Popeye Cuisine

Love to eat Spinach? Hmm...the Indian food lovers would go for the Spinach Soup or the Palak-paneer veg dish! But if you are fond of the lovely variety dishes of Spinach, here's Popeye's Cuisine - Enjoy.

Popeye, the Sailor man has ever been my favorite and I do have the Desktop screensaver featuring Popeye. When my son was a kid, he never use to eat Spinach and the comic Book Sailor-man inspired a lot. Fondly, he was nicknamed as 'Popeye!'

Popeye, the Sailor with a journey since 1929 featured by King Features first in their daily 'Thimble Theatre' and since then, you can find the best ever Popeye comic strips in newspapers, television, radio, merchandise, comic books and a lot more. Popeye's 75th Anniversary was celebrated in 2004 as he remains the widely recognized and most lovable character. The U.S. Postal Service featured Popeye in its "American Comic Classics" collection of postage stamps issued to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the comic strip. The one-eyed sailor's home town, Chestor, Illinois helds picnic during the weekend after Labor day where all Popeye fans have a great get-to-gether fun.

Popeye has been the perfect Role Model. His motto 'Eat Spinach & beat the Evil' is cherished and liven up through the Popeye series and even today, I am sure, many parents would be saying to their kids, 'Eat your Spinach or Bluto will come....' Here's the wiki on Popeye and here's Cartoon Kids Page with all 5 Stars to the one eyed Sailor man best pick site on web - popeye.com. Enjoy!

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

Literature Profile

W.H. Auden, an English born poet was born in York, England, in 1907 on 20th Feb. He made a remarkable contribution and best known for variety of his works W.H. Auden has written the best ballads, blues, limericks, sonnets, nonsense verse, oratorios, free verse, librettos (words) for operas and dramas.

Here's the Profile for adding to the Literature Scrap Book. Also find, selected poems of W H Auden on Google Search above. And find Quotes of Auden in Quotes Pages.

Well, the last year batch of my Students made a Literature Project. They selected their Literature Characters as John Keats, Robert Browning, William Wordsworth, Lord Alfred Tennyson and Percy B Shelley. It was a difficult Project for them, nevertheless, they collected all the information from the Library Books and added to their Project file. They got to know all the terms used in Poetry - the kinds of Poetry and How to make a Poem too. Here's the Poetry Learning Page and you can Bookmark to find more here in the Kidsfreesouls Poetry Section.

Btw, if you want to make Students to do a Literature Project online, here's My Hero where you can Participate. Guide the children to gather contents and add to My Hero. Well, Find My Hero - Robert Burns here and you can take a Printer Friendly Version to add to your Literature Profiles Scrap Book.

Freak in more to find more poetry and stories on Kidsfreesouls - coming soon! Enjoy!

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

Sidney Sheldon

Born on 17th February 1917, Sidney Sheldon left this world last year on 30th January, leaving a huge fan flow behind him. A crazy fan of Sid books, I have a collection of all his Books and even re-read when I am in a pensive mood.

Sidney Sheldon's first Book, The Naked Face was turned down by five different Publishers but finally, sold to William Morrow Company and it became a critical success which earned him Edgar Allan Poe Award! However, it was The Other Side of Midnight that made him a Best Selling Author. Sidney Sheldon's Novels are published in 51 languages in 180 countries. He always referred, "I try to write my books in such a way so the reader can't put them down" He use to dictate 50 pages a day, corrected next day and continued till he churned out a story with 1200-1500 pages with several re-writes.

Sands of Time is ever my fav read. However, here's some reviews on the Author Profile page.
Btw, you can find Guardian of Angels articles Translated to Romanian Language on the World of Parents 'scoalaparintilor.ro - Romanian site. The links on kidsfreesouls main. For the English versions, you can find the same there. Enjoy.

- ilaxi patel
Ed, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for kids with Resources for Parents and Teachers

Android & Apple's iphone

Google recently provided internal data to New York Times mentioning that Traffic poured in to Google more through Apple's iphone. Google shares a lot of love for the new age phone as even Google Founder Sergey Brin mentioned of using iphone for his personal use. The Google Maps on the iphone and the You Tube are the two best features with the mobi domains coming up to cash in more to Google adsense mobile ads. But than, the Google's own Android is much awaited to offer more features I hear and even Microsoft acquires Danger Inc. which offer handsets and best mobile experience.

Well, when I got to use the iphone, it's been a happy surfing Google which provide great search as well as checking on websites at leisure. I guess, this can be a best gift for a Valentine if your partner is a tech user and of coz, the iphone codes can now be cracked over here with the Apple's exclusive store offering all it's products including even the savvy mobile covers. But, ask me and I would look forward to get an Android - ahead to be with times as you can watch the video on You Tube on Kidsfreesouls.

Btw, here's MSN Contribute where you can log in to write and even blog the posts. You can find my article 'Emotional Switchboard which I posted last year.

- ilaxi patel

Ed, http://www.kidsfreesouls.com/
Newspaper for Kids with Resources for Parents & Teachers

Jules Verne

Five weeks in a Balloon - A rejected essay and finally, written several times! This became success for Jules Verne as his first Novel written with Imagination. And born on February 28, he goes down in Literature History with the famous 'Around the World in Eighty Days' and 'Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea." Probably, a supplement read in all Classrooms.
Here's the Profile of Jules Verne in Literature Pages.

