Kidsfreesouls Timeline

Did I miss the link of Kidsfreesouls Timeline? Well, here's the cool tool to let your users know what you are doing on the web as your Timeline speaks of all the Blog posts you do on your blog. You can create events and add your blog posts and there, once the Timeline is built, there's lot to go with it.

Dipity do the Social Timeline since it's launch in mid March 2008 by three friends who thought of the same product and quit their jobs to start the site. You can read more on this on the Information Week online.

You can find Kidsfreesouls Timeline here and on the main site to explore the Kidsfreesouls Ed posts Timeline.

Btw, did you know Jesus played Cricket as a Child? Till I blog further on this, here's the Christmas pages that might interest some of you. Enjoy!

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

Congratulations Abhinav Bindra for winning the Gold Medal

Kidsfreesouls feel proud with the Achievement of India's Abhinav Bindra who won the Gold Medal in Men's 10 M Air Rifle at Beijing Olympics 2008. Abhinav Bindra had paid a lot of attention towards physical training despite his back injury. He did tough commando training in Germany for three weeks prior to the Olympics. India’s other shooter Gagan Narang was unlucky to not to make it to the finals.

Well, here's the Lenovo website - (Voices of the Olympic Games: Follow Lenovo's athlete bloggers on their journey in Beijing - Hear their voices). Abhinav Bindra is one of the bloggers with Google Blogger here and you can find his Blog and Congratulate him online.

Abhinav Bindra's win is a great achievement and he's an inspiration to the younger generation. He is cool, calm and composed - His has a focus to his goal and he has great control over his emotions which is the key of sports success. Indeed, as Abhinav says, "In sports, Indians need to be positive and pull the negativism out"

Here's my article from my book "Guardian of Angels:A practical guide to joyful parenting on Sports spirit and tips :
http://www.kidsfreesouls.com/sportsmanship.htm . And as I am back, my recent Abu visit has been so very pleasant and refreshing with memories of the great monsoon at this unique hill station, a paradise, call it 'Switzerland' of India. Here's the Google Map of Abu for your quick view. Enjoy!

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

Beijing Olympics 2008, sun sign characters and numerology

The Beijing Games open at eight minutes past eight o'clock in the evening on the 8th day of the 8th month in 2008. This is the time that traditionally offers the perfect combination of good luck and prosperity. Number eight is lucky in Chinese as it is pronounced like the word 'fa' which is a part of the expression meaning 'to get wealthy'. According to the Chinese calendar, it is an auspicious day.

However, as per the Astrology experts who has a word of warning to China's olympic learders to ward off the evil fate at the olympics, they should be wearing Ox pendants as Olympics is staged in the year of the Rat and according to Chinese animal astrology, that could spell trouble for anyone born in the year of the Horse. It is said, the clash between horse and the rat is a serious clash between water and fire. Hence, wearing an ox pendant minimize the clash. Unfortunately, the chinese leaders President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao, who were both born in 1942, the year of the Horse, in the 12 year cycle of Chinese animal Astrology.

Here's the Beijing Olympics 2008 Official Website and Official Mascots of Beijing 2008 Olympics game.

Well, you believe in Numerological Astrology? Well, I wrote this on an impulse in print media page of 'Freesouls' and do believe in Chiero's Numerology and even Sun signs. You can find your Character Traits as per you Sun Sign here and Your Number Mystery.

Anyways, As Beijing Olympics begin, here's National Geography with information for children and especially their Kids Blogs with David's Blog providing indepth details on 2008 Beijing Olympics.

And there, here's time to build sports spirit among children with my article from Guardian of Angels - 'Whiff OF Sports Spirit – Honing Skills'. Also the Teachers page here with articles by Educationists esp. Schools gaining PCs but losing playgrounds and Competitions - Cup of Love.
And incidentally 8 cars, 8th August and 8 families - I would be enjoying the Monsoon rains in Abu - So, you may explore till I next update on Monday. Enjoy!

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

Newspaper for Kids

Encourage Reading: Choosing Books & Reading Aloud

A new research, conducted by University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) scientists, shows that whether a child has been read aloud to on a regular basis is the single biggest predictor of a child's success in learning to read.

"Reading aloud to children helps them develop oral language. It teaches them how to listen and how narrative is structured. They also learn vocabulary and how print works and that it is read from left to right," says UAB Associate Professor of education Kathleen Martin. She further says, "Reading aloud helps to develop oral language. It teaches children how to listen and how narrative is structured. They also learn vocabulary and how print works and is read from left to right."

