Let Kids Grow Gracefully

How to helps kids Grow Gracefully? Parenting & Teaching is an experience that provides opportunities to discover the child and shape their future. Parents play a major role in promoting physical, emotional, spiritual and intellectual well being of a child.


It is important to set the six ‘Universal Truths’ to Teach your children to avoid the embarrassing consequences as they struggle their way to face the challenges.

> Teach the child to Believe in God & Believe in the things he can do.
> Create a better Bond with children. Show acceptance, participate in child’s life, demonstrate love, appreciate them & above all, make them feel that you are a proud happy parent/teacher
> Insist on positive language; criticize action and not the child. Avoid sarcasm
> Let the child understand the values in life. Set limits; fulfill commitments to the extent of status levels so as not to let him fly high
> Let the child develop sense of knowledge, feel capable and disciplined.
> Teach the power of self-esteem to contribute to a child’s happiness and emotional well being.

( From: WHY KIDS LIE - FLY HIGH! (In Guardian of Angels : A Practical guide to Joyful Parenting)



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

Father's Day - 21st June

Happy Father's Day to all Dads Online! Here's a small poem from Kidsfreesouls pages!



















What Makes A Dad?

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

He called it ... Dad

- Author is unknown

Well, A Dad is a complete man when he stands by Mom with 9 simple steps to bring up kids gracefully. Being a Dad is boundless love and enthusiasm. A dad us a 'Role Model' and I am sure, you too can be by following the simple management guidelines "Plan Purposefully, Prepare Prayerfully, Proceed Positively, Pursue Persistently." - Whether be at work place or while managing responsibility of a family.

Click for Why Father's Day and follow Dad, A Role Model article from my book, 'Guardian of Angels' - Also let Kids fill up Dad's Certificate and sing a song, "My Daddy is the best..."

Enjoy Life, stay tuned.

- ilaxi patel
Editor, http://www.kidsfreesouls.com/
Author of Guardian of Angels: A practical guide to Joyful Parenting

Setting parenting controls

It is learnt 50% of New Zealand parents set parental controls of their children’s’ surfing. That compares to a global average of 33% and rating higher than those in Australia (34%), the US (32%), Italy (30%), China (27%), Sweden (22%) and Japan (18%). Only UK (54%) and Canadian parents (52%) set more controls on their family computers. (source In Google News)

Almost every child who is on computers or online is apt to seek out content that is not monitored by parents. Normally, children do not want poking by parents on their activities especially when it comes to playing games on computers or ending up to social networking, making friends and interacting.

Setting up parenting control is not the only solution. Parents and Teachers need to provide 'Safe Internet Lessons' and highlight kids on web lanes and on unsafe landings. Before kids begin their web journey, it is not necessary to keep a watchful eye all the time and check on the History or set controls. It is more to teach on 'How to' and set their time schedules too. Also, important is the Computer area - closed doors and friends is always snoopy and sneaky fun. Let them feel free to talk to you and encourage open exchange of views. There are similarities and differences on how we grew up and how are kids are growing up and experiencing life.

What is required is 'Safety' - Internet isn't a bad place but a there are a few places on it. Much like a community, we need to scratch off the few from our lives and help our kids to keep away from the bad and the worst. I was just listening to the part of the series of Palm Breeze Cafe, Lee Keller and Kim Cavanaugh talk about protecting your children and students in the online community. About understanding the Internet and setting the controls and all on looking at both sides of the cyber-bullying that is sweeping across the country. From victims to perpetrators, Lee and Kim look at what parents and teachers can do. Parents and teachers need to understand the 21st century communication and of course, understanding the Internet ideology and technology to use as a part of social life. Check this on Kidsfreesouls You Tube here and more on Social networking and kids which might interest you and keep kids safe on the web. Also here's on chat and email etiquettes and on Blogging.

Btw, Here is the Hon'ble CM Narendra Modi of Gujarat with the Distance Teachers' Training Programme for the Elementary school teachers through Satellite Technology on 8th June 2009 at 11.00 am (IST) through the BISAG Studio, Gandhinagar. Over 1,94,000 Teachers over 4000 receiving Centers are participating in the Interactive Training Program. From 8-17th June, Teachers will get to watch and listen to eminent scholars as well as academicians as well as interact with them. You may log to Gujarat India website (State website) or CMs website for live webcast.

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

World Environment Day - Aesop's Birthday!

June 5, World Environment day and its taken as granted - a Celebrations with lot of programs in town! Check on to Kidsfreesouls News for the World Environment Day Happenning.

The First in Asia, Gujarat has set up 'Global Warming Department' and its the Forest and Environment Minister to speak on Radio FM to answer queries related to environment and spread awareness. Check the same in news section here.

Btw, 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. You can find many more on the web on Kidsfreesouls fairyland Page - the tales are exclusive widgets by Laura Gibbs. Here's 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.

Btw, ever thought of the moral values you find the fairy tales? It is more important to teach the kids to write the reviews once they finish reading a story or ask them to narrate the same. It often happens, children read but cannot understand or sometimes, they pretend to read but remain in a dreamy mood as they often admit they have not read the story! Here is a brief on what moral each story has.

Also find the June Calendar and Projects - It's Back to School again and busy getting ready to set the goals. Enjoy.

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

Shy Kids? Follow Kidsfreesouls tips...