Btw, a video added on You Tube on Kidsfreesouls. Steven Cravis is one of the best musician, so grab a copy of his CDs and music and you'll thank me for the recommendation! Here's Steven Cravis Website and find on My Space list too.

ilaxi patel
Ed, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for Kids with Resources for Parents & Teachers

Charles Dickens

Charles John Huffham Dickens, the famous Novelist was born on 7 February. It might surprise some that he was a Journalist. Charles became a reporter on the Parliamentary newspaper 'True Sun', where his natural talent for reporting and keen observation was first recognized. He taught himself shorthand and, on the Mirror of Parliament, and then the Morning Chronicle, he was soon acknowledged as the best Parliamentary Reporter of the age. Later, he started a daily Newspaper, the 'Daily News' and a weekly Magazine, Household Words. Charles Dickens strove to bring people together and build Interactive understanding of each other.

David Copperfield has ever remained a Best Read and it reflects his own Life. It's a simply great story, romantic but also realistic and believable. It excites all emotions, from rib tickling laughter to tears of pity. Most of the qualities like modesty, frankness, trustworthiness, honesty, goodwill are the ones we admire and his frailties are understandable and endearing. Oliver Twist too, has remained my Best Read and is a widely read Literature Pick. If Charles Dickens was alive, he would be pleased to know that a story which shows, "the principle of Good surviving through adverse circumstance" has remained so popular.

Pick up Charles Dickens and sure, this is the Best Literature Read. Enjoy!

- ilaxi patel
Ed, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for Kids with Resources for Parents and Teachers
Author of : Guardian of Angels

Quotes

As you explore Kidsfreesouls, here's a Quote that says a lot:

"Parents must be both slow and quick - slow to get angry and quick to love and forgive."

Think and Ponder. Let me have your thoughts on this as you go through the old Quotes Page here.

Btw, once I had a discussion with a friend on success and failures. I guess we learn less from success than we do from failure. Failures teach us wisdom and humility and these are the two treasures well worth obtaining.

And believe me, Believe in Yourself and the things you do! We have the power to control our lives and our family do mean a lot than anything above else in the world. And when I speak on family, it's more of closeness, trust and understanding. Many parents do have stress but it's child stress that needs to be focused too. Here's on Parental Stress-Kids Stress. And here's my updated Health Blog on Statesman.com on Sugary Sweet Dizziness.

- ilaxi patel
Ed, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for Kids with Resources for Parents and Teachers
Author of : Guardian of Angels

Sally Anthony's 'So Long' & Kids on Social Networks Safer?

A video every American should see on You Tube below. A song by Sally Anthony and it portrays a Reality of the living condition under President Bush Government since last 8 years! After years, Bin Laden is not captured, Gas prices rising, House values going down, Insurance premiums going up, Health and public school system in shambles - a lot of things put into perspective.

Well, why go in debt for a war? The video gives chills and it's sad to see people victimized. Here's an article on Kidsfreesouls on War Terror. We need to follow the Action Call and spread for peace!

Btw, do your kids chat on Yahoo Messengers or the like? A recent study by Michele Ybarra, founder of Internet Solutions for Kids, a company that helps design safe Web sites for children finds, Social networking sites like My Space and Facebook are better than IM and chatrooms. Ybarra's team collected data on 1,588 children aged 10 to 15 years old. In a survey, the children were asked about their online experiences over the past year. Among these children, 15 percent said they had an unwanted sexual solicitation. Only one-fourth of these occurred on a social networking site.In addition, 33 percent said they were harassed online. About one-fourth of the incidents occurred on a social networking site.

Read more here on Washington Post. Parents and teachers need to guide the kids to adopt Technology gracefully and keep an open eye to their activities on the web. They need to follow the safety rules themselves and help the kids to follow safe surfing rules on the web. Communication with children is always interactive learning and finding better ways to make children follow safety tips. Here's Safe Teens website I thought you may find useful apart from the links you find in my earlier notes. And here's Email and Chat etiquettes tips on kidsfreesouls.

- ilaxi patel
Ed, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for Kids with Resources for Parents and Teachers
Author of Guardian of Angels

Google news & counselling pages update

Kids get exercise from Video Games. What do you say? Well, when I first played a Computer games, it was endless playing with later, the Playstation 2 games. We always believe, kids get couch potato as they watch a lot of television or play long hours on computers. However, according to a new study in the journal "Pediatric exercise science" some of these games give kids as much exercise as walking, skipping, even jogging!

Check on the updated Google News page to read more on this. And here's on Games for kids - Games are a surefire way to get your child interested in computers. With fascinating multimedia, puzzles to solve, Grammar skills, aliens to kill, different levels to cross, and ultimately win, games have the power to teach the child in many different ways. Unfortunately they also have the mesmerizing power to keep him glued to the computer. To top it all, most games only seem to have a lot of violence. But all games aren't like that. So how do you figure out which game is fine for your child, and which isn't? Find out more here, an article from my book Guardian of Angels.

Btw, The Counselling pages at Kidsfreesouls.com is now active with Kirandeep's answers and you can find the recent question by a student as below:

I am a student of class 10. I am working very hard on my academics. I study for five hours daily besides my school time. The problem with me is that I forget what I have studied. I just black out and don’t seem to remember even what I had studied very well. I need to study the chapter once again to remember it better. But that wastes a lot of my time. Can you tell me ways in which I can study and remember better? Thank you. - Natasha, Pune.

Click for the Counselling Pages to read more. Keep the Faith.

- ilaxi patel
Ed, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for kids with resources for parents and teachers
Author of Guardian of Angels

Monthly Project

30th January and it was Gandhi Nirvan Day or call it, Martyrs Day too.