Well, reading should always be made 'Fun Learning' and not let the child have a boring session. I read aloud stories to children as we often have a Loud Reading class following by Story reading session from 5 Minute Fairy Tales or other Fairy tales book. Children sometimes opt to read online stories and I hook them to Kidsfreesouls Fairyland section as they Read aloud the Artie Knapp stories and other tales.

Reading should not be a forced activity but made interesting by narrating, communicating, expressing and showing them pictures in the book. Discovering books in a Library or at a store should be a routine. Encourage children by talking 'just books' with added Scrap book fun. Children love to draw and add color while they write a review or part of the story. Even games are fun while reading. Making spelling games, board games, cards and so on. Reading should never be serious and this is no learning. We find children saying the story by-heart while participating in Story competition with no expressions. Let kids lighten up. Stories and comics are meant to be fun together. Some kids love fiction, some like poetry whereas some like non fiction. Let the child make his choice.

Find Encouraging Reading in Guardian of Angels and you can find a part of it on the Kidsfreesouls.com Parenting page. Btw. here's on 'Choosing Books and read them aloud' on Kidsfreesouls You Tube. Enjoy!

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

Happy Friendship Day!

Whenever it's a Friendship Day, Kidsfreesouls wishes all readers Happy Friendship day with a simple message to spread love, faith, peace and unity among human beings. A day when someone asked me, 'How?', I was confused what to reply on a simple icq screen. Today, with the social networks and people hanging on making a 3/4/5 digit friends lists, the message can be spread far and wide. The question 'How' can turn to 'Somehow' and all humans together can make efforts to spread the message to spread peace! The world is on brink of extinction, Is it? Whatever, we can make a Difference!

Well, All our friends light the candle of our life with warmth and happiness. Sometimes, face to face, its hard to say the things we could but between Good Friends, unspoken thoughts are always understood. And then “Silence speaks a thousand words”

Here's an old site Friendship Day page and here's on Joys of Friendship.

This Friendship day, I wish all Kidsfreesouls “Happy Friendship Day” and may this small prayer build our spirits to spread love, faith, peace and unity among human beings.

God Make me worthy…
It is joy in life to find at every turning of the road,
The strong arm of a comrade kind,
To help me with my onward load,
And since I have no gold to give,
'Tis love alone must make amends,
My only Prayer is while I live
"God Make me worthy of my Friends"

I believe that its
God’s might to direct us,
God’s power to protect us,
God’s wisdom for learning,
God's eye for discerning,
God's ear for hearing God’s love for Caring.

So, keep the love, keep friendship, Keep Faith in God’s Caring.Keep the Faith!

Children Ask 'Who are Terrorists?'

When terror strikes, fear and anxiety grips it's strong hold and this is what the aftermath situation prevailing here in Ahmedabad. Gujarat state faced the terrorist strike and Ahmedabad lost many innocent lives leaving many injured. The victims are suffering and the dead are in graves with the nearest relative being offered monetary help by the Government. Will this bring back lives?

Well, It's children who are full of questions asking Who are the terrorists and why the terrorists are Killing innocent people. The kids are anxiously pouring their emotions as they talk of what they have seen and heard. I have children coming to me asking me and telling me all on these terrorists attacks as their emotions run high.

Protect kids from crime, stop them to be criminals - an article from Guardian of Angels was written on a similar disaster during riots that hit the city some years ago. Also Fear Children need to know that killings never do good to anybody. The 9/11 toppled tower or the Gujarat riots or these terrorism - they mean destruction of humans and humanity. Children need the emotional support, a careful listening, confronting and guidance. Parents themselves need not over-react to the situation or in their anxiety pass fear to kids. Harsh reality affect kids but parents reaction to the situation has a negative effect or a positive, depending on how they foresee the situation. It's here that they need to stop feeling the blues, freeze the fear phobia. As I refer in my article 'Fear' - 60% people fear from agoraphobia or call it panic at being in a place they consider it unsafe. They turn themselves to believe that something wrong will happen which makes them nervous and frightful. Phobias sometimes run in family and children inherit from parents.

Such situation calls in for creative activities for kids and they need to divert their attention from viewing too much of the news on incidents of killings and death or even listening to avoid panic. Here are steps to build Pillars of character and Steps to ethical behavior for kids. Let kids get to Creativity and enjoy. This time soon will pass too.

