Grandparents Day: ‘Let the Kids Think’

First sunday after Labor Day has been declared as 'Grandparents Day' in the US.

Strong willed individuals formulate new ideas and persist in making them realities. They figuratively move mountains and change courses of rivers to attain their goals. Such a strong willed woman was Ms. Marian Mcquade, a house wife in West Virginia who originated National Grandparents Day with prime motive to champion the cause of elderly people and persuade the grandchildren to tap the wisdom and heritage their grandparents could provide. 76 year old mother of 15, Grandmother of 40 and great Grandmother of 3, Ms. Marian cheers neglected and lonely patients in Hospitals. Mr. & Mrs. McQuade pay all Grandparents Day expenses, including printing and postage costs for an average of three packets a day sent to people who inquire about the observance. This promotional package included a personal letter, history of the event fact, suggested activities, day’s purposes, copy of ‘Beautitudes for the Friends of the Aged’ and family tree charts. However, it was President Jimmy Carter who proclaimed the observance of National Grandparents Day in 1978 on the first Sunday after Labor Day.

Some people had misimpression that Grandparents day originated as a florist promotion as flower Industry prepare for many request in September for Grandparents. Hall mark cards designed special Grandparents Day cards with permission of Ms.Macquade and offered her royalty which was denied by her. Grandparents day can be observed with demonstrations of talents such as cooking, sculpting, cooking or just family dancing, singing along together, ice cream parties, dinner or compiling of family trees, visiting old parents home or nursing home, etc.

On Grandparents Day, may all the grandparents pass on their wisdom, keep the harmony and build generations. What we miss today is more like the quote: "One who knows how to adjust is one who knows how to Survive" - Well, who are we to advice the elders and tell them, "Build the Family Tree - Be Better Grandparents" (Find article in Guardian of Angels). (Also find Conquer Anxiety )

But than it’s a time to make the real Difference. How to relish the unique role and be cherished. The today’s generation would need the Kidsfreesouls Tips in the coming years when they are grandparents : - ) The changing times have affected the changing lives. A story of a parents concern with their old father is touching and eye opening too. The parents decide to send away the old father and carried him in a basket to leave him to another place. The grand child see this and is quite understanding. He runs to his father and says " Bring the basket back because I will need the same for you " The parents realize their mistake. So, it is a concern for all generations to keep the relations alive and build the Family tree in cooperation.

What we need to remember when we get old is : LET THE GRAND KIDS THINK!!!!

Opportunities for promoting thought behaviour is the need of the hour as we communicate with children. Parents and Grandparents require to pay the attention to the communication levels as:

1. Tone of the voice. A tone that will produce more genuine response but not that is demanding, patronizing, condescending. Children who hear ‘ stupid ideas’ know better that they will never again expose their ideas in open. If children need to develop thoughtfulness, they need to develop the ideas themselves. Grandparents who invite and respect children's ideas will find that children are more willing to offer them. Treating grandchildren and what they say with respect establishes trust and opens lines of communication.

2.Be a good Listener. Don’t interrupt but take interest in what kids need to say and make sure that they know you are listening. They would learn the habit of listening too.

3. Warmth, respect, trust and genuineness are keys to productive talking with children. Keep the attitude of ‘Tell me…I want to know rather than say ‘ I know..You listen’

Television programs, commercials, toys, video games and books are well worth inviting children to think about. The key to such examination is knowing what and how to ask, and avoiding the kind of moralistic preaching that comes so easily to adult lips, and that discourages children from thinking for themselves. We open up unlimited possibilities for children to develop as thoughtful decision makers. By asking children to share their thoughts, we also discover, sometimes with amazement, that children have rich and compelling ideas that reach far beyond what we suspected they knew. Intelligent behavior does not grow through experience alone. It needs cultivation, through reflection on that experience. Kids who watch a movie won't automatically understand its messages; adults have to help them, with thoughtfully worded questions, to find the meanings. Because the world is so rife with choice, one of the most important skills we can teach our grandchildren is the ability to make wise decisions.

Hence, it is more a wise thing to ‘Let the Kids Think’ – Be a guide, not a commander. Teach kids ‘How to Think, not what to Think’. We need to learn this as we grow up as the new Gen-X will be Techno savvy Kids and we need to Change with the Change.

Btw, here's to give an Achievement Certificate to Grandparents in appreciation of their towering strength and being a 'Guiding light'.

