Diwali and Creativity with Rangoli

Wishing all who pass this way, " A Happy Diwali and Prosperous New Year."

Diwali brings in bright hopes and joy for a new year full of peace and happiness. More, Diwali brings in creativity and as I talked of creativity in my earlier note, I guess we don't need to define creativity nor do we need to teach creativity. Creativity comes naturally, from within. And here's an example of Chandra Ba, my mom in law, who is 70+ and very active. She presents great art in various forms - one of which is Rangoli, a tradition in every Indian home.

You can find her Rangoli in color and Patchwork paper and Pistachio covers. All from waste to best themes.

I think, as Authors, we can only preach sometimes but when it comes to creativity, it is our own desire to be creative for which, one even needs a sound health, peaceful atmosphere and an active mind to think, act.

- ilaxi patel
Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com

Unleash Creativity

Khalil Gibran had a vision of mankind as a source of inspiration to many souls. Talking about Children, he said:

You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
for their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them,
but seek not to make them like you
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.
You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.

Life's understanding usually comes with a strife and experience. Khalil Gibran almost speak the words of wisdom on parenting - to responsibly carry on the delicate task of nurturing children and giving wings to their talent.

I was just going through the pages of 'Roots and Wings' by Raksha Bharadia and the book is an amazing Handbook for Parents. She has elaborate ways on nurturing creativity in children. Some of the topics covered are:

1. Creating environment - Issue of exposure
2. Nurturing creativity through arts
3. Fostering creativity through reading
4. Nurturing creativity through creative writing
5. Using music to enhance creativity
6. Making creativity a part of every day life

Raksha pens, "There is no clear definition of creativity. It is referred to in terms of imagination, divergent thinking, fantasy, intution, curiosity, problem solving, and in terms of different combinations of these factors. Creativity is the ability to see beyond what exists, and to combine thoughts and experience into new ideas. We may not be able to define but can recognise it when we come face to face with it in our own selves on in others around us." Raksha Bharadia has numerous points to motivate and encourage Creativity as she gives various anecdotes and interviewed pieces of Aparna Sen, A R Rehman, Javed Akhtar, Sanjeev Kapoor and so on. They all speak their experiences on way to success as they flowered to bloom free with creative pursuits. The book is based on the Author's experiences, extensive research work and Interviews. To read further on Creativity and other chapters on parenting, you need to grab a copy of the newest book in the parenting category here. Raksha Bharadia is also the Author of 'Me' and co-author to Chicken Soup for the Indian Soul.

Well, here's a brief Excerpt-Unleash Creativity from Guardian of Angels article in the Chapter 'Childhood Development' :



Checklist for Creativity

Creative people generally show a spirit of Intellectual entertainment. Listening to music, drinking coffee, watching television, Painting, Dancing, Surfing or chatting can also plunge into creative ideas and come up with numerous practical devices for stimulating and capturing new ideas. Check list a bunch of verbs like magnify, substitute, combine, expose, reverse, soar and so on. Apply these verbs at the time of difficulties faced as you splash the creative outputs.

Make efforts to document your ideas. Jot down the ideas or in the shuffle of day-to-day activities, you lose track of them. Be prepared to note down, keeping handy a piece of paper, pencil or open up a folder in you computer and feed in the ideas.

Day dream your ideas. It has tremendous powers to make dreams turn true or at least, grab those moments of joy to fulfill the creative pursuits.

Ponder over the creative skills. Get inspired from people, places, things or happenings – just about anything and the inspirations work wonders, flowering to bloom fragrance of your creativity spreading happiness within and around you.

Children need to be spoon-fed creativity and raise IQ. It's within reach for everyone with no exceptions. To unleash the power of potentialities in self, one need to apply strategies that need to be mastered and shoot up the Idea Bank, storing all ideas that pop up in mind. Like a proverb, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it (Prov 22:6). In fact, the process of turning knowledge into value, is Creativity and in a faster pace to technology which is a complexity, creativity is simplicity. In the process, children grow to be more responsible and emotionally stable. It is required that parents and teachers too, need to nurture skills to set an example and for this, it requires a great deal of devotion, dedication, discipline and exposure too.

Btw, here's the Quotes and Real Stuff page to help you find valuable quotes. Enjoy!

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

Freedom for Bully

Watch Video on Bullying in Kidsfreesouls You tube
18-24 October is 'Freedom for Bullies week' as observed with the sole intention to free the trauma of being bullied. At Kidscape, Anti Bullying week is in November.

Bullying has just become of the most underrated but enduring problems today. Kids & Teenagers use the mobiles and the net and because there's the whole world of fun using these gadgets, it's time to stop the Bully Panic. As per the Survey by Daniel Peterson, an associate professor at the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in North Chicago, being bullied can challenge the survival of new nerve cells in the brain and may even lead to depression. Stress kills young nerve cells and this may scar children's brain for life.

With Change with the Change, technology has set in the pace with a massive impact in lives of the younger generation. Social networking and blogging is on a rise. Mobile Phone bullying and children are exposed to adult content on the web if not monitored properly. Parents play a crucial part in protecting children from these dangers, but too often it is children, not their parents, who are in the driving seat when it comes to the use of new technology.