The vedic verse chanted at Gandhiji’s Funeral pyre:In the midst of death, life persists, In the midst of untruth, truth persists, In the midst of darkness, light persists, Hence I gather that God is Life, Truth, Love. -Mahatma Gandhi

And today, we find in the news, the controversy that hovers round what words Gandhi said when Godse killed him. Whether he said, "Hey Ram' or whether his last words were "aah" as Godse mentioned.

Whatever, the light has gone from our lives but we still have the Inspirations and teachings of Gandhiji. However, so difficult to adhere to the rules of Gandhian living in today's time! Here's Gandhiji pages on Kidsfreesouls Literature.

Btw, February is the month for Children Dental Health and also for all the fluttering souls, the Valentine month. Most noteworthy is February stand for the American Heart Month. While we exercise, it's most important to know the difference between being healthy and being fit. Many of us are fit but not healthy and the vice versa. You can find the February Month Project and February calendar too.

And, Here's a note I just wrote on my Statesman Health Blog after a long period. Keep Fit, Keep Healthy!

- ilaxi patel
Ed, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for Kids with Resources for Parents and Teachers
Author of Guardian of Angels

Osho Inspirations

"Mind is simply a complex machine, which moves from ‘fast forward’ to ‘slow motion’ and even popping into ‘pause’ mode at times. Igniting the creative spark is overflowing of potentialities within to enjoy work to achieve a fulfillment. Time flies and the creativity turns into work mode. If this work becomes slogging, there comes pause mode with a neutral gear. This is the still point when we find ourselves entering into a state of ‘Let go’ doing just nothing, no thoughts, no work or any creativity. It leads to experience existence, the nature and enjoying the state of paradise with awareness. The mind is rejuvenated and back again to explore work with creativity to ultimate flowering."

My words with Osho Inspirations. And, exactly I did this with two days holidays and my computer again giving me jerks as my ISP facing the routers problems.

Btw, do you meditate? I asked some children what exercise they perform while at school. They showed me a couple of exercises and one was raising hands and saying, 'Ha, ha, ha'. To my surprise, they had too much stress on their small minds while they said, ha ha ha. I asked them what is that and they smiled saying, it's laughing! Ugh, do we laugh with so much stress, I wonder. Well, Here's Osho Meditation tips and tricks and you can try out the easier ways. Here's just a reverse of laughing Meditation and we call it, 'Boiling Mad' - hotting things up for the Busy people.

And 27th January 1832 was the day when Lewis Caroll was born. A British Author, well known for her children's Literature. Alice in Wonderland has always been the fav classics and here's teacher Resources page on web. You may find more through the above Google search too.

Well, with 'The Republic day' just gone, three days later, 29th January, there is spectacular celebrations with ‘Beating Retreat’ at Vijay Chowk in New Delhi. 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. 'Abide with me' 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. Here's the The Republic day page with the song. Enjoy!

- ilaxi patel
Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for Kids with Resources for Parents and Teachers
Author of : Guardian of Angels

Children & Health

Child Well-being and it matters the most. Three things have to be the utmost priority - Health, Education and Safety. If we were to provide this in our best way, we have a better future for them and us too. In US, every week, 15,168 children use mental health services. The figures do not stop here as we find, a 16,404 children homeless every day! More of them live in poverty, abuse state or neglect.

The CCC - Citizen's Committee for Children is working round the clock for the welfare of children to secure every child's Birthright. It would be a great Initiative if this kind of service is seen through in countries like Africa and India.

Btw, any time is a good time for children to rhyme. A way for healthy children is way to laugh, sing and be merry. Mary Ann Hoberman is writing poems and rhyming stories for children and has become a lifelong storyteller since the day she published her first book, "All My Shoes Come in Twos." It is quite interesting to know how she became and Author and here's a link there's a linko find out.

You can find the Counselling pages here on Kidsfreesouls and if you have any concerns of child Health problems, do send your query. You may also feel free to visit Dr. Greene who is featured as Parenting Expert on the New York Times. for a scoop or two. And here's Recipe for Life - A Home where the Heart is. Keep the Faith!

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

Italian Book & Kids Counselling pages

As I worked on surfing the Italian websites, it is amazing to translate and get acquainted to a foreign language with the Google Translate tool. The reason being was, as an Official Blogger, I had to update the launch of the book Blood Brothers which got published in Italian language as "Fratelli de Sangue."

Well, writing, designing and updating is a process which goes simultaneously as a Journalist and web presence provides a lot of opportunities to get aware and updated.

In a round the clock schedule, here's the updated Counselling pages on Kidsfreesouls.com. I also present Kirandeep Kaur, a Counsellor to attend Counselling queries of many Parents, teachers and kids. I fail to reply to many counselling questions I receive by email. Now, this won't happen! There won't be missed out mails.

We see children and teenagers who are experiencing withdrawal problems like stammering, fear, anxiety, anger, shame, guilt, selfishness, attitude & behavior patterns, ego, inferiority complexes, attention deficit problems, hyper active, memory loss, etc. Even facing Social difficulties, friendship issues, stress, Drug and Alcohol problems, family Separation, late developmental problems, and learning inefficiency. There are even factors related to plus and minuses on the job that affect personality.

We cannot address the Counselling as setting up an Institute as I am involved in many other fields. But, I do hope, whatever our answers be, they may help the troubled minds. Here is the Counselling Page of Kirandeep along with her Bio and here's my Counselling page on Kidsfreesouls.com. We commit to excel and so we, commit to reply as time permits. Stay tuned.

- ilaxi patelEditor, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for Kids with Resources for Parents and Teachers
Author of Guardian of Angels

Fitness & health tip by Sunita Williams

One of the most important things for kids to think about today is physical fitness and their health. They can't achieve if their health is not in good order. We have every ability to take care of it ourselves. This is your body, no matter, how taller, smaller, older, young you are. Physical fitness is very important in your lifestyle." said Sunita Williams during her last visit to Ahmedabad at a Felicitation function on 22nd September 2007.