And if you are a Grandparent, here are 10 things to Demand. And here are 25 Reasons kids love Grandparents. Btw, Here's Grandparents site that might interest you and watch a video too. I have been routinely visiting here since many years on this day. Here's my first learning site on Tripod where I still have my pages of Freesouls and on Grandparents Day. Enjoy!

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

Newspaper for Kids

Teacher's Day - ADD/ADHD Problems in children

5th September - Teacher's Day is celebrated as a tribute to Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan on his Birthday, the former President of India, who has been a great teacher and contributor to the cause of Education. This day, teachers of all schools take a break from teaching, while students play teachers and run mock classes.

In 1991, children poured in to Swagat for the 'Reading & Grammar' sessions which included extra-curricular activities and I still continue the journey of teaching at Swagat. Teaching has always been a wonderful journey for me and becomes a memorable experience too. The result is dedicating my Book 'Guardian of Angels' to parents, teachers and children everywhere. Today, many of my ex-students are all with me on my online journey on the web as I explore and find them at places esp. on Facebook. It is amazing for them too, as once they would Google their name in the Search Engine and they end up finding Swagat page.

Well, Dr. Radhakrishnan said once:

"A good teacher must know how to arouse the interest of the pupil in the field of study for which he is responsible. He must himself be a master in the field of study and be in touch with the latest developments in the subject, he must himself be a fellow traveller in the exciting pursuit of knowledge"

A teacher - inspires, motivates, encourages and shapes lives. As a mentor, teachers need to understand the dreams and aspirations of students; be a guiding force in their life. I feel, as teachers when we are honoured as Educators and our contribution is acknowledged, it is our duty to be a 'Guardian Angel' as Guardians, as we are the caretakers in place of parents.
Each child is born and brought up differently, have their own learning abilities and even are extroverts or introverts. Some children are branded as fast learners and some as slow. In the process of their Education, I understand, Teachers often knowingly or unknowingly, are partial to students and parents are found to be reporting and complaining about them. When Teachers call to give reports of the child, the parent of a failing student is faced with abuse, criticism and even hurt the self esteem of the child when he is scolded in front of the mother, who's ego is hurt too.

Recently, I came across a parent who fears to meet the teacher - just because the teacher keeps complaining as the child fails in class. Her child is almost facing Learning disabilities or maybe, ADHD (Attention deficit-Hyperactivity) symptoms. As such, the child lose the study skills effectively, is at a loss to organize, plan or manage time to work out on lessons. Sometimes, children are only Attention deficit or they can be Hyper Active/Impulsive or a mix of both. The teacher should be the first to take note on their attitude as school environment demands more sitting hours, concentration, attention, focus and are aware of their patterns of behavior. Accordingly, find the reasons and be a practical Educator by implementing various Effective Teaching techniques.

If you are a teacher, you probably know this. Children staring out of the class, writing a d instead of b, won't follow instructions, speak endlessly or shout on top of their voice, forget homework book....more on this. Students with the ADD/ADHD present challenges for the teacher with such behavior in class :

1. They often forget to write down homework assignments, do them, or bring completed work to school
2. They have trouble following instructions and don't listen
3. They demand attention by talking out of turn or move around the class
4. They usually have problems with projects where there is no help from the teacher or parent
5. They have difficulty in taking notes and their handwriting is not clear
6. They often have trouble in Maths with long division or solving equations
7. They often don't complete task and shift from one to another
8. They often misplace things and fiddle with rubber, pencils, sharpeners, etc.

All children who behave this way are not necessarily having the ADD/ADHD problems. However, it is the strategies to implement as a teacher by being positive and motivating the child with appreciation and tactfully managing the situation. Do not nag or complaint to the parent but be constructive and creatively work-out with the parent on how to solve the problematic child.

Here's a Help Guide to understand on many mannerisms which might be useful.

And here's wishing "Happy Teacher's Day" to all the online Teachers/Readers who visit kidsfreesouls and who, directly or indirectly are motivating me to continue writing articles and experience my journey as an Educator too - Learning to write and Change with the Change, using Tech learning in classroom too. You can find Teacher's page here 'For Teachers' and also articles by Teachers on 'Teachers Day' page.