A survey says, 1% of parents think, their children are blogging, 33% children use blogs and 67% parents do not know what a blog is! 13% of 11 years old are never supervised online and 11% of 11 years say, their parents are not aware about their online communications. Many parents can't check the surfing History nor do they exactly know what their children do on the Internet.
This survey results are derived from web searches which is alarming. The dangers of the web lurk as to the three main exposures:

1. Content
2. Contact
3. Buying

As parents fail to provide advice and support, children lurk into realms of the web - unknown and unaware of the consequences sometimes. Leaving the two exposures aside, Contact is one main hurdle in Bullying. Children who visit the chat rooms, emails or text messaging need to moderate their activities and be safe from lurking dangers on web with individuals who want to meet in real life.

Kind of bullying:

1. Physical - beating, punching, threats
2. verbal - calling names, spreading rumour, sarcasm
3. Gestures - teasing, making faces
4. Sexual - unwanted behavior and contacts
5. Cyber bullying - At chats, IMs, mobile text messaging, emailing

Signs of possible Bullying in schools can be:

1. Withdrawal syndrome
2. Coming home with torn books, clothes, bruises
3. fear, restlessness, depression, aggressive attitude
4. Loss of confidence, stammering, self harm, eating disorder
5. Change in routine with loss of interest, mood swings

Ban the Bully:

In the Classroom, at the playground, On way to Home, On the web, In the Neighborhoods - Bullying can be anywhere. All one need to do is :Ban the Bully. Spot the signs. Encourage the child to Speak out. Let not Bully bother, opt for smart ways to avoid. Make the child confident, use tact and be un-perturbed. Know your child's friends and what they do online.

Well, here's an article on Bullying from my book and I hope the tips may help somewhere. Mobile bullying is on a rise as well as the text bullying. You may as well surf the NCH site for more details on this and for Mobile Manners, my earlier note says all.

Here are some sites that may help:
http://www.childline.org.uk/Info/Pages/Bullying.aspx
http://www.bullying.co.uk/
http://www.saynotobullying.org.uk/sections/parents/actions.asp
Download Text Bully Poster
http://www.kidsfreesouls.com/bully.htm - More on Bully, Hurt, Ignored.

Btw, did you miss the link to October Project? Here's the link.

Blog Action Day : I am In - Eliminate Poverty

Last year, I posted a Blog on Blog Action Day with the initiatives taken to save Environment. This year, today is the Blog Action Day with 'Poverty Eradication' as it's theme and Kidsfreesouls participate to support the cause.

Sometimes, we feel, 'How do I help to eliminate poverty?' A post of John Larry Limbo on Blog Catalog said, 'Poverty is a root to War' with concerns : I am really wondering if this great crisis now of the world can result into a war. In which it can lead the earth to its total destruction.
A simple concerned question but imagine the impact! As the Discussion goes on here, I wonder, Is this a beginning of another Armageddon? Poverty is a Root of War or is the root of War, Poverty? Whatever, the debate goes on. You can ponder on this and send your views too or post in comments.

I was just reading the article of Gretchen Rubin, "How to make yourself Happiner during Economic Crisis", it really do give us an insight on how to face the crisis. Bolstering your own sense of calm and security will free you to think about other people. And, in these hard times, it is the need of the hour to keep a cool. As she says, "the problem with subprime mortgages and the financial crisis won't push them into true poverty, but it will make them feel much poorer." The result would be frustrations, anger and like John says, 'Poverty could be a root to war' and the root of war - war within soul search, war with values, war with humans - Is the Nostradamus predictions surfacing up?

Well, here's 30 simples ways to battle Poverty with Technology. You can find more such Participated blogs on Blog Action Day site.

There is something always in an Individual who can Contribute. Maybe, Money, time, friendship, social cause, donate blood - Sponser a Child! One can opt in for Cry or World Vision. With the programs by Cry, 497,343 children were impacted through their programmes in 5250 villages/ slums. We can educate children, care for the need or even buy simple Cards this Diwali - We are taking action to eliminate poverty.

Protect Kids from crime, Stop them to be criminals. Let Poverty not be a root of War and not let the Root of War, Poverty! Join Blog Action Day - I am In - Are you?

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

How to Discipline Kids

How to discipline kids and that is one thing we all need to work on when they are almost naughty or call them Brats! As parents need to have an insight on their own behavior, even as teachers, we need to know 'How to Manage.'


A failing parent once came to me and asked, "How do I teach my children some good manners and discipline him?" She was completely frustrated and told me the difficulties she was having with her two sons, a 12 year old Bins and a 14 year old Deep. She had to continuously act a referee to determine who was right or wrong, who would use the ipod or who would watch which show on the television. I told her to exemplify the saying, "Do as I say' - All she did was telling the children not to yell and lose their tempers. However, she did the same.

Discipline is about teaching children that there are consequences for not keeping within the boundaries of rules, not about being hurt. When children misbehave, a parent reacts on how she's feeling at the moment. There has to be fair and appropriate consequences for inappropriate attitude.

Children are more in need of role models than critics. Illustrating a behavior you want them to embrace, they are more likely to emulate it. Children are going to follow examples. If you tell a child not to lie and you do by saying, "If that's an Insurance Agent at the door, tell him, mom is not at home." You need to check your actions. If you are smoking, quite before you want to tell them not to smoke. Do not adopt 'Do as I say, not as I do.'

So, How do you Manage?

A simple exercise for the inner-self helps. Get focused on what you want as a parent and know the values you can instill to get back action.