Well, early influences plays lasting roles. Fitness becomes a way of life. But, there's mind over muscles. One got to decide to be fit and exercise. Joggers like their sports which requires less than an hour, running shoes and maybe open road. With a friend, it's always fun. The prescription for well being is simple: exercise, a feel good and feel fit factor. Jim Thorpe, excelled in a dozen sports and such people are blessed with many natural motor skills which perfectly match the sports they chose and an uncanny knack for learning quickly. It's here to Honing the Athletic skills. Honing the sports spirits too. Positive coaching begins at home. Parental role plays an important part to get children indulge into the game of sports to keep healthy.

Btw, here's the video you must have watched on Kidsfreesouls video Page earlier on child obesity in Canada. Here's to inspire and encourage children to 'keep fit, keep healthy'. Also find Sunita Williams more pics on the Nasa page on kidsfreesouls. Enjoy!

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

Presidential campaign and priorities

The internet has now become a leading source of campaign news for young people. It is living up to its potential as a major source for news about the presidential campaign. Moreover, the role of social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook is a notable part of the story. As per the Pew Internet Research, 42% of those ages 18 to 29 say they regularly learn about the Presidential campaign from the internet, the highest percentage for any news source. In January 2004, just 20% of young people said they routinely got campaign news from the internet.

And here's the Environment column as to "Where do the leading presidential candidates stand on the issue of climate change and other environmental issues?"

The 2008 presidential election could very well have a big impact on a wide range of environmental issues, especially climate change. Hillary Clinton is concerned and given a prime importance to Environment as a first lady and focused on environmental effects on children’s health. She's worked with Senator Boxer to propose the Children's Environmental Protection Act, a bill to require the government to set health and safety standards at levels that protect children. Energy Independence and Global warming will be the two top most priorities for her.
A lot more what others have to say and you find the Environment column with concerns of Global warming.

The recent Fourth International Conference on Environmental Education was held in Ahmedabad from 26th-28th November for a sustainable future. Though I do not find Politicians here much involved in Environment and Global changes concerns, here's the CEE dedicated to global warming concerns. Their new project 'Increase your Handprint, decrease your Footprint' is aiming to make the world more sustainable. You need to ask yourself what you do at individual, community, national and global level. The handprint analyses your positive impact on the three aspects of sustainability: environment, society and economy. Check here for their new website to be launched and if you are a Web Designer, apply soon to join their project.

Protecting our environment with necessary safeguards is of the utmost importance. We owe a clean and pollution free environment to future generations.

- ilaxi patel
Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for Kids with Resources for Parents & Teachers
Author of : Guardian of Angels

Happy Uttarayan

Happy Uttarayan. The festive spirits reigns high in town today with windy weather and people on the terraces flying kites and eating a lot of stuff like undhiya, jalebi, gajar halwa and chikis, what not.....as I sneak in for a sunny afternoon break to spare a few moments here. Many NRIs and foreigners are here in Gujarat for the celebrations of International Kite festival as you can read here on Kites page on Kidsfreesouls. We have a group of 30 friends whom we meet at a friend's place and another 20 more coming to our house from morning - so it's like whole day too much fun on the terrace. And again, the evening in just another fifteen mins is going to be tea time with snacks for all.

The best part is togetherness - Family and friends have get togethers with lot of sharing fun. Freak in for the Kites page and find news and quotes there. Enjoy.

- ilaxi

Should we ban kids from Games till they're seven?

Should we ban kids from games till they're seven? The commercial ads exploit children with smarter games ending up to be dumber children, says the psychologists. Educational psychologist Jane Healy said research indicated that computer games fuelled the development of basic "flight or fight'' instincts rather than considered reasoning. Barbie, Bratz dolls and Penguin club have a number of Internet kid members. In Australia, a survey states, 49% children spare their free time using electronic devices such as TVs, iPods, mobile phones, computers and gaming devices. They have a healthy tech use. You can even read here on Google News on this.

Well, all I think is Change with the Change but Is Computing safe for Kids? One needs to follow the healthy computing rules too. Here's the article Is Computing safe for Kids to think over. And here's Games for Kids on Kidsfreesouls.

Btw, here is Jay's site with games and reviews. Enjoy.

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

Voice of Ancient Rishis of Vedas

"Arise! Awake! Stop not till the goal is reached" - said Swami Vivekanand, an Indian philosopher and social reformer, whose birthday falls on 12th January. He was the Voice of the Ancient Rishis of the Vedas, speaking sweet works of love and toleration, as quoted by The Brooklyn Standard.

Here's the Profile of Swami Vivekanand with useful links.

Btw, have you set your goals or call them resolutions for 2008? Set them right away. However, here's tips on Setting Goals which may be helpful to all.

And here's the world's cheapest 'people's car' with a price tag of Rs.1.35 lac and ready to roll on Indian streets. You can read more on my Biz site here and watch for the Deal of the Month - of coz, the choice goes to Hyundai i10.

This draws my attention to a debate as I spotted on Times Now with an aggressive Suhel Seth encountering with Environmentalist Pauchuri, Suneeta Narain and others. Well, the environmentalist are seriously concerned with the Nano emitting pollution and congestion on roads. Suhel Seth thinks of development and so do I. However, it's a concern, indeed. Day has come when my milkman, laundry man, newspaper vendor, office peon, servant may come by Nano! What do you think? Where were the environmentalists when scooters, bikes, rickshaws and even maruti 800 rolled on the streets? Feel free to let your voice opine here to leave a comment. A good topic for 'Debate in classrooms' - The debate sure makes a child 'speak out' and build confidence to opine his voice.