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

Inspirations for Purposeful Living - SQ in kids

Recently, AMA had organised a week on "Inspirations for purposeful living symbolized by Lord Ganesha." Spiritual discourses were held by Swami Anubhavananda and Swami Atmananda. Swami Anubhavananda urged people to be in an 'inspired mode' throughout life and be spiritual by observing, sincere devotion, positive thinking, expression of joy and zero complaints.'

He outlined three ways of god realization:

1. Every action shoud be expression of happiness.
2. Every word uttered is expression of Happiness
3. Every thought within has to be of Happiness

The purpose of life is not to become 'Big' but live a live in devotion, intelligence and grow spiritually.

Swami Atmananda spoke on Ganesha and it's influence on mankind. He focused on Positive thinking and reflective Listening. For the Big mind to develop, one needs to Think. Hence, he told the audience to Think - ideas that pop up in mind turn to desired results as they turn profitable, sets a person free and makes thinking 'positive' with a clear mind.

Well, here's the Ganesh Page (In culture section) on Kidsfreesouls which briefly say all :

Lord Ganesh's BIG HEAD inspires us to 'Think Big' & 'Profitably'
Lord Ganesh's BIG EARS prompt us to listen patiently to new ideas & suggestion
Lord Ganesh's NARROW EYES point to deep concentration needed to finish tasks in hand well and quickly
Lord Ganesh's LONG NOSE tells us to poke around inquisitely to learn more
Lord Ganesh's SMALL MOUTH reminds us to speak less and listen more.

I believe 'utter faith' is need for a spiritual growth and where children are concerned, they need to develop not only the EQ, IQ but also the SQ - the spiritual quotient that often parents neglect. If SQ is inculcated from a very early stage of life, it can prove to be very instrumental in framing the overall personality of a child and sensitizing him/her towards various aspects of life. Every parent or a teacher need to Create a 'Genius in the Child' keeping in mind the IQ, EQ and SQ for which we all need the major 'KQ' (Knowledge Quotient) of spirituality understanding.

So, how do we teach the child for spiritual wisdom? Here's some insights:

1. Identify the values you cherish and your actions are based on beliefs which you pass on. Be specific and clear in your own mind which values you most cherish like some of them could be - Kindness, forgiveness, sincerity and loyalty.

2. Principles of right vs wrong. Actions have consequences and children should learn from your experience and examples to bear responsibility of their actions. Like the 'Ten Commandments' it's more an add of Nurturing commandments of Parenting (In GOA). Simply saying, 'Don't do this or that' is not effective but if a bridge of understanding prevails, it works.

3. Define the real meaning and it's results. Parents speak of words like love, joy, peace, self control, kindness, goodness, patience and more. However, what do these terms mean is not clearly defined. The child need to understand what they really mean with examples or anecdotes. Children are taught self control but specify. eg. Have self control and wait for a piece of cake after dinner without fussing to have it quick. It can be patience - either way. The values need to be understood.

4. Demonstrate your belief in Prayers. We say our daily prayers and let know the kids that you pray for help, guidance and gratitude for giving a wonderful world. We believe in super power and the child should keep the faith too. God is listening and he too, answer your prayers.

5. Teach spiritual songs, tell spiritual stories and go to 'church' or 'temple' or whatever the faith. Hymns are wonderful tools what we call spiritual songs. Children love to sing and daily prayers too, are important - the morning, saying grace at meal times and at night before sleeping. Stories are often interesting in all religions which even call for debate. Gently teach the spiritual principles. Let the child know the biographies of godly people.

6. Communicate. Talk to kids of ethics, values and faith. Stimulate their curiosity and set a good example.

Let there be 'SQ' to Nurture the Genius in your kid but don’t forget the KidsFreesoul Tip “Weave ‘Emotional Literacy’ into the fabric of daily life in you and the kid and take the flight steps to EQ-IQ with the added SQ. It’s the Spiritual quotient, faith that dispels ignorance, faith that moves mountains and faith that is deciding, daring and doing the job.

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

[ Ganesh Chaturthi is a festival celebrated all over India on 3rd september this year, esp. Maharashtrians and even, 3rd September is the completion of Jain Festive 'Paryushan' - the fasting and offering prayers to god. It's 'Michami Dukdam' which means today we save sorry to all Jains and they revert back saying sorry in case by mistake also we've hurt someone by speech or action. Even the Ramzan festival is ongoing and here's on Pillars of Islam]

Manners & kids Games by Hasbro Noodleboro

Sharing, Listening and manners don't come to naturally to kids... but playing does! - reads the lines on the Hasbro's Noodleboro site as they promote three new games to teach Manners and social skills to children, aged 4 up for 2/3 players. They're Fun Park Game, Picnic Basket Game and Pizza Palace Game.