1. Know yourself within. Ask yourself, what do I want my child to learn by my way to discipline them?

2. Find the answers to What you want the child to learn

3. Do you like your own way of guidance and your style of approach with children?

4. Ask, will I like this kind of approach for myself?

5. What are your child's likes and dislikes.

6. Do they fare well under my guidance

7. Is my way of dealing worth the results. Are you getting positive results?

8. What are my values. Do I follow the rules?

There is a generation gap and so is an age factor to take into account. Children are not born experienced nor they see any problems in their actions. A parent needs constructive ways of changing behavior with tactful explanations on 'What to do, how to do' and check on own temperament values. If you call a child 'lazy' because he does not make his bed, he will have an unhealthy self image to tarnish himself. If the parent herself do not have the tolerance, the child will lose his self esteem.

All actions have consequences and children need to know this specifically. Hence, teach children the basic principles of living :

1. Decide yourself what values you wish the child to follow.

2. Teach children what you want them to do and how to go about it. If you want your child to be courteous to a visitor, teach him to greet the guest and how to be mannerful. Teach him simple words of 'please, thank you and sorry' and actually mean it.

3. Praise the child's behavior and not be boastful about his certain actions. Nor, be sarcastic too.

4. Stop telling again and again. Instead, sort for a reminder signal.

5. Avoid being Bossy. Do not dig the past of bad behavior of the child. Focus on future improvement. Reminding of what he did, makes him feel more hurt and hurts self esteem.

Great kids misbehave too. Punishing children is not the way of discipline. In face, discuss the consequences and let the child know the causes and effect of punishment before doing so. They need to be more responsible for their actions. A continuity of guidance need to be there as Kids need constant follow up. When children learn to be responsible, they build their self esteem because it gives them control over their self. They don't have to be guilty and they know, in spite of their misbehavior, you still love them.

Kids need a secure, comfortable and loving homely atmosphere. Do not make them insecure. Apply tact and build your own self esteem. Do not vent own frustrations to pass on to them. This will only makes things worse for both. Nurture the kids with commandments of parenting in a caring way.

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

Subscribe to widgets and link to Stage Fright

I just did a posting on my Author Page at Amazon.com which you may find useful.

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.......click to read more.

Btw, you can find my Widgets  appearing on main blog page. If you are subscribing the widgets, please do subscribe all the widgets separately which means, you need to add 4 codes as these are multiple blogs on diverse subjects.

Btw, How to Discipline Kids? 5th October had been World Teacher's Day and I am sure, you will find the Articles of Teachers quite helpful here.  If you are a teacher and have written an article like these, please email here without attachments and I shall be pleased to add on the page for our readers.

Watch this space as I post my next article on How to Discipline Kids. Meanwhile, you can send me your thoughts on the subject.

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

Smileys

One of the exciting challenges to communicate on the Internet and be impressive or just 'Show off' is through the Language flow of signs. These are symbols to convey the expressions in emails, chat rooms, messaging programs,etc. They are composed of several keyboard characters which you can use and express your emotions. So, how did this Smileys, emoticons and computer jargon language start?

On the web, we find different results on who actually invented Smileys. The very earliest known examples of the graphic are attributed to Harvey Ball, a commercial artist in Worcester, Massachusetts. He devised the face in 1963 for an insurance firm that wanted an internal campaign to improve employee morale. He declared that the first Friday in October each year would henceforth be World Smile Day. The first World Smiley Day took place in Worcester, MA on October 1, 1999. The smiley face knows no politics, no geography and no religion. This day today is celebrated as World Smiley Day and the theme of Harvey Ball's site for 2008 is 'Do an Act of Kindness, Help one person smile.'

Later on in 1970, popularized by Bernard and Murray Spain who produce buttons, coffee mugs, T shirts, bumper stickers, etc with 'Have a Happy Day'

In 1981, Smileys were used by Scott Fahlman and here is his website with info. Here is the original thread in the Bulletin board where it was proposed.

Currently, he seems to be working on am working on Scone, a practical system that can represent a large body of real-world knowledge and that can efficiently perform the kinds of search and inference that seem so effortless for humans. Too high end learning for me yet, take a look at the site and this sure is Interesting!And here's with the Smiley day just gone, I remember all those smileys and frowns I got with winks and yawning, angelic and devilish too - as I passed through ICQ, Talkcity, Yahoo Messengers and even India Times and many more Chatrooms. Kidsfreesouls has the Smileys Here - The Unofficial Smiley Faq for use and you can even add more of your smileys here 0:-)

I've done a Classroom Project on Smileys earlier and it is so much fun for the kids. They can draw different smiley faces in their Project book, make a Smiley Poster and jot down all the Smileys and Computer Jargons that they can use on web as well as many of them use while texting messages on mobile phones. Enjoy!

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

International Day of Non Violence: Gandhiji's Birthday

October 2 is marked the Birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, the born Leader who gave India its Freedom and spread the message of peace and non violence.

As I mentioned earlier in Kidsfreesouls News page, the World Today observes 'The International Day of Non Violence.' Gandhiji quoted, "It is my firm conviction that nothing endearing can be built upon Violence.' And as we see Violence spreading around the world, it is to follow the Gandhian Principles of living.