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

Google Knol

It's been almost a week since Knol was officially launched by Google in answer to wikipedia. Or call it, a Knol is a new Squidoo. Google knol encourages people to contribute knowledge. Like Problogger refers, is this a wikipedia killer or blog killer?, it remains to be seen how Google uplifts the project in time to come. At knol, people can just write about their expertise and as Google Engineer Udi Manber, the soul behind Googlepedia Knol says:

Writes Google's Udi Manber:"The goal is for knols to cover all topics, from scientific concepts, to medical information, from geographical and historical, to entertainment, from product information, to how-to-fix-it instructions. Google will not serve as an editor in any way, and will not bless any content. All editorial responsibilities and control will rest with the authors. We hope that knols will include the opinions and points of view of the authors who will put their reputation on the line. Anyone will be free to write. For many topics, there will likely be competing knols on the same subject. Competition of ideas is a good thing. Knols will include strong community tools. People will be able to submit comments, questions, edits, additional content, and so on. Anyone will be able to rate a knol or write a review of it. Knols will also include references and links to additional information."

Well, Knol is still just open to U.S. people and worldwide everyone is trying to make pages as they've not been specific on Knol. The name verification is only for people from United states and the credit card information is also with just the US info.

I tried to make a Knol here and spent time, writing and posting with errors when finally I found my mistakes as well as Knol's confusing and erroneous website layout that misguide a user. When my post was not visible, I sorted for a help file and realized that it called for verification and Knol is meant currently only for US users!

Anyways, this info will keep you updated. You can keep an eye on the upcoming wiki-cum-squidoo - a Googlepedia 'Knol' and take you to knowledge base platform to get yourself and your children more tech savvy as Knol will be carrying Knols from many wise experts. You can find more in Google Search on Knols here. An example is on Dyslexia by Sally. Another is, Understanding your kid's Text messages by Sara. A text lingo and chat lingo that parents aren't familiar.

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

Facebook Scrabble

Apps are so tempting and we apt to make our choice with instincts. Especially, if you are at Facebook or my space, you have a host to select and it sure reflects your characteristics as per your choice.

Well, there goes my favorite time passer game at Facebook and I picked on the Scrabble as well as Scrabulous applications to add to my pages. Though these games are well designed and quite attractive, I admit that I won't be wasting my precious moments online to play with a friend. Simply because when I can play Scrabble in real time, it's undecided on which version of Scrabble or Scrabulous is superior online and they won't be any fun unless my virtual Facebook friends are playing with it too.

The Scrabble - All a game of fun and learn. I remember the word trivia games we played at the Talkcity chatrooms and still the game is great going all the time pick. Scrabble was introduced in 1948. These days it is produced in 27 languages, according to Mattel Inc., which owns the non-American rights to the game. Scrabble ranks # on Top 10 games in Kidsfreesouls List of games. Rest follows Monopoly, cake mania and all leading to X Box games like the Halo 3 - The Master Chief who makes it Big.

Teaching Board games to kids is just challenging and fun learning. The spelling rules as well as building a vocabulary is all in process as kids engage to a word building play activity. With Hangman and other spelling activities, encouraging a child is quick and easier while sparing a few moments for play. With a scrabble, an age appropriate spell fun works best as you begin to play with the letters, keeping in mind, the vowels and consonants which are verbally formed. Kids can have a Family Game Night, ready with the word list so as to be easy with the game. When I play the game of scrabble or rather allow the class kids to engage into a Scrabble game activity, the first thing I noticed is the enthusiasm as they can make their own words. Of course, we do have cheaters who spell wrong and yet, make it appear correct. This is when we find children disappointed and embarrassed when we can emphasize on what it is to learn or what means 'winning'.

Well, for the online free plays, here's Scrabble and AOL games for the game lovers. And here's on Honing Sports Spirit - an article in my book - Grab a copy NOW for the read.

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

Newspaper for kids

Tom & Jerry - Should we limit TV viewing time for kids?

Tom and Jerry has ever been my favorite Cartoon and I am sure many children love to watch this show. Cartoon Network has been telecasting amazing shows and I just glue to watch Tom & Jerry as I roll over my remote. Here's the Game you will like to play - Be a Tom or a Jerry - Both make a perfect Team! And here's the Cartoon Network India site and you can log in to start Blogging on your favorite characters of Just Toons.

Well, The gadget that children use earliest is the television. They start flipping channels at an average of 3.8 years old. Than, Personal computers and video games are next, at 5.5 and 6.1 years old and finally, Portable media players and cell phones come before age 10.