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

Reading news

Been to the Kids Section on Kidsfreesouls lately? Well, here's the BBC News for kids - It makes me wonder, how many children read newspapers? And even if they do, what do they read and are they really reading? If you are a parent or a Teacher, it will surprise you that many children do not even read the story books! Ask kids to narrate and write reviews - many fail to do so! Best way, is to conduct an interactive news read and supplement read session in the classroom or explore the kids supplement together. Further, make the kids write the news pieces in their scraps and if they read stories, encourage them to write the reviews.

Whenever I visit my Club (Sports club), I find children playing games on computers or checking on mails and pasting scraps on social networks. And there's no monitoring too and they can open any site! Why, even in Classrooms, children are mostly talking of games and movies and songs. News for them, means no direction - East, west, north or south! Children should be encouraged in schools to read out news. We've weekly news read sessions and children prepare the weekly news and read out aloud. Even they have loud reading story sessions in the class. This creates awareness and for some children, stage fright or performance anxiety is reduced with this habit. All we need is to pencil in 'chores' on kids' schedules and add regular kids news reading and reading a story before sleep every day - This should be a 'MUST' apart from many other activities they do.

Well, here's a fun, games and trivia site for all children whom I find busier playing at home or clubs. Enjoy!

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

Poetry Soup

Poetry writing is Imaginary, a word play and dreamy thoughts. I write my poems randomly, attempting to rhyme and verse with word play and thereby reading and referring poems of many poets too when I have some time to explore.

When I ever wrote poetry, the first thing that I thought of was 'Sounds'. We use sounds and words to create effects in poetry. The most common method I guess all follow is Rhyme. If the words at the ends of two or more lines of a poem rhyme, the poem has a rhyme scheme. I remember "Pied Beauty" in which the poet Gerard Hopkins used a rhyme scheme - words like things, wings - swim, trim.

Glory be to God for dappled things-for skies of couple-colour as a brinded cow;
For rose-moles all in stipple upon trout that swim;
Fresh fire-coal chestnut falls, finches' wings;
landscape plotted and pieced - fold, fallow and plough;
And all trades, their gear and tackle and trim.

I think, we need to teach children the basics of rhyming words first and provide them a vocabulary of all words that rhyme. Before embarking on a poem to weave, the kids need to have the Poetry Soup and use the ingredients to stir them well.

Well, here's the new Poetry pages - You can even email your poems to appear on the Readers' contribution page if selected. Watch the space as I will be adding Poetry Comprehension to appear on Grammar Fun Worksheets too.

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

Pleasures of Melancholy

The English Poet, Thomas Wain Warton was born on 9th January 1728. He wrote Pleasures of Melancholy at the age of seventeen. As Oxford was his home, he wrote a poem in praise of Oxford, The Triump of Isis. Though, I do not have a profile of this Poet, you may dig for links on above search. You may find other Literature Profiles here on kidsfreesouls.

Well, here is excerpts of the Pleasures of Melancholy on the web for your reference.

Btw, 6th Jan was Birthday of Sherlock Holmes! Here's the fictional detective of late 19th and 20th century, Sherlock Holmes on Kidsfreesouls in case you missed out. You can even find some of the Detective sheets 'You Be the Detective' to solve here. Enjoy!

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

Monthly Project & Grimm's Fairy Tales

Jakob Grim was born on 4th Jan. who gave us beautiful fairy tales. How oft we remember dreaming - day dreams as a child and letting our imagination run wild! The Grimm's Fairy Tales are all *Five* Favourite Stars in my Read and Make Read collection in my Library. Some of my fav stories are:

1. Hansel & Gretel
2. Red Riding Hood
3. Snow White
4. Rumpelstiltskin
5. Cinderalla
6. Sleeping Beauty

Many More...you name it and these stories make your dreams sound true! Children love to read and listen. Even write reviews. This book is a famous collection of German Folk Tales by two brothers Jakob and Wilhelm Grimm. The first volume contained 86 tales and the second 70 and the last around 210 tales. The translations are perfect in this book and and took minute care to language details. The Grimms had taken pains to collect the tales mainly from friends and acquaintances who lived in and around a place called kassel in Germany and printed as expression of the spirit of german people. These retold stories with their own versions, the brothers have come out to suit public taste and their ideas about telling tales effectively. The translator Ralph Manheim has taken pains equally in translations! I recommend a 'Sure Sure Pick' whether one is a kid or a teen or even an Adult. Nothing like these stories will ever take you on a trip to wonderland! My Choice, of coz!

A note to repeat every year coz Grimm's fairy tales rocks! You can find the January Month Project here on the Projects Page. Children can dive into imagination and churn out a story but if not, collect a few Grimm's Fairy tales and have fun reading, narrating, writing reviews and even pasting stickers in their scraps from the stickers page. Enjoy!

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

Your Sunsign Character & Number

As the new year heralds, you must have read your Yearly Forecast in the newspapers. However, here's Sun sign Characters and here's Kidsfreesouls Predictions, what Numbers say for you and what color means.

Kidsfreesouls Prediction: Sun sign Characters What is Your Favourite Color? Kidsfreesouls Chiero Reading : What is your Number?