You can find the highly surfed page of Kidsfreesouls on Gandhiji here and find Gandhiji's Constructive Program Ideology for students and Check the Gandhiji Quiz and you too, find out the answers from Gandhiji's book 'My Experiments with the Truth'. All the Swagat children had found the answers from the book and sent competition entries to Margi Sastry of Wee wonder, Times of India long before.

Well, the Union Health Ministry of India has declared 'No Smoking' with strict rules on the prohibition of Smoking in public areas. Smoking will be banned at work place, shopping malls and cinema halls., airport lounges and even pubs and bars from today, October 2. As such, an average 11,000 deaths per day globally are caused due to tobacco. Six lac deaths per year are caused due to Tobacco consumption in India itself with 50% resulting to cancer. What is more alarming is, 55000 Indian children get addicted to tobacco every year.

Tobacco was smoked as far back as 1556 by the people of the Caribbean, as discovered by Christopher Columbus. It is a silent trap and causes lung cancer, bronchitis and asthma, mouth ulcers, etc. Smoking or chewing tobacco gets a person addicted and No Safe Cigarettes are proven too as low nicotine or the light cigarettes are also equally harmful. Researchers presented a study at the American Thoracic Society 2007 International Conference lately that Kids of smoking parents aren't so healthy. Children whose parents smoke have more respiratory problems. More puffing, wheezing, cases of pneumonia are the effects to the health of the children. The kids also have higher risk of getting depressed, hyper tense and even get lower grades in schools due to their health problems of wheezing and lower respiratory infection due to which, they cannot concentrate in class.

Hence, it is welcoming idea looking to the Health Hazards of Smoking and what other day can be set as Gandhiji's birthday to ban smoking? In 'My Experiments with the Truth', Gandhiji mentions of his habit of smoking and how hard he tried to kick off the habit, which he did. A way of prove, If one has a will, he can do it.

Also Being International Peace day today, it is to think over the words of Thich Nhat Hanh, who advocates non violence and spreads a message of peace, educating a way out of war and violence. You can read further on this in TOI as his wisdom words reflect as he becomes a Guest Editor for the newspaper on occasion of Gandhiji's birthday. The zen master who rebuild bombed villages, set up schools and medical centres, resettled homeless families and all his life advocated the principles of non violence and compassionate action speaks of peace education and its the way out of war and violence. He quips, 'Terrorists are victims who create more victims.'

One need to control two things - Anger and Tolerance. And more as an adult, Protect kids from Crime - Stop them to be Criminals. Build the Pillars of Character and follow the Principles of Good Living with value education.

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

Newspaper for kids

Banned Books week: Book List, Video and More!

Benjamin Franklin said: "Without Freedom of Thought, there can be no such Thing as Wisdom; and no such Thing as public Liberty, without Freedom of Speech."

Banned Books Week 2008 is the twenty-seventh annual celebration of the freedom to read. Banned Books Week is sponsored by the American Booksellers Association, the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression, the American Library Association (ALA), the Association of American Publishers, the American Society of Journalists and Authors and the National Association of College Stores. The Library of Congress Center for the Book endorses it.

You can find Videos on Banned Book Week in Kidsfreesouls You Tube. Find the books Top 10 books banned in 2007 and Top 50 Books banned from 1990-2000.

This year, as ALA celebrates the week from September 27-4th October, you can find some banned books picks :

1. Harry Potter Series:
Harry Potter and the Chamber of SecretsHarry Potter and the Goblet of FireHarry Potter and the Half Blood PrinceHarry Potter and the Prisoner of AzkabanHarry Potter and the Sorcerer's stone.
These books were to ban out of the school libraries, based on a claim they promote witchcraft. The themes of witchcraft and sorcery were inappropriate for a Catholic school. A county school board members said the books were good tools to encourage children to read and to spark creativity and imagination.

2. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Twain, Mark [Samuel L. Clemens]
Challenged, but retained in the Lakeville, Minn. High School (2007) and St. Louis Park High School in Minneapolis, Minn. (2007) as required reading for sophomores. The district will conduct staff training about race issues and revise the way it weighs requests for curriculum changes. The district will also let its staff offer alternative assignments on racially sensitive issues in ways which “students do not feel ostracized because they have opted out of the assignment." Challenged at Richland High School in North Richland Hills, Tex. (2007) because of racial epithets. Challenged at the Manchester, Conn. High School (2007) "because the 'N' word is used in the book 212 times."

3.Rainbow Boys - Sanchez, Alex.
Removed from the Webster, N.Y. Central School District summer reading list for high-school students (2006) after receiving complaints from parents about explicit sexual content. The book won the International Reading Association's 2003 Young Adults' Choice Award, and the American Library Association selected it as a Best Book for Young Adults. A year later the book returned to the list after district officials reviewed the process used to select books on the list.

4. Go Ask Alice. Anonymous.
Challenged as a reading assignment at Hanahan Middle School in Berkeley County, S.C. (2008) because of blatant, explicit language using street terms for sex, talk of worms eating body parts, and blasphemy. The anonymously written 1971 book is about a fifteen-year-old girl who gets caught up in a life of drugs and sex before dying from an overdose. Its explicit references to drugs and sex have been controversial since it was first published.