Parents are always concerned as Kids keep glued to their cartoon network channels and often complain of their disobedience. 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. What can we 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! E-mail me your views!

Meanwhile, here's Kids News column and the good news for parents is that two major TV channels will encourage children for Outdoor Playing and 'Talk Aloud' about their favorite characters. Now, this is a nice initiative, isn't it? Enjoy!

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

Cartoon of the Month & NIE Tips

Cartoon of the Month is just updated with a new add on How to make Cartoons in classrooms. Teachers can use the download sheets for use in classrooms and guide students to add their Cartoons to the Cartoon templates. Enjoy.


Well, Swami Vivekanand said, "As you have come into this world, leave some marks behind. Otherwise, there is no difference between you and the stones and the trees" It is said that a human need to engage in self conscious activity. Teach self, train the self. Call upon a sleeping soul and see how it awakens. Power will come, glory will come, goodness will come, purity will come and everything that is excellent will come. When excellence comes, this is the time to carefully climb the ladders of success as one has to leave footsteps on the sands of life.

Kidsfreesouls follow the path of righteousness and here we move ahead inspiring children and teachers to use Kidsfreesouls content in a creative manner. You may follow the Kidsfreesouls simple NIE tips here and the Projects can help children to fair better in classrooms.

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

My Book Guardian of Angels@Amazon

Here's a link to my Amazon Profile and Reviews page. You can read a chapter on my Book Page and even find my Author Blog.



Well, this reminds me of a review I earlier written on : Peaceful Parents, Peaceful Kids: Practical ways to create calm and happy homes by Naomi Drew MA. She has served as a Parenting Expert and her work has been featured in Newspaper and Magazine like the New York Times, NBC, Time Magazine, Parents Magazine and Child Magazine. A dynamic speaker and an Educationist, she has served as a Consultant to various schools too.

Review of Peaceful Parents, Peaceful Kids by Ilaxi Patel :

Peaceful Parents, Peaceful Kids is one of the "number of points" self-help books that are so popular these days. The opening message that peace in the family begins with peace in the parent clearly moves us in the right direction. Author Naomi Drew has already had a hit along the lines with Learning the Skills of Peacemaking, also aiming Public schools. We can't just place the blame on television, school, other kids, or lack of time, not if we want to actually address the problem. Drew's some of her imagined resolutions are a little too elaborate, she uses concrete, realistic examples. It's important to aim high when you're planning a successful family. Even if you only manage half the book's aims, you'll be much better off. The author breaks the big job of bringing peace to the family down to seventeen points. Parental actions should be guided by love, compassion, fairness, respect, and integrity and nurture these attributes in children. Indeed! Peace is at every doorstep!

Btw, you can find my Amazon reviews and this is a mix of Books, music (kids, parenting, management, war, etc)

Well, You can read the Readers Reviews of GUARDIAN OF ANGELS: A practical guide to Joyful Parenting on my Book Page here at Kidsfreesouls. The pages are not yet designed to perfection, however, you can expect a better presentation in time to come. Enjoy!

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

Can you buy Intelligence for your Children?

Can you buy Intelligence for your Children? 50% of parents in Hong Kong believe they can. "IQ Enhancement" is relatively more important when choosing food, books, education materials and education institutes for their kids. Check out the AC Nielsen report (April 2005) In this survey conducted for adults with primary school children, it revealed that IQ enhancement label for these products were: Foodstuff (58%) and toys (52%) carrying an IQ enhancement label were the most popular. But in terms of importance of these products to their children, more than 42% of parents believe educational institutes offering IQ enhancement programmes are important, followed by 45% Extra-curricular activities.

Parents may not be spending more on themselves but for children, they make their choice but more, they even try to provide what kids want. Early childhood is influential time and child's physical and mental health is crucial to happy childhood, says Helen Lok, the Executive Director of AC Nielsen Customized Research, Hongkong.

Kids' "Health" is perceived by parents to be more important than IQ, followed by "stable emotion" and "hard working in study".

Kids Survey :
Health
67%
Stable emotion
19%
Hard working in study
15%
Politeness
10%
Character
10%
Happiness
8%
Relationship with others
4%

The performance of new brands now solely depend on the consumer choice and here's parents and children opting for a choice which can give a clear idea to advertisers to plan their strategies as far as kids related products are concerned. As such, foodstuff, toys, books and Educational Institutes are a major choice followed in parallel to health and making children emotionally stable. The figures for 2008 are not known. However, looking to the trends, the concerns are more the same and we can clearly see - Parent Stress, Kid Stress - a concern with the economic downturns. Every parent need to make a choice but at the same time, it's the need of the hour to make children involve in making a choice - quite practically!

