FS Readers on this Christmas page and Here's I Believe:

I Believe!
I believe for every drop of rain that falls, A flower grows...
I believeI believe A candle glows....
I believeI believe For anyone who goes astray,
Someone will come to show the way.I Believe, I believe.
I believe That above the storm, The smallest prayer will still be heard,
I believeI believe That someone in the great somewhere, Hears every word...
I believeEvery time I hear a new born baby cry, or touch a leaf or see the sky,Then I know why.....I believe.

As I attend my midnight mass every year at the St. Xavier's Parish, I look forward for the same and hope you too have a great mass who believe the faith. You can even view online 'Live from Bethlehem' here. Click for Kidsfreesouls Christmas site here. Keep the Faith.

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

Spiritual Wisdom in Kids and How to Tithe

How do you teach your child to live their Faith? It normally happens that most of the parents do not consider any sort of specific teaching guidelines when it comes to spirituality or keeping faith. Most of the children learn initially by asking simple questions like, "How did the sun come mom?"; "Where do babies come from?" or "Who made the sun, stars, oceans, mountains.." - Parents respond to this curiosity to explain of god's existence and the importance of relationship with god. Children accompany their parents to the church and even join for Sunday reading. They learn by example - when you pray, read your bible or listen to hymns or through illustrative posters and calendars. Helping children to be aware of God, kids just happen to follow the faith - the faith they come to realize! They start getting spiritual to understand God and the existence of the wonder power spirit whom we know as 'God'. This power can nourish and provide them with strength and courage to live a meaningful life and joyful, constructive, productive journey to being a free soul.

Well, How do we teach the child Spiritual Wisdom? And here's guidelines to build the Faith. However, it is also important to teach your child to Give (or call it Tithe, which means giving tenth part of income to church). Like the song we teach our kids, "If you give love, you will receive love - same way, it is important to teach a child to give away their share of things they like to buy like toys, clothes, cassettes. Sometimes, children do not like to share their belongings. However, charity begins at home! So, how do you teach your child to 'Give' (or Tithe)? Here's some simple steps:

1. Begin when children are small: Let them have their piggy banks with different colors. When they are given money, they can opt to place in with a purpose. eg. one for saving, one for spending and the third for charity or tithing to help others.

2. Involve the child : Discuss what you would like to do with the money for tithe and involve the child to decide. If she wants to give to church or temple, or to poor or spend for donating for animals.

3. Teach to organize: It is important to teach a child to be organized. Give them the pocket money or money for birthdays, Christmas, etc. and make it a point to regularly let the child add to the piggy banks. This way, the child will form a habit and remind to save with a feeling that the gift is towards a good cause and it makes him raise his spiritual quotient.

4. Communicate: Talk to children about Causes. Talk with examples, illustrations, whatever. Let the child know how good a cause they are doing by helping others. Teach, "By Giving love, you receive love. God's kindness to other people would be shown through you and your sharing in God's great world will make you a better person."

5. Direct Inner self: Encourage children to be Positive. Recommend good books, inspire with good music. Encourage them to possess Spiritual Atitude that makes a difference. Tell them, God Loves one and all. In good times or bad.

The teachings of most of all the Faiths support the belief that Children are never too small to absorb Spirituality (Moses, oneness). Here's some examples:

Judaism say, "My son, gather instruction from thy youth up, so shalt thou find wisdom till thine old age"

Hinduism say, "Knowledge is riches, what one learns in youth is engraven on stone"

Islam say, "Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave"

Buddhism say, "He who, even as a young student, applies himself to the doctrine of truth brightens up this world like the moon set free from the clouds"

Well, Here's Online Bible Radio and you can listen one year MP3 Bible. L ike the preachings of Gita and the shlokes recites makes the surroundings holier, I feel the Bible readings are holier and daily messages to digest with chapter readings. This one year Bible reading Blog makes you read Bible in a year. I feel the Faith Gems by Robert Schuller are the best I ever come across and Daily Bread that's so much easier too. Here's Christmas Pages on Kidsfreesouls. I've added Bible stories a day especially for those who love to read the Bible stories to children. Here's an earlier Christmas newsletter too. Enjoy!