5. The Freedom Writers Diary: How a Teacher and 150 Teens used Writing to Change themselves and the World Around Them
Challenged in the Howell, Mich. High School (2007) along with several other books because of strong sexual content. In response to a request from the president of the Livingston Organization for Values in Education, or LOVE, the county's top law enforcement official reviewed the books to see whether laws against distribution of sexually explicit materials to minors had been broken. "After reading the books in question, it is clear that the explicit passages illustrated a larger literary, artistic, or political message and were not included solely to appeal to the prurient interests of minors," the Livingston County prosecutor wrote. "Whether these materials are appropriate for minors is a decision to be made by the school board, but I find that they are not in violation of the criminal laws." The best-selling book has achieved national acclaim and was made into a recent hit movie.

6. Rani by Jaishree Misra
This book is banned for sale and distribution in Uttar Pradesh India.

7. Hosseini, Khaled. The Kite Runner
Challenged as appropriate study in tenth-grade honors English class at Freedom High School in Morganton, N.C. (2008) because the novel depicts a sodomy rape in graphic detail and uses vulgar language.

Well, you can find more books that are Challenged in 2007-2008 here and download a pdf for reading pleasure. Also celebrate Teen Read Week here. You can watch this space more for my Amazon Banned Books Listmania which currently has My Comics World and Childhood Classics with more topics. Meanwhile, here's one for ready reference on Banned Books.

Freedom of speech is at will but Books are challenged and banned for every possible reason. Books are challenged usually, to protect others, frequently children, from difficult ideas and information. And it might surprise many, Harry Potter Books face a challenge Book category for its focus on wizardy and magic! It is understood that between 1990 and 2000, around 6,364 challenges reported to or recorded by the Office for Intellectual Freedom. Based upon the objections of a person or group, when books are challenged for reading, they are banned! However, Banned Books Week makes it possible for 'Free People Read Freely' concept and the Banned Books week emphasize the freedom to choose or the freedom to express one's opinion. Sometimes, silencing the expression of opinion is no good but when the material is unsuitable for age group, offensive language or sexually explicit, Banning is Must! Human Race falls prey easy to the vices and yet, when these challenged books ultimately get banned, this week sure do justice to work that is dumped in cans if the content is good for read!

Its your ticket to freedom. Freedom to read the books that you missed out and freedom to ban a book. Get-set-ready to read Books - Encourage Reading and celebrate Freedom. Make the Banned Books Project in the classroom and dive into the ocean of knowledge.

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

Muppets return, Forthcoming Disney Movies & Chronicles of Narnia order of books

I was talking to kids and they all mentioned of Hannah Montanna that she's rocking star they like the most. Children almost like to watch the Cartoon Channels and Disney is the favourite channel of kids over here.

Well, Disney is orchestrating the Muppets’s return on several fronts: TV specials, Web videos, a feature film, theme-park attractions and a whole lot of merchandising. You can Read more in New York Times here. Seems the Muppets will be interacting with the High School Musical stars and a stream of comic videos is in production as you can find here on Kidsfreesouls You Tube.

Btw, here's a list of new Disney Movies from Disneyland :

Beverly Hills Chihuahua COMING OCT 3RD 
High School Musical 3 COMING OCT 24TH 
TinkerBell COMING TO DVD OCT 28TH 
Bolt COMING NOV 26TH

Coming to Disney DVD

Wall E COMING TO DVD & BLU-RAY NOV. 18TH 
Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian ON DVD DEC. 2ND 
Goal! 2: Living the Dream TBA

Btw, The Chronicles of Narnia are perfect books for children. C. S. Lewis was a brilliant author and theologian and these are wonderful books for children and adults, and can be read again and again as it is a classic of Children's Literature. Reading in Chronological order misses on the surprize and magic. When the books were originally published, it was not numbered. You can read more on Wiki here. So, If you take a session of these stories, you need to read them this way:

1) The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe
2) Prince Caspian
3)The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
4) The Silver Chair
5) The Horse and His Boy
6) The Magician's Nephew
7) The Last Battle

And here's Cartoon Fun and Cartoon Kids Pages with more resource to find in 'For Kids'page here. Enjoy!

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

How much Pocket Money for kids?

I was wondering if you can tell me 'How much pocket money you got as a child?' and now, 'How much Pocket money you think is right to give to your Child?'

I posted this Questions in Q & A at LinkedIn 'Author Book Reviews' Group. You can join in here on my List and opine your views. You can even add to comments here.

Well, Kids pocket money gets a big boost with changing lifestyles. Pocket money give kids a feeling of self dependence. It makes children more responsible and organized in their approach towards money matters. Knowing the value of money is important and makes a child aware of 'How money comes and How it goes' so that they can be careful in their dealing with money to pick up things reasonably fair for them and not spending grandly that they cannot afford. Even, while they get the extra bucks, children can learn how to save in what we call 'piggy bank.'

Like I mentioned in one of my articles in my Book 'Guardian of Angels', Morris Mandel from Jewish Press says, "Four Magic words : We can't afford it", should be a part of every child's education. A child who has never heard these words, or also has never been forced to abide by their meaning, has surely been cheated by his parents. As exercise strengthens the body, frugality strengthens the spirit. Without its occasional discipline, character suffers."

It is very true, today parents are feeling the stress in the money crunch period and many are living on the edge. Children are acutely sensitive to the nuances of their parents' tension and well being. It is important to talk to children on money matters and when pocket money is concerned, I gather, the west is more liberal in providing money even to the younger kids. A weekly allowance of 5$ is quite reasonable whereas some get $1 or even $20 per week. Some parents fulfil the wish of children out of love and demands keep pouring in when they fail to mention "We can't afford".