Fun Park Game: Developing social skills. The story is about a place filled with midway games and carnival fun. In this game, kids play together to collect as many sharing stars as they can before the park closes. It’s all about having fun and helping friends by sharing.

Picnic Basket Game: Value of Manners. It’s hard to have a perfect picnic party when ants keep trying to steal food! Just say “please” and “thank you” to send those pesky ants packing and collect all the items that will make the picnic a success. Rachel refuses to use good manners and see what happens!

Pizza Palace Game: Learning to Listening skills. In this game, it’s important for kids to listen and pay attention to orders before heading into the kitchen. Things may go wrong if they don't listen properly.

The games are the result of more than a year of development work, which included an online survey of moms (and a few dads) around the U.S., according to an executive with Hasbro's games division. Teaching social skills turned out to have surprising importance for the nearly 1,000 people surveyed.

You can find more on Kids page here to check on the game demos on the site.

Well, Manners matter. It has it's own importance and cannot be learnt in a day! Some children are a joy around. They are pleasant, polite and treat others with respect. Whereas, some are rude, naughty and noisy. They are defiant, give back answers or blur out words they shouldn't. Are you bugged with such child who needs to learn good manners?

Parents are the role models and so are the teachers too. Parents often complain that coping with undisciplined child is the most turbulent phase of parenthood. Even teachers call for the parents and complain the child's behavior when they fail to handle a manner-less child. Great kids misbehave too! Children are always in transition. Moving from one development stage to another and it is amidst the process, Parents need to instill moral values in kids. Manners are skills taught to develop social grace. They display respect, care and consideration. Imagine, a child comes and bangs saying, 'Mommy, I will not share my chocolate with my brother' or blue out in from of a guest saying, 'Mommy, I will not allow you to give my biscuits to the aunty'.
In fact, I really came across a child who was rude and rough. The mother got a complain from school and the teacher told her not to send the child if he misbehaves. On hearing this, the child said, 'No problem. Good for me. I won't go to school and watch TV at home all the time.' So, this is really embarassing, isn't it? Here's where we need to draw the lines.

Good manners at home and away from home, makes life pleasant. Knowing how to be polite will give the child the self confidence, build his self esteem as others will respond positively to his good manners. So, what can you do and set initial steps? May be this can help:

1. Talk about Manners and teach social skills. The simple, 'Please', 'Thank You', 'Sorry', are the easy words but to be used often.

2. Set a good example. Children act the way you do. If you tell him to do something and you don't, he too will follow the footsteps.

3. Children don't learn by just playing, seeing or listening. Give them the chance many times over and again to practice social skills.

4. Role play the situations. Let the child be the host and get ready for guests.

5. Teach the proper table manners, Phone manners and even appreciating, caring, sharing and check on proper moral attitudes.

Well, more on this and you can find on the wiki here on a guide to 'How to have Good Manners'. You may find more websites on Manners through Google Search on Kidsfreesouls Here.

Btw, I have routinely held sessions at Swagat on 'Manners' especially on Table Manners and simple outline of social skills and moral values. Here is a worksheet on Don't of Table Manners, supported to this session. I am sure, may parents and teachers will find this helpful to have a supportive class circulation copy while you teach Manners in your classroom/or even hang on clip board in your child's study room/bedroom. Enjoy!

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

Do you Spank your Brat Kid? Just 'Don't'

Ever wonder about the attitude of children? You come closer to the answer "Why my child acts the way I don't like'.

Many parents or teachers are helpless with children when spanking is the last resort they take to treat them right. No way, Spanking children is good for them as they turn more rude and naughty with their behavior patterns. So, what to do? Allow the child to act the way he wants or set control. Why does he act this way? Just ask a few simple questions and you know your answer.

For now, here's the Syndicated Author Blog post of mine appearing on book page of Amazon.com. You can read for the tips and check in for the book chapters on Spanking, Sibling Rivalry and other articles that thoughtfully discuss on Parenting. Read 'Inside the Book' features for a chapter to read and make your choice.

Here's the new post on the Blog, Guardian of Angels - Syndicated Blog , for quick read which appear on the Book Page too.