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

World Population Day: Plan for better lives

World Population Day, 11th July 2008 - The theme this year goes "Right to Plan your Families." In 1968, world leaders proclaimed that individuals have a basic human right to determine freely and responsibly the number and timing of their children. If people have right to plan their families, they can plan their lives! Plan to beat poverty, plan a right for equality and mothers and children can live a healthier life. Nationals can progress while providing better food, better education, better living standards. The importance of World Population Day this year is to advance women's empowerment and particularly to ensure universal access to reproductive health.

A survey earlier appeared in a leading newspaper speaks that around 2050, it will be Grey India. By 2051, only 19% of the country's population would be up to the age of 14 years. In 2000, this group constituted almost 38% of the population. The median age to rise by 17 years from 21 years now to 38 years in 2051. Couples are opting for one child, or at the most two - and with advancement in health services, will experience an increased life expectancy. According to the Population Foundation of India, a voluntary organization working in association with the Union government, about 15% of the population will be over the age of 65 by 2051. By then, India will have an evened out sex ratio, which was 108 males per 100 females in 1991. The total fertility rate - number of children per woman) in India would is expected to come down to 2.52 between 2011 and 2016, and is expected to reach 2.1 in 2026. You can find more on World Population Awareness here. It's now the Time to Observe World Population Day and think of the grave dangers of Eco-system.

Btw, a research on 750 women in Britain revealed 56% in the group with the highest energy intake had son compared with 45% in the lowest group. As well as consuming more calories, women who had son were morely likely to have eaten a higher quantity and wider range of nutrients, including potassium, calcium and vitamins C, E, B12. Also, a strong correlation between women eating breakfast cereals and producing son was found. In, Britain, US and Canada, there has been a strong decline of boys being born in industrialized countries over the last 40 years. Interesting! You can find more on Health Blog - coming soon on more topics of concerns.

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

Create a 'Genius in your Child' with Toys

Create a 'Genius in your Child' with Toys. Parents often cannot spend quality time with children as they are busy with their work lifestyles. The use of tech has made it more complicated situations when children are deprived of vital stimulation. The high tech living and lifestyles make parents more busier as ever and as such, smart use of tech gadgets has hooked children to be savvy kids.

Some time ago, a child got a Kid Laptop (GeoSafari Laptop below) in the classroom. She showed me how she can be a genius with lessons on wildlife, animals, science, history, maps, language and math. Her uncle who had just come from US had gifted her this lovely piece, she said.

Children just love to do what their parents are doing and are quite inquisitive as they see the new gadgets. They want to use these tech gadgets - use the laptop and computer to connect to the world, use the mobile and pretend talking or actually do. Younger children respond to educational toys that include rattles and musical toys. Toys come in great deal of variety and it's an endless buy and who else can know well than me? I've almost picked up all kinds of Educational toys and fun games and the lovely dinky cars - a host of collection to adorn the shelf in my son's room who is now grown up! Today, the Toy selection is endless picks.

As said by Maria Montessori, "The more the capacity to concentrate is developed, the more often the profound tranquility in work is achieved, then the clearer will be the manifestation of discipline within the child." And so very true, I think, school age kids can benefit from Educationals Toys if the selection is a right choice pick. The first essential for the child's development is concentration as the child who concentrates is immensely happy. Education is a natural process which develops spontaneously.

Btw, Check in for Games for Kids widget on Kidsfreesouls and here's Google Search where you can find Educational Toys links. Enjoy.

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

Chocolicious 'Hi'

Click a chocolicious 'hi' to your friend or a sweet wish to your Teachers/parents/grandparents and make them feel extra special! Chocolate is one of the life's great pleasures and was first brought to the western world some 400 years ago, when Spanish explorers came across it in South America. At first it was used only as a drink, but in the 19th century, the familiar chocolate bar was invented in Switzerland and quickly became the world's most popular confection. The tree that yields chocolate is aptly named Theobroma, which means food of the gods. The tree has been cultivated for so many centuries that there are probably no wild trees left. It is from the pale purple-pink beans within the pulp of the hanging fruit that chocolate is made.