Children even follow herd mentality. Someone has a new version of ipod or a playstation, they too want it. Here is when parental guidance is required.

Teaching about finance to children is good. Pocket money is a great way to educate children to become financially literate to make informed decisions about their finances. However, draw the lines as to How much should a child get? Second is, How to manage the Pocket money?

So, here's Kidsfreesouls Tips:

How much should a Child Get?

1. Pre-school children can get a $ (Rs.50) per month whereas older children can get a $5 (Rs.200) per month.

2. Money can be given to kids on various occassion like Birthdays, christmas, (Diwali) etc. and let the kids choose their gift from it. (Teach them to keep aside for savings from this)

3. Call for kids to work by helping you around. Later, reward with pocket money with additional few $$ for their help.

4. You can give additional $ apart from pocket money and this should be compulsory for Piggy bank.

5. Give pocket money as your pocket suits and not as demanded by the child. Get an idea of pocket money giving rate and give as suits best to you.

How to Manage the Pocket money:

1. Teach kids about saving and investing

2. Teach about budgeting

3. Save up for things the kids want eg. an ipod. Give extra $ on birthdays, christmas etc. to add to savings and on savings of $$ give bonus add ons.

4. Add compulsory to the Piggy bank by saving some fix $

5. If you've given a mobile to a teenager, let them pay the usage bills from pocket money.

6. Let them have the best experience to shop around for a price.

7. Let kids manage their personal passbook to keep records of their pocket money and its expenditure and savings

8. If a child break a valuable vase or charges occured for mis-handling of their bicycle, let them pay from the pocket money. It may be a mistake but they will learn to be more responsible and know the value of money.

9. Make sure, the pocket money is used for good purpose and that children don't use for things like cigarettes or like.

10. Let them know your Position and how much you can afford. Even if you can afford more, keep a check on emotions. Give as much as others get around and guide the child to manage pocket money by your own examples of managing your own.

Pocket money is an issue that really concerns many of the parents. Even schools take a step on pocket money usage in canteens here in my city as children are fond to binge eating which creates obesity problems and even tempts other children who cannot afford. Many parents do not consider pocket money. Instead provide all that a child needs. However, demands of children are always rising and it is to keep a vigil on expenses by guarding emotions rather than following instincts to make the child happy.

My son Binal says, "I got Rs.20 as pocket money and today, I earn with multiple zeroes added to it yet, my personal experience with Pocket money has taught me to manage my finances and I make practical and logical decisions while I incur expenses."

So, there you go - Be a guide, be a helper. Instill the right moral code of conduct and adopt the four magic words "We can't Afford It" and sure, you will see the results as your child grow up.

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

Newspaper for kids

mobile manners

Are you a cell phone mom, teacher or a caretaker? Probably, you need to check your manners while children are around.

Anywhere, at playgrounds, clubs, shopping malls, jogging parks, schools - at home, in kitchen - almost everywhere, we find moms, dads and even caretakers, talking or sending text messages or fiddling with their cell phones - be it nokia, iphone, blackberry and now will be, Google Android! Children are watching and listening too. Such behavior can have serious consequences for children. It's a good way to multi-task but children lag in their development as to their speech skills, manners and even attitude. As adults feverishly fiddle cell phones to answer phone, text or emailing, they often miss to remain mentally present with the child. They are distracted to the point that sometimes, they are hyper with the child and tend to neglect him.

Children today are growing up with cellphones, ipods, video games, computers and all the latest technology. They've a feel for it and so, you are sure to give them a choice to pick up their own personal tech things when you are so fondly using the cool gadgets. As such, a research says, children whose mothers frequently used a cellphone during pregnancy were 80 percent more likely to have emotional, social and behavioral problems, including hyperactivity. These same women use cell phones even after the birth. The researches found that significant levels of electromagnetic radiation from the phones did penetrate the human body, and argued that until more research was done the gadgets should be considered dangerous. children's brains were more susceptible to the radiation than those of adults, and advised parents to ban younger children from using the phones regularly.

However, this is not to be if parents themselves do not understand the seriousness of it.

As for children using cell phones in schools, I hear some schools this year are putting a ban of using cell phones and ipods in schools. Linton-Stockton High School  have taken strict measure as not to electronic device during school hours and that which is not related to educational function.  Children are often found to text msg, chat for long hours and even take pictures out of way. Children were found to be putting notes in ipod and listen to it while taking tests.

So there, we need to follow the mobile manners for own self and as well as children. If a child is using a mobile, he should know mobile manners. It's a use of mobile phone only in time of special/urgent needs only. Set a good example and teach them few things if they are using mobiles (Best is 'No mobiles till 16) and don't let them get attracted for the fancy picks.

Few things children using mobiles should know:

1. Protect the mobile numbers. Do not give your no. to everyone. Do not let others see your number. 
2. Do not respond to unwanted SMS or call back for strangers who sms or ring you.
3. Do not give your information to any caller unless you know the person.
4. Know the etiquettes and follow the right use. 
5. All mobiles cost. Use with responsibility and for right purpose.
6. No mobiles to school. If they have anything at all, they can call from school office.

So goes, for the ipods - Let kids use them while they're free and a strict 'NO' while at school.