George Bernard Shaw said once, "This is the true job of life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one, the being thoroughly worn out before you are thrown on the scrap heap, the being a force of nature instead of a feverish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy" - A wonderfully appealing ideal of life found in these words.How about that one for one of our aims for the New Year? Thank you from the bottom of the heart for all readers for your continuous support and visits on kidsfreesouls and it's a delight to remain on # one on the Search engines. Here's a Reader Award for you:-)

And, at the start of the New Year, here's Ted's Blogging for Business and free articles for your reference. Well, Evolution Revolution and with a link from Ted's Blog, you have a new video here on You Tube below, on how Monkeys can use social media flash cards to explain social media to management. Enjoy!

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

New Year Resolutions

Have you made your Resolution for the New Year 2008? If not, here's to Make Resolutions - Build Arks of Future with a very Happy New Year 2008 wishes. And here's a profile on Robert Burns with the Auld Lang Syne song.

And here's the updated Environment section with an Environment related question esp. for Teachers. Always a concern - what activities to choose for the Environment club.

"We just started an environmental club at our high school. What issues and activities do you recommend we get involved with to make the most difference? - Kurt Perry, Cedar Park, TX"

Click here for the answer on the Environment pages. For the Spanish, read here.

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

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas & Happy 2008. May Your Dreams Come True.......May Happy hours and sweetest flowers be strewn along Life's way for you, UnceasinglyAnd may the light of love burn bright As god's own starsWhich shine for you, Unchangingly!

Christmas is a time of joy and getting all the blessings from above. While in school, we had a Confession Box and one of our sisters use to sit behind and encourage the sinner kid to confess her wrong doing. We had strong faith and we were taught moral science as a subject. This helped us in being nicer and believe in the power of the word of god. I happened to visit the Online Bible Radio . Like 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 thats so much easier too.

Here's again Christmas time full of joy and happy memories, we have the late night mass with the holy birth of christ and happy holidays. Merry Christmas to all who pass by Kidsfreesouls and may there be a guiding light to bring peace and joy.

Here's Christmas Pages on Kidsfreesouls. I've added Bible stories a day especially for those who love to read the Bible stories and as I celebrate while getting me lot of gifts and plum cakes too, you surf away to find my earlier Christmas newsletter too. Enjoy!

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

Silent Night

Did you know, the carol-Hymn "Silent Night, Holy Night" was originally written in German as "Stille Nacht". The carol has been translated in 300 languages in the world and you can find 193 versions of Silent Night in 130 languages over here.

Here's the tune of Silent Night on Kidsfreesouls with lyrics and as the Kids were so happy to jot down the notes in their Scrap books. They even sang while they wrote! Nope, we have Indian children who are singing the hymn but it's a faith so strong and a keen interest to learn and know about the faith of other religions too.

Cross faith culture is always so live in Gujarat and many gujaratis too celebrate Christmas here. The schools are found to be spreading the word of the Lord and children excitedly participate in the wonders of making a crib, decorating a tree and listening to stories of Bible. Especially, the Inn-keeper Mark's goodness and the birth of Christ.

There was a Christmas Choir Festival on Dec.22, 2007 at the Loyola Diamond Jubilee Hall organized by the St. Xavier's Institute of Performing Arts in Ahmedabad. The objectives of the society are to bridge people through song, to develop young talent in good music by conducting talent concert and Children's Choir Festivals. The Choral Ensemble was established by a group of like minded individuals in 2006 led by Fr.Vincent D'souza and the members are from different religious and ethnic backgrounds who have come together to pool the talents.

Anyways, here's the Christmas Pages and the Carol Page with 'Silent Night, Holy Night.' And here's the Culture Page with Krishna, Ram, Ramzan and many more religious info. Enjoy!

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

Be Happy Attitudes

At Christmas time, here's a message - It's Attitudes that always count. The Magic rules to be Happy-Attitude Makes a Difference!

Find a review of The Be (Happy) Attitudes: 8 Positive Attitudes That Can Transform Your Life (Paperback) by Robert Schuller here on the Beatitudes Page. If you really want to read the 'right stuff' - adopt a 'Go for it' Attitude towards your life and dreams.

Here's the Be Happy - Beatitudes Page on Christmas and Attitudes article. Also find Beatitudes for Children to print and pin up in your Child's room - Enjoy!

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

Perfect Dance for You

Christmas is round the corner. So, what's the perfect dance steps for you this christmas?

Well, Dance on the floor this Christmas with special dance steps to suit you - as per your Sun Sign. I recommend 'What's the perfect dance for you'. However, if you think you do not have a dance class nearby, just hop on to one of the catchy numbers and start warming up!

Here's Christmas Pages on Kidsfreesouls. I've added Bible stories a day especially for those who love to read the Bible stories.

Btw, Carol singers herald start of the Christmas season here as YMCA club in town organized a special show. Melodious carols were sung by 22 groups of singers who showed their choir singing talents. Dressed in festive spirits, 300 youngsters representing schools and churches participated in Carol singing.

As I look forward to decorate my Christmas Tree and make the crib, I'm sure, there's a cheerful festive spirit at your end too. Here's Christmas Pages. Enjoy!

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

Parents and Media responsible

Parents are the ultimate teachers of the world to kids is the ultimate Opinion you find in Google News. They are more responsible in providing world information to children and guide them in every aspect from academic to choosing creativity or even getting informed on various topics. The media is also equally responsible as children are watching and reading.

The recent election in my town had a wonderful civic lesson to children who got aware of the Voting rights. The civic lesson do not end to academic and this extended beyond, as the awareness made parents talking to children on development issues and voting rights. The political party leaders waged a word war but awareness made the children asking, 'Whom will you vote - the BJP or the Congress' and to my surprise, all the Swagat Children excitedly spoke on the development of my state. They were not all concerned with the past dark events or the past riots held in the state but instead argued, since last election, we have no riots.