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

Enid Blyton Books

Enid Blyton, the most successful British writer to this date, was born on 11th August 1897 in London. She wrote many books, got too many criticisms too and even at the end of fifties, many Libraries refused to stock her books calling that kids would not read the great works of Literature if they picked these books.

Enid's Books and stories had excellent powerful narratives, filled kids with excitement and let children use their imagination to flow. The style of writing was clear as she created excitement and adventure with books like: Five on a Treasure Island (Famous Five), Secret Seven Collection, The Circus of Adventure (Adventure Series) and The Mystery Series, school stories such as Malory Towers, St Clare’s and The Naughtiest Girl, fantasy tales such as The Faraway Tree, The Enchanted Wood and The Wishing Chair, and of course the much-loved Noddy stories for younger children. The author wrote 700 stories and eight million of her books, including more than one million Famous Five tales, are still sold worldwide every year.Enid Blyton's works were owned by Chorion who announced in last January of it's emerging brands into global franchises. As a result, we find a number of Books in Indian markets and last, when I was at a newly opened Mall, I almost got tempted to buy Enid Blytons for children and add to my current Enid Blyton collections. No wonder, my ex-students and me - are all fans of Enid Blytons to this day! You can find Enid Blyton books here at Kidsfreesouls Store. Btw, did you know, Enid Blyton day is celebrated by the fans here by the Enid Blyton Society . And Here's a fan site where you can post your fan message too.

Btw, I mentioned earlier in my blog post of the Famous Five going high tech as Jo, Max, Allie and Dylan, the children of Enid Blyton’s original characters with their pet dog Timmy embark on a new series of adventures. A 21st Century remake for the Disney Cartoon series, the characters who crawled through secret tunnels are now the i-pod users who fight their enemies using modern day gadgets like the mobile phones, ipods and lap tops. The children in this modern remake will uncover a pirate DVD factory on nearby Shelter Island whereas earlier, there use to be Kidnap, mystery and smuggling operations.

And currently, the news around is that, The Famous Five, The Faraway Tree and Malory Towers will all be revisited for the first time in over half a century in 20 new books planned by the late author's estate. New stories from The Wishing-Chair, Malory Towers and The Secret Series books will be available in 2009. Currently, the booksellers are eagerly awaiting the launch on September 4 of the Famous Five’s Adventure Survival Guide. The publication of the guide is part of an effort by Chorion, the company that owns the rights to the Blyton canon, to breathe new life into the various brands and characters she created. Read more on this in Kidsfreesouls Google news. Enjoy.

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

Krishna - Festive spirits

As Marie Chapian said ‘Stay Happy in an unhappy World’, all you need to do is beat the blues, the blahs, the burnouts and other emotional hurts to achieve Happiness. Faith is a lamp that dispels ignorance….Faith is the hope that keeps you surfing on the waves of a sea of storms…Faith, a trust in tomorrow and dreaming God’s dream of a beautiful world, leads you from darkness to light and than there is Faith – Faith in the super power called ‘God’, a vision of unknown strength that lays down rules that restrict us to do the wrong!

Last three-four days had been too festive. 22nd Aug, been a 'cooking day' whole day long for the Hindus,to leave the food covered and eat for the next day. You can find on search on 'Shitla satam' for the significance. Next day, the fasting day to mark the midnight birthday of Lord Krishna. And today, been the celebrations with lunch consisting of 32 + vegetables and the traditional gujarati delicacies.

Hindus celebrated Lord Krishna Birth festival on 24th August, sunday this year. Krishna "Literally means Black" is the eighth incartion of Vishnu, born to Devaki and brought up by Yashoda. The purpose of his incarnation was to destroy his evil uncle Kansa who had taken the throne of Mathura. Krishna played a crucial role in Mahabharata and fully revealed his divinity to Arjuna, the son of Indra. Here's the Krishna Pages on Kidsfreesouls. Click for the Gita Review too!

Too much and it's sometimes 'Enough' - Isn't this so true? Gujaratis are often known as fun loving people and I really remember my Talkcity Team members happy for me as we enjoy whole year long festive spirits that we have here in India.

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

Video Games good for children?

How often it happens you want to buy a game for your child and do not know what to buy? So, here's Hasbro website to find Games, know them, get the promotions and offers. The big Click is actually playing the games with the Demos and Commercials. All you got to do is, Log in to Hasbro and get children click for the Demos and play a game. You can make your a choice out of the many and even see the commercials!