7th July is Chocolate day but how it started celebrating, I am not sure. Well, here's a Candy Addict Blog and I am sure, you will have fun exploring the site and celebrate Chocolate day. It sure is an Excuse to eat Chocolates! You can find my Chocolate Recipe page here on Kidsfreesouls and even wish Chocolate day to someone you love dearly and send cart load of chocolates. Enjoy.

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

Ice Road Trucker worksheet for kids

Do you watch History Channel? Well, I do. Recently, they have aired 'Road to Season 2' on 1st June 2008 with the amazing highlights on Ice Road Truckers on Season 1 and a preview of show of Season 2. The adrenaline packed series which is shot in high definition with 50+ cameras in the most brutal conditions in zero degrees in Artic, gives a glimpse of the most dangerous occupation in the world.

Ice Road Truckers is a American documentary style Reality show telecasted on Sundays. The Season 1 led to Yellow Knife to the Diamond mines and the Season 2 towards Inuvik, which is at the top of the world where the ice roads run up a river and across Arctic ocean to natural gas drilling sites.

It is amazing to know that 70% people on web searching for Ice Road Truckers are looking for 'How much money does an Ice Road Trucker make?' For every load they haul, they could make up to 2000$ but I did read here that they can make upto $15-30000 in 60 days!
You can find more on this on the History Channel or find Blogs with Kidsfreesouls Search. Anyways, here's the recent Kidsfreesouls You Tube that gives you a glimpse on the amazing Ice Road Trucker video.

Here's the recently added Comprehension on Ice Road Trucker in Grammar fun section. You can print the sheet and use for classroom activity. Also download the Ice Road Truck wallpaper and create your own wall papers too. The worksheet also has online view on Ice Road Truck video apart from video on Kidsfreesouls You Tube . I will be adding more worksheets in Grammar fun section, so keep visiting and keep the faith.

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

July Calendar, Projects for kids

July Calendar, Project Ideas for kids are already posted on Kidsfreesouls.com in case you missed. July is Independence but more, it's a National Ice Cream month in US. In 1984, President Ronald Reagan declared July as National Ice Cream Month and the third Sunday of the month as National Ice-cream Day(July 20). Most of the people enjoy Ice-cream as fun and nutritious food. The history of ice cream can be traced to the Roman Empire, China, and India.It was introduced to England in the 17th century reached America in the 18th. It was a London caterer named Philip Lenzi who first announced in a New York newspaper that he would be offering for sale various confections, including ice cream. Dolly Madison served it in 1812. However, The first ice cream parlor in America opened in 1776.

You can find more on Google Search here on history of the Ice-cream. If you want to try my Ice-cream recipes, here's my winning Recipes that got me win Ice-cream Making Machine in Times of India Ice-cream Recipe contest earlier.

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

Newspaper for Kids with Resources for parents and teachers

Lyrics 'I'm Proud to be an American

If you've missed the 4th July on Kidsfreesouls, here's the Happy Birthday USA and the song on Kidsfreesouls You Tube. Here's the lyrics you can sign along with:

I'm Proud to be an American (Lee Greenwood)video on Kidsfreesouls You Tube

If tomorrow all the things were gone I'd worked for all my life,
And I had to start again with just my children and my wife,
I'd thank my lucky stars to be living here today,
'Cause the flag still stands for freedom And they can't take that away.

I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free,
And I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me,
And I gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today,
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God Bless the U.S.A. From the lakes of Minnesota to the hills of Tennessee,
Across the plains of Texas from sea to shining sea.

From Detroit down to Houston and New York to L.A.,
There's pride in every American heart And it's time we stand and say: I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free,
And I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me,
And I gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today,
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God Bless the U.S.A.

Btw, Is US Independence Day celebrated on the Wrong Day? Read More on NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC! And, here's the History and what the Flag means, Presidents of US and the US National Anthem.

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

What's Your Identity?

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

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

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

Survey on Teens Internet Use

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

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

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

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

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

Googolopoly and also Games for Kids

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

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

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

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

Doodle4google

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

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

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

Beatles n music

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

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

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

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

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

Henry Ford resource tools for classroom projects

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

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

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

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

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

Happy Father's Day

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

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

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

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

The Innocent and beautiful have no enemy but time!

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

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

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

Amazon Author Blog

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

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

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

Build Pillars of Character

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

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

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

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

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

Kiss - Keep it simple stupid!

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

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

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

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

Back to school

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thomas Mann

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

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

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

WED

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

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

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

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

Aesops Fables at Swagat

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

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



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

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

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

MP3 clips

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

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

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



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

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

Video Games sparks creativity

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

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

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

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

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