As such, media do make a hype on sensational news, pop, politics or crime and investigative stories. However, it's up to parents and educators to provide the right picture. Get them involved for debates and talk of concerned issues too. Parents need to take out time and so do the educators need to guide the students as they learn the academic lessons.

Well, 17th Dec has been the day for the first flight by the Wright brothers. A day when men first flew! Here is the White House Proclamation 'Wright Brothers Day'. Enjoy!

- ilaxi patel
Ed, http://www.kidsfreesouls.com/
Newspaper for Kids with Resources for Parents and teachers
Author of : Guardian of Angels

Jane Austen, an Amazing Romance writer

Pride and Prejudice and we always have Jane Austen's name on our lips but it's a Bollywood treat she gets in 21st century movies with the Bride and Prejudice - a movie performed by Aishwarya Rai and Martin Henderson.



Jane Austen was an amazing romance writer and the characters and feelings reach indepth as we read through the pages. Emma was Jane's fourth and last book she wrote, published a year ago before she died. In 1815, 2000 copies were printed and she earned less than 40 pounds then. Though, it earned more after her death.

The six volume set of Oxford Illustrated Jane Austen is a best pick for the Literature fans. It has all works; Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Emma, Mansfield Park, Northanger Abbey and persuasion and Minor works. Here's the Oxford University Press site and click to India site too.

You can find Jane Austen's profile here on Kidsfreesouls Literature pages and even find links to her books. Jane Austen was born on December 16.

- ilaxi patel
Ed, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for Kids with Resources for Parents and Teachers
Author of : Guardian of Angels

Authors Birth-dates

John Milton and Emily Dickinson are the two poets born in December. The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson is one of the best picks in Swagat Library along with others. Emily wrote close to two-thousand poems, only seven were published during her lifetime. After Dickinson’s death her sister, Lavinia, discovered hundreds of poems in her room. Lavinia persuaded an editor and a family friend to publish the verses. “Poems” is the first published collection of her work, consisting of 125 short poems.




Here's the Profile of John Milton whose birthday I missed on 9th December and Emily Dickinson's Profile here and her Birthday falls on 10th December. Isn't this great to celebrate Birthdays of great Literature Characters? Well, check this out as you also find the updated Google news on the Kidsfreesouls-Google news pages. Enjoy!

- ilaxi patel
Ed, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for Kids with Resources for Parents and Teachers
Author of Guardian of Angels

Games & Noise

Noise Pollution and are we concerned when we listen to music? Especially, children today get to listen to their ipods and are fond of the High School Musical Guitar. Toys are a craze with the kids as so are the video games that rock kids like the Guitar Hero III - Legends of the Rock for PC with a Jam session to 70 different songs.

Ipods and mp3s have potential for harm to kids. Constant listening to the rock n rhyme do injure the cells in longer run. High decibel sound is always damaging. Children are very sensitive to toys and other devices that emit loud and high pitch sounds or that rely on earphones. Research done by University of California reveals an alarming result with decibels and charts out High School Musical Rockerz Jammin Guitar to top the list with 106 decibels. This is followed by Cheetah Girls in Concert collection Doll, Hannah Montana and even Tickle Me Elmo which topped 100 decibels at full volume.



Well, it's more on parental influence and educating a child as to what is safe for them and what isn't. What needs supervising the child while at play and making them use products which are not potentially harmful. Too much love and too much pampering lead to too much offering - as such, children are apt to follow herd mentality and convince parents to buy the products what is in demand and what their friends play. However, safe monitoring and role playing helps children to select better toys and games.

Here's top ten games I listed earlier and games to choose for kids. Enjoy!

- ilaxi patel
Ed, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for kids with resources for parents and children
Author of : Guardian of Angels

Started in a Garage!

Making a Cartoon requires a person to be creative - a bit humorous, alert and a keen observer. Necessarily, a Cartoonist need not be an Artist but the feeling comes from within, just an idea and an imagination and one can do the tricks - Ask any kid!

Maybe, this is how we see the Walt Disney Characters so appealing and Walt Disney who was born on 5th December 1901, drew Mickey Mouse, the first cartoon which became ideal for animation. Walt Disney had first started his studio in a Garage - a so alike fact of Google founders who even opened its door at Menlo Park in a Garage!

Here's the profile of Walt Disney on the Cartoon Fun page. Even find the Snow White sheet for coloring from the Grammar Fun worksheet pages. You can also visit the Cartoon Factory and enter into the You can do it page and draw cartoons using numbers, letters and common every day shapes. This is much fun and I've tried a hand on this.

Kids Free Souls, get those pencils and use your whacky brains, stuff the funniest ideas and swing ahead to give the strokes of sheer joy to draw. Enjoy!

- ilaxi patel

Ed, http://www.kidsfreesouls.com/
Newspaper for Kids withs Resources for Parents and Teachers

Author of : Guardian of Angels

Learn and Teach Singing to kids

Are you a parent? Learn to Read, Sing if you've left behind the joys of life! A national parents academy in UK is all set to train teachers, psychologists and social workers to intervene in the lives of families and become the 'parenting workforce'. Children need to develop emotional intelligence and flexibility along with good problem solving and interpersonal skills too.