Games make great learning tools. Sometimes, it's share and learn with the games. In one Fordham University study, 122 students in fifth, sixth and seventh grades were asked to think out loud for 20 minutes while playing a game they had never seen before. Researchers studied the children's statements to see if playing the game improved cognitive and perceptual skills.While older children seemed more interested in just playing the game, younger children showed more interest in setting up a series of short-term goals needed to help them learn the game."The younger kids are focusing more on their planning and problem solving while they are actually playing the game, while adolescents are focusing less on their planning and strategizing and more on the here and now," said Fordham psychologist Fran Blumberg, who conducted the research last year and plans to submit it for publication. "They're thinking less strategically than the younger kids."

One study even looked at whether playing "World of Warcraft," the world's biggest multiplayer online game, can improve scientific thinking. Researchers at the University of Wisconsin at Madison looked at a random sample of 2,000 chat room posts about "World of Warcraft" to see what the players were discussing. The game is set in a fantasy world where players hunt, gather and battle to move their characters to higher levels. Players who work together succeed faster. The research found the game encouraged scientific thinking, like using systems and models for understanding situations and using math and testing to investigate problems. The vast majority of the discussion participants, 86 percent, shared knowledge to solve problems and more than half, 58 percent, used systematic and evaluative processes, researchers found.

Well, next time your child asks for a game to play on X Box or Playstation, get aware of the games and what to choose. Here's on Games and tips on follow to choose games for children. You can find more game links on For Kids page. Enjoy.

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

Newspaper for Kids with resources for parents and teachers

Blog Catalog - Another Facebook?

I am just a newbie with the Blog Catalog. If you're not listed, here's the good great chance to get featured into the Blog Catalog - a social networking service that allows Members to submit their blogs and create unique personal profiles online in order to find and communicate with other bloggers.

15th August had been the Blog Catalog Appreciation Day. It's a cool website, very interactive, informative and happenning. You can find new Blogs featuring in to make them your favorite. As a blogger, you can add friends, join neighborhoods, broadcast, join groups, enter discussions, add news feeds to check in your friend's activities or just about hang around to read what Bloggers write!

Here's Kidsfreesouls on Blog Catalog and you can join here to be a friend and share my BC Journey on web.

I guess this is a unique way to get aquainted but more, be a better blogger on the web. As we read what others write, we do get a lot of ideas and ways to present our blogs. Bloggers can unite and add on the creative widgets and tools to the blog. You can even get your Blog to the Spotlight. However, this comes with a fee but than, your hard work is all that you need to 'Show off' - Don't you? The latest news, tips and tool can be added to your blog too.

So, if you're having a blog, get listed in the wonder of the wonder 'Blog Catalog' - Be my friend or join me for discussions or more. Enjoy!

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

India Shining on Kidsfreesouls:Happy Independence Day

Kidsfreesouls wishes all Readers, "Happy Independence Day", here's India Shining on Kidsfreesouls with flag hoisting at Red Fort online. You can listen to the National Anthem 'Jana Gana Mana' and pay your tribute to India. On the occasion of the 61st year of India's independence, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, proudly presents the "Jai Hind" song and video as a salute to our great nation and a celebration of the spirit of national integration. The "Jai Hind" project aims to revive the use of "Jai Hind" as a contemporary greeting among India's youth. Read more here on Kidsfreesouls 'India' and watch the video.

On 61st Independence Day, the first thing that comes to mind, "Are we really Independent?" Is Poverty a major issue than illiteracy in India?

Well, M J Akbar delivered one of his finest speech in Dubai at Consulate General of India. He said, "four definitions for modernity: equality before law, equity of economic growth, internal & external security, and democracy. To achieve this, he said, fighting poverty is India's greatest challenge. If democracy in India has to succeed, we have to eradicate poverty... India became a democratic nation to give power to the people at the grassroots. The rich have always been in power. It is the poor who need to be empowered. But the good thing is that the poor in India are no longer ignorant. They have become aware." Read the speech here on MJ blog.

Today, India is a “Can-do” Nation, Democracy intact, jubiliation in Real. India, the land of Free proudly stand Independent and today as we commemorate the nation on its Anniversary of Independence, Kids Free Souls salutes all those immortal souls for the gallant undying contribution for the cause of freedom. Celebrate the dawn of another triumph year of Independence. Jai Hind.

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

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