- ilaxi patel
Editor, http://www.kidsfreesouls.com/
Newspaper for Kids

Read More in Parenting In : Guardian of Angels Book

Imagine Peace! Lessons on Anti Terrorism and Peace

Happy Holidays! Christmas time and it brings a holy of faith, peace and happiness. Imagine, how peaceful minds can inspire the young who can bring peace in our lives in the coming future?
Peace is at every door step - It only takes a fraction of a second to spread peace. You may wonder, How can we do this? As teachers and parents, we often miss on the little details of real life. So, here's a Lesson Plan on Peace. Say cheese, begin with a smile and Imagine, I hope you will join Kidsfreesouls Mission and someday, we can share the world and be as One.

Terrorism like 9/11 and 26/11 with more round the world has made children quite anxious and inquisitive to the Who, what, when, where, why - such things are happening. We may not be able to provide many of these answers but we have our moral duty to make the children understand Terrorism like any other calamities namely, Earthquake or Environmental changes. So many times, parents or even teachers do not respond to the small yet big questions of children. They half heartedly listen as they are occupied with other things. You see but you don't look or pay heed, you listen but don't hear, you may answer but brush off! Children are our future and peace need to be their existence in time of situations like war, terror, threat to nations or any natural or man made calamities.

Here is a Peace Lesson on Kidsfreesouls with Anti Terrorism Lesson Plans and Articles that you may find interesting, useful read. John Lennon was killed on 8th December 1980 and you can find his wonderful message on Peace here with video and song lyrics too.

Here is Action call:

Action Call:

>Promote peace
>Protect children rights
>Keep Kids safe & away from Guns (Even Toy Guns)
>Restrict Television viewing
>Avoid Movies on war and violence
>Talk and Read stories of courage, hope and strength
>Communicate & Spread awareness

We need to communicate, Discuss, maintain a routine, Develop Self control and build confidence, Educate (Read in detail here)

The recent terror attacks in Mumbai had been telecasted on all TV channels repeatedly with kids watching the gruesome inhuman acts live. It is during this situation, we need to switch off the television in front of these children and even educate the child and provide guidance. It's time to stop crime and stop kids from negative influence.



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

Educator Links

St. Nicholas (Santa Claus) Death (feast) Day: 6th December
It's been a delightful visit for me to Vallabh Vidhyanagar recently. It was an Industrial visit to Elecon Engineering, Milcent and other units with the GCCI delegate as a Business women's committee member. We even had a round table discussion on 'Recession' with the VV Industries Association members. The experience for me is unforgettable but more on this later, as I have some special links to mention here.

The first is, the Network Student Video explaining the use of Google notebook, doc, Scholar and Google reader in a classroom. Next is, Social Media in Plain English - a Commoncraft videos in You Tube Fav Kidsfreesouls Log. You can even read the sub titles of the Social media here which is a story that illustrates forces shaping the social media.

I agree, Social Media maybe the next buzz thing. Though, Social media is getting too favorites with students here, the buzz goes around chit-chatting and socializing only. Students at the foreign classroom discuss the classroom assignments on the wall on how they cope up writing the essays. There is a need to use the tools and grab opportunities to interact with people who care. Children can be a lot creative, use the tools like the blogger, twitter, you tube, picasa, etc. and convey, interact, invent or share - book reads, reviews, ideas, music, news, whatever. What we need is to Educate. Cyber Safety is a prime concern but if children are taught to be more Focused and educated to use the Social media, networking becomes a learning process and more enjoyable too.

Well, here is Google Educators Group with Larry Ferlazzo's Best List and I am sure, this will be helpful to many teachers and parents as well. What makes it so interesting is the Lesson Plan Link to Mumbai Terrorism Lesson Plan to educate children on such man made disaster events - the W's of Who, what, when, where, and why such things happen and check their EQ's (Emotional Quotient) as to what their reaction could be, how they felt or what would be their action plan if they are fixed in such situation.

Btw, December is a holy month and as we all love Santa Claus, here's St. Nicholas Day on 6th December - Find more in Kidsfreesouls Christmas pages. You can also find great resource links on Larry's site on Christmas, Hanullah and Kwanzaa.

All religions and the curriculum in the classrooms focus on cultural learning but more is a reason to Keep the Faith and believe in a super power whom we call 'God'. And to follow the message of Humanity, Kidsfreesouls spreads the message of love, faith, peace and unity among Human beings - Join my site and "Show you care, spread PEACE." Just click to Join the site. Enjoy!