Kidsfreesouls features Grammar songs and songs for children on its pages. It is found that most of the Indian kids who are studying in English medium schools sing filmy songs and regional language songs. When kids in Swagat wanted to sing, I was quite pleased to allow them to do so. But, to my dismay, they began with the Hindi filmy songs one can't imagine that they knew the words by heart! As such, I taught them simple songs in English in the Swagat class room. They enjoy not only music but also develop an accent for speech. Why parents, even the teachers need to learn the songs for children and the yester year songs which had real meaning to the words. Songs like, Do re me and Sound of music movie songs, songs of My Fair Lady..remember that 'Lots of chocolates..?' and Papa who loves mama or the Lemon tree, etc. I also recommend the Pogo channel featured songs of Hi Fi, the Australian group and these songs are just great singing to be taught to school children. The double the Fun album of Hi Fi is at the best - Btw, the Highschool Musical 2 is the latest hit that is becoming fav amongst children here. Of coz, in Hindi, the presentation is by the famous Shanker-Ehsan-Loy and John. You can listen and watch a track here on You Tube. Also find more on Highschool Musical 2 on the Google Search. Enjoy!

- ilaxi patel
Ed, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for kids with resources for parents and teachers
Author of: Guardian of Angels

Computer Literacy Month

Computer Literacy Day - 2nd December was proclaimed by British Columbia here and even NIIT set the path of observing Computer Literacy Day in 2001. You can find the pics here of the day's Events at various places in India with NIIT Computer Literacy Day attended by CM Narendra Modi.

What's so surprising is, aren't these days just the days of Observances? The show is over for a year and the profits seen rolling later on with not a mention of World Computer Literacy Day!
Well, 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. Why, you can watch a You Tube video.

Btw, You Tube is not a safe site when Children are given projects. The best option is to download the video on the computer for presentation in classroom. You can find a help here on how to follow this. Some teachers in Britain last year had children targetting them on You Tube. 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.

Rightly said by a leading Educationist Mr. Rajabhai Pathak in a press report (TOI) today on 'Schools gaining PCs but losing Playgrounds.' The Educational scenario is completely transformed and on the back seat goes, reading and sports! Director of Sattva Vikas School and Udgam School, Rajabhai is now an Advisor to the NCERT for Computer Education in Schools. Check the print newspaper to read of search Google above to find the article on TOI. Enjoy!

-ilaxi patel
Ed, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for kids with resources for parents and teachers
Author of: Guardian of Angels

Stop Aids

World Aids Day was on December 1 Make a Difference, Shine a Light on HIV/Aids. Stop the Virus. Kidsfreesouls lighted the 14185th Light to Fight two year ago. Last year, 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. This Year, the Kidsfreesouls Light is 6837th light to support the initiative.

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.

More than 11,000 children are affected by HIV Aids and children represent a significant number of cases. In India, Gujarat is rising to a higher position with highest number of HIV Aids cases and a major risk is for children who are innocent and fall a prey to this disease recently though the exact numbers are not known. HIV Aids is not curable although there are various treatments. A Doctor's advice is the best option.

Btw, NACO and NFHS (National Aids Control Organisation and National Family Health Survey) has revealed the HIV/AIDS cases in India has considerably lowered at around 2.47 m, almost half the estimated 5.3 m. However, youth indulge in serious risk to catch the infection. It is alarming to know as per the Report of ActionAid and VSO, UK, nearly 40 pc of those contacting the HIV virus in India are women. Over a 21,000 children are affected this year compared to the previous number above.

Well, join the campaign if you wish or at least, be aware, beware! Aids can Kill and spread the message to 'Think, Stop, Be Aware, Beware of Aids.

Web Resources Government of India www.goidirectory.nic.in/ National AIDS Control Organisation www.nacoonline.org/ CDC Global AIDS Program in India The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is one is the principal agency in the United States government for protecting the health and safety of all. www.cdc.gov/nchstp/od/gap/countries/india.htm

- ilaxi patel
Ed, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for kids with Resources for Parents and Teachers

Profile of Louisa May Alcott & Fav classics

Here's my Childhood Fav Classics with the added upcoming pages of Books & Just Books Here with an Introductory Index. Though, the Book sections for Parents-Teachers and Kids are not yet designed, I am sure you will find a world of Information over here on books.

Anyways, have you read The Little Women? Louisa May Alcott was born on 29th November 1832 and her Little Women was the most well-known American Novels which tell the story of the life of Jo March and her three sisters — Meg, Beth, and Amy. Here's the Profile and a part of 'Little Women' on Kidsfreesouls Literature Pages. Enjoy!



And here's to vote for Rick Paul at the Indie Islands e-Magazine!

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

Father's care may harm kid's & cookie-man sets bad example!

November month has come to an end with a great Thanksgiving parade at the Macy's on 28th Nov. in NY city. You can find a good deal of info on the Balloon characters here on the wiki.

Well, recently a survey says, 'Father's care may harm kid's intelligence'. Scientists at Bradford University in Britain looked at the early childcare experiences of over 6000 children born in the early 1990s who lived at least their early lives in a household with parents. They check on the evidence to suggest that boys who spent at least 15 hours a week in their fathers care as toddlers perform worse on academic assessments when they start going to school. Some fathers who take care of children are not as intelligent as mothers and this difference is almost likely to be found after the child passes his first birthday!

Do you agree? Let me know What you Think!

And here's a new video added my You Tube Vlog below. Seems the Sesame Street has ever been so popular but now, the Sesame street shows are just for the elders and not suitable for kids! The Cookie Monster has become a problem coz he encourages obesity and Alistair Cookie, used to smoke a pipe before dinner and this pose for modelling 'bad behavior'.

Btw, William Blake who was born in London lived most of his life with powerful Imagination. And as his birthday was on 28th November, here's the Profile re-designed in the Literature pages. Enjoy!

- ilaxi patel

Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com

Newspaper for Kids with Resources for Parents and Teachers

Author of : Guardian of Angels