There's no denying that we live in a dangerous world and that children are overwhelmingly important. A day when our mobiles go off even for a while, we are used to adjust but the next generation is out with the newer technology and its safety more a concern for them right now. Protect kids from the dangers using mobiles.

Let there be a mobile phone free for a week and enjoy with kids, friends and socialize. I am sure, you will be happier to do so - Just like me, chucking away my Blackberry as I stay tuned on the web!

Btw, Google Android launches on 23rd September 08. Though, it may not be available for another month. Here's where you can find all on the new Google Android. Also in Kidsfreesouls You Tube, an earlier G Android video shows all. Enjoy.

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

Television - The 'idiot box' - Kids viewing and Impacts

The first programme on Television  in India - 15^th SEPTEMBER 1959 
-Kidsfreesouls

The first Television Programme started in Delhi on 15^th September 1959. Since then, the so called ‘Idiot Box’ has attracted mass media, glued to its charm with various programmes.

You can read more on this here in Kidsfreesouls news earlier.

Well, Research at the National Institute of Mental Health conducted by Peter Jensen concluded, "Extensive exposure to television and video games may promote development of brain systems that scan and shift attention at the expense of those that focus attention." In countless homes and classrooms, we see children with more impulsive behaviors, less willing and able to persevere through challenging mental tasks, hyperactive, reactive, with little or no impulse control. Research confirms that children who watch TV or play video games for more than two hours daily will most likely exhibit one or more of these characteristics.

Children below 2 should not watch any television, kids older no more than two hours daily of 'quality' programs and television, should be out from children's bedrooms. Research shows that kids who have TV in bedrooms score lower in Maths and language arts test than children without bedroom TVs. A rise in attention problems and difficulty in reading is found among kids who watch more than 3 hours of television and fail in intelligence test! However, there is positive association between children's Educational TV viewing and subsequent academic achievement where kids are found to fair better progress in schools.

I would like to mention a few positive of Television here:

* Television increase a child's range of interest as it exposes him to a wide variety of activities and ranging from cartoons, science, travel, music, etc.

* Television do increase the general vocabulary of children and enhance their skills of communication.

* Television provide opportunities for children to participate - Thus, strive for excellence with their talents, participate, and if not, get inspired by talents of others, learn and be informed.

* Television makes children to imagine and dream as they watch their own cartoon shows and helps them to build concentration, be focused and stimulate their minds.

However, television has it's impact negatively with influence on children of media violence. More viewing leads to effects on healthy child development and the impacts of advertisements are reflected in their various demands and behavior.  As such, this leads to fear syndrome, impulse and aggressive behavior and more with sleep disorders, low grades in schools, health issues, so on.

A survey speaks, almost 68% children from 8-18 years have television in their bedroom, 63% families watch television during meals, 51% television is on, most of the time and on an average, children spend 4 hours a day, watching television, DVDs or playing video games on television-computers. As such, TV plays a big role in our lives. If TV viewing limits are specified, the negative television effects can be minimized. Violent programming including violent Cartoons has a negative impact on children too.

What parents can do? Limit viewing hours? Temptation to fill leisure hours with TV viewing be avoided? Don't occupy child's mind with lot of education stuff that leads to boredom? Think! There must be sure fire way to lessen the TV viewing hours!

Btw, here's to pull the plug on the Violence shows first and focus on:

1. Set limits. Setting limits on television time is very important.

2. Planning. Set the routine of the child and plan his lesson schedules so that he completes his work to be free for his television shows. If his show time is missed, he won't be able to concentrate in his lessons.

3. Decide. Prioritize the channels and let him select his choice as per your list. Guide him to select and explain why the channel show is good for him to view.

4. Participate. Children learn from parents the most as to how you interpret the TV programs you see together. If you forbid children to watch a certain program, try to communicate your reasons. Watch cartoon shows, educational movies together. Children will love watching with you.

5. Resist Commercials. Poor eating habits can be picked up early and with ease as candy and snack food commercials attract kids. When children request food and toys advertised on television, teach kids how television makes them buy things sometimes they don't necessarily need and how advertisers find way marketing their products.

6. Don't Frustrate. Do not be harsh and severe with kids viewing and plug out the cables with disconnection. This will hurt the child. Explain why setting limits is necessary.

7. Check your own Views. Limit viewing when kids around. This means, sacrificing your fav soap operas or movies when children are together. Not necessarily, all shows provide entertainment; they have a bad influence on you too as they are like slow poison affecting the brain and your attitude.

Express your views while allowing children to select programs of their interest and let them make a choice providing Daily Schedule - include daily allowance (extra 15 mins) or Weekly viewing allowance (extra hours). School going children are overloaded with lessons and even home-work hassles take to stress, a few minutes of relaxing, entertainment and playing outdoor is equally necessary. So why not, Set limits to Television viewing and plan a schedule?

(Related articles: In Counselling column)

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

Raold Dahl's Charlie & the Chocolate Factory and writing review Journals

13th September and it's time to take a dip into the world of books by Raold Dahl.

Raold Dahl, a prolific writer of children's stories, adult fiction and film scripts was born on September 13, 1916 in Wales of Norwegian parents. His stories are marked by nightmarish or fantasy elements, grotesque humor and surprise endings. His most popular books for children are Gremlins(1943), James and the Giant Peach (1961) and Charlie & the Chocolate Factory (1964).