- ilaxi patel
Editor, http://www.kidsfreesouls.com/
Newspaper for kids

Computer Literacy and Kids Projects 'Can Kids Teach Themselves'

Kidsfreesouls Projects every year have December 2 as the World Computer Literacy Day and children/parents are made aware of the use of Computers. Kidsfreesouls readers can peek-a-boo here for the December Project and sure, it's all about technology we need to be aware of and make the kids use computers in a right manner. Explore the sections and you may create your own ideas on how to use kidsfreesouls/any other websites in classrooms. I think, teachers need to model effective use of technology in the classroom - get aware and 'Teach with the Times' and know 'Is Computing Safe for Kids?' (my two articles in Guardian of Angels). Parents and teachers want their kids to use computers, even feel the pride that their children are using it but they really don't get to know much of it. Children can now be teachers as well when it comes to teaching computers when parents/teachers fail to know much. Here's a wonderful 10 things we need to unlearn. Very true, these technologies will make harder for old voice of Education to survive.

Btw, here's a site with interesting note on classroom implications. Can kids learn computing themselves? And do teachers look for opportunities to leverage unstructured success into more structured academic success? One do need to rethink technology standards. Here's Sugata Mitra on 'Can Kids Teach Themselves' - a very interesting research that part of primary education can happen on it's own as Children can self organize and learn sometimes with minimum interference of the teacher. Here's a video /also here, that says all.

What I believe is, the Mari Montessori method need to be re-examined as children learn from errors, experiments and by sharing their experiences with other classmates. Children are more tech smart as they share their computer skills even with their parents and teachers while they learn how to compute better and teach them in turn too.

You can also find a video here by Jackie Halaw on 3 steps for 21st Century Learning. Tips for a Transformable changes in Technology Education.

As technology makes a shift, one wonders "Is computing safe for kids" - Adults need not pry but be cautious to what kids are surfing on the web. Their safety is a prime concern and as Experts offer new Advice to safety (In Kidsfreesouls Google News here), teach kids on cyber safety with the chat etiquettes, email etiquettes and above all, how to go about social networking or game sites online as they will be exploring these areas as even their friends are doing so. Here is a Byte Crime Booklet "Mind what you do Online". You can even download the Tip Sheets. What every child on net needs to know is "You are Watched".

Kidsfreesouls Computing section is tech related Computing and kids here which you may find useful. Enjoy.

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

Never too Late! World Aids Day

World Aids Day was on December 1 to Make a Difference, Shine a Light on HIV/Aids. Stop the Virus. It's Never Late! Kidsfreesouls lighted the 14185th Light to Fight two year ago. Earlier, it was 246669th light of Kidsfreesouls.com out of the candles lighted on this website which is Bristol-Myers Squibb Initiative in co-operation with the National Aids Fund. Last Year, the Kidsfreesouls Light is 6837th light to support the initiative. This year, Kidsfreesouls lighted 7483rd light to support Stop Aids campaign. It's never too late! You can also Light & Support to Add your Light to the Fight. You can read or share your stories on HIV here, tell a friend or sign up for a newsletter too.

There's a light at the end of a dark tunnel and that's Aids Epidemic. Bring Aids out of the darkness and spread awareness - Stop to Think, Stop Aids, spread awareness - Beware, Be aware and break the darkness cyle of poverty and disease. Share your light. Create your own and Send your message to a friends here.

Every ten minutes, one American is infected with Aids and approximately 300,000 people infected with HIV do not know it. Women account 1 of 4 diagnosis in the US. You can find more details on the CDC website and WHO Website.

World leaders, from both industrialized and developing countries, have repeatedly made commitments to step up their efforts to fight the spread of HIV and AIDS. Here are some basic facts on HIV and Aids.
In 2007
420,000 children were newly infected with HIV
290,000 children died of AIDS
Children under 15 accounted for 2.1 million of the estimated 33.2 million people living with HIV

Millions of children, adolescents and young people in the path of the pandemic are at risk and in need of protection. AIDS is redefining the very meaning of childhood for millions, depriving children of many of their human rights – of the care, love and affection of their parents; of their teachers and other role models; of education and options for the future; of protection against exploitation and abuse.

The world must act now, urgently and decisively, to ensure that the next generation of children is AIDS-free. And if we are not concerned to the fact, we may end up our children to be the victims of such diseases. Here is a pdf file on Talking to children on Aids(html file generated by google) which may help. As parents and teachers, it is our moral duty to guide children to the right path so that they may not bump on curvy roads to hell.

- ilaxi patel
Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com

Newspaper for Kids