Dahl's adult fiction includes the short story collections Kiss Kiss (1960), Tales of the Unexpected (1979) and Raold Dahl's Books of Ghost Stories (1983). He wrote the screen plays for the James Bond film 'You only live Twice' (1967) and the Children's classic 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968)

Raold died in 1990 leaving behind his books that find place on top shelves in kids rooms.Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang has always remained on Top of Charts in Kidsfreesouls Library & gets It is cherishing the memories of childhood days and reading the Children's Literature. An all time classic for all ages. Never miss out the fun Reading Raold Dahl and yeah, don't miss to read 'Famous Five' - The Great Enid Blyton too!

Here's the review of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory:
A true star of Children's Literature.Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a singular delight, crammed with mad fantasy, childhood justice and revenge, and as much candy as you can eat. Willy Wonka opens the gate of his Chocolate Factory to the five 'Lucky Winners' who finds the golden ticket wrapped in a Wonka Chocolate. Charlie is poor and gets only one Chocolate bar a year! One day he finds a dollar bill in the snow and buys himself a chocolate bar. Luck favours him as this contains the fifth golden ticket. The fantasy tour of Charlie begins with the other four winners - Mike Teaves who lives for TV, Veruca Salt, a brat who lives with bratty parents, Violet Beaguragarde, a girl who love gum and Augustus Gloop who would just eat anything! Dahl portrays incidents with resourcefulness and humour. Violet blows up into a blueberry from sneaking forbidden chewing gum and Agustus Gloops is carried away on the river of chocolate he would not resist. They have great Adventures and in the end, Wonka gives a big 'Surprise' to Charlie. This is an all time Dahl Classic for all Ages. Kidsfreesouls 'Choice Pick' - Especially for 8-12 years:-)

Well, as I mention Raold Dahl, I am sure many children must be reading their fav choice Authors and fairyland stories. We need to encourage children to write 'Weekly review Journal' of stories they've read with a simple jot down in the scrap like:

Name of the Book
Author's Name
Characters in the Book
Best Part I like
Hard Words in the Book, 
My Opinion or Moral of the story
Lastly, Sign of the Student and Teacher's sign.

Once a week, one review writing and you have 52 reviews ready in a year. Even if the child skips writing, at least there will be 25 book reviews written - five may be beginning efforts but the remaining will be written properly with a little bit of help from the parent or teacher. I have students who've submitted 40 reviews + in a year. In the process, the child improves on reading, narrating and even sharpen language skills and handwriting. If a student dislike review writing, there should be an option to write a letter to a friend telling about the story. Here's Swagat Page with list of students who've read +25 and +40 reviews. You can submit reviews to Kidsfreesouls and get into Global List of Readers on Kidsfreesouls.

You can also set up a Google site during Internet Project and list down all the stories children have read in the weekly library session. Explain the moral values from stories like Frog King, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Cinderella, Snow White, Princess and the Pea and many many more stories. An interactive session with children is always fun and interesting for kids.

Here's my earlier post on 'Reading Aloud' and choosing books. You can watch the video onKidsfreesouls You Tube. And, here's on 'Encourage Reading' and on stories that reflects Moral Values.  Enjoy!

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

James Blunt video with songs and manners worksheet

Here's James Blunt video in Kidsfreesouls You Tube, doing a shaper-sized version of his hit song, "Beautiful" – except now he's singing about a triangle:

This shape was brilliant / This shape was pure.
I saw three angles / Of that I'm sure.
And I saw three pointy corners / And then I saw three straight sides.
The top was very narrow / And the base was oh so wide
(Telly says, "Wait that sounds like…")
A Triangle / My triangle
Oh triangle, it's true.
I saw your shape / In a crowded place
Now I don't know what to do.

And here's a parody from Sesame Street about Counting...in Kidsfreesouls You Tube.

I am sure many of you are fond of Kids Music and maybe music that kids don't like. You can always keep a watch on Kidsfreesouls You Tube as being a Keyboard Player, I taught music to children earlier and you can find my fav music added here. Well, this is the Piano Month and I am sure, a good beginnings goes well with children singing merrily to the tunes they like the most. If you've heard Steven Cravis on Piano, you will sure love to see his new You Tube video on Kidsfreesouls You Tube

Here are some songs for fun and Grammar songs for kids. I will be adding more soon but here's one on 'Manners' and this should be fun singing and role playing, while you can have a 'Manners Session' in the classroom and even circulate a copy of the worksheet here from Grammar Fun-Manners. Here's in Archive also : Manners & kids Games by Hasbro Noodleboro

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

Making Connexions: Parental Guide & Teachers form on 'Child Development Review

New routine and it's time to get the Kids Focused. Make them Set Goals and all about 'Back to School' - managing a bigger role as Guardian of Angels.

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:

1. Describe your child
2. What are your child's strengths
3. What are his hobbies - What he has been doing lately?
4. Does your child have any special problem or disability? Mention.
5. What concerns you have about your child?
6. What other activities does he attend apart from school?
7. Mention what improvement you require in your child.

This will give an insight to know the child, about their learning abilities and methods to adopt while dealing with children. Some kids are fast learners whereas some are branded as slow snail learners. What is required is to identify their weaker areas and diagnose their learning disabilities to apply strategies to combat difficulties.

More, it's to be friendly with kids. Keep the communication live and keep the perfect 'Discipline' in own self as well as the Class.

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