Parenting shy kids is often a block to overcome. Quite often parents stumble to say "My son is shy" or "He's the shy one in the family" - This can backfire. People would often tag his as a shy one and treat him differently and reinforce his fear that something is wrong with him. Professional Football player and broadcaster Merlin Olsen almost gave up high school football because primary school classmates had labelled him "clumsy'. He felt so shy that he was reluctant to join in games. Olsen's parents urged him to reject the labels and stand up for himself. One day, out of his annoyance, Olsen taught a child a lesson who teased him and after this incident, it was wonders that he came out of shyness. Schoolmates didn't bully him anymore. It is here that one needs to be sympathetic and not critical to a child's shy feelings. Boost the child's ego. Such shy kids do have a poor self image and need special help dealing with rejection. Praise his strengths and brush off his weaknesses.

Here are some Kidsfreesouls tips to help to shrug off the 'shy blues' :

1. Build Confidence : Shyness robs a child many opportunities. Build the confidence. Praise his strengths and encourage him when he is a loser. Your motivation always counts.

2. Boost the Ego: Don't let the child down. Every child lives with self esteem. Boost his ego and inspire him at every step. A shy child often back away. Instead, motivate him by saying, "Yes, you did it last time, You can do it now'

3. Teach art of conversation: Shy child often lack communication. Maybe, not. However, encouraging to talk with topics of interest may trigger innerself and they may engage in conversation to opine their views. Some children who do not speak are presumed as 'shy nature' whereas in real sense, they need to communicate, discuss, debate with others. This will help to shrug off 'shy blues.'

4. Family bonds: A family bonded together makes a big difference. Let there be closeness and a unity in the family. Often the kids are keen observers and whatever they see and hear, reflects on their attitude. A stressed child is hurt out of love for the parents if there is even a slight bickering or fight between them. This may turn to his withdrawal and signals of introvert attitude and turn him to be 'silent' or 'shy' out of hurt feelings and lack of confidence.

5. Teach social skills: A simple 'Hi or Hello' - a wishing here and there, on occasions and even being open to thoughts. Simply let the kids engage for a while even when your friends are around instead of shooing them off to their room. Do not ever tell them, "Go to your room" while you try to teach them manners. Help them to be courteous to say, Hi and talk to the guest for some time before they leave you alone. Nobody likes to be 'unwanted.'

6. Engage in Activities: If you find your child shying away or rather slow to communication, engage in activities that calls for debating, group activities, etc. Kinds vibe well together while they work, play or choose for creative activities like coloring, music, sports, playing computer games, etc. Children love Activities of their interest which keep them live and going.

7. Ask for help at school: Shyness often shows itself at school. Talk to your child's teacher. Inform her of special interests about which the child may be questioned and so gradually, the teacher can encourage him to take courage to answer more questions spontaneously.

Many times, parents often get stressed with children esp. in vacations when they constantly get bored playing indoors. Call in playmates into your home instead of sending him out saying "Go to Bins House to play" . Throw parties like 'archie reading', 'cartoon watching', 'singing hour' - support with their favorite simple things to eat like wafers, biscuits and cookies, sandwiches and soft drinks. Children will love this and so will your child.

It's patience that is all the way needed by a parent or a teacher to tackle with the issue of shyness. It's understanding, patience to support and patience not to demand results. Loving way makes wonders and kids can be pulled out of his shyness, just by 'Tender Loving Care'.

Keep the Faith!

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

Like this Article? Also read 'Overcoming Stage Fright' Build Confidence Attitude

Google 'Doodle' Vote for kids

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

The Google 'Doodle 4 Google' competition had been for the US and this year, approximately 400 Doodles were chosen. You can find the List of the State finalists and the creations here. You can help Google to select National Finalist from 40 regional winners. Your Vote Counts! Voting begins from May 11 to 18th. Winners will appear on 21st May 2009. Just click to the Student grades and Vote for the Best. Click to the Doodles and amazing Ideas from children. World Peace, Spread Literacy, Save Energy, Be Friendly nations, Stop War, Recycle the future, healthy world, etc are the messages through Doodles.

The Google 'Doodle 4 Google' Competition is an inspiration for all children all over the world and get them surf all the participant's Doodles. Especially, the messages that go well with the Doodles. It's amazing to see Ideas that can click and children can be so creative just with the motivation.

If you are a Teacher or a Parent, Get kids to write or paint and pin up the Doodles in your School/home/club paste boards. Even you can send to Kidsfreesouls to add to Paste Board section.

Btw, here is Chief Google Doodler Dennis Hwang drawing away the Doodles...It's fun to watch! Also here's last year's Awards for Doodles

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

Newspaper for Kids

Edward Lear's Limericks & How to write Poetry!

Edward Lear, an English writer and artist, became famous for his humorous poems for children. Born in London on May 12 1812, Lear's first book of poems, "A Book of Nonsense" (1846) ranks as a masterpiece of children's literature. His best known "The owl and the Pussy-cat" became a classic too.

That old man of Melrose
Who walked on tip of his toes
But they said it ain't pleasant
To see u at present
You stupid old man of Melrose

Well, Limericks is a form of humorous verse. It takes it's name from the city of Limerick, Ireland. No one knows how or where the form originated. It became known after Edward Lear made the form popular with his first "A Book of Nonsense (1846). The Limerick is a poem of five lines, with strong beat and rough anapaestic rhythm (i.e. de-de-DUMM). It is written in Poulter's measure, a Folk Metre that consists of 13 beats. The first two lines rhyme with the fifth, the third line rhymes with the fourth.

Parents often come to me and request that their kids learn to write poetry - Just because their poetry need to be selected and they have to recite at a Recitation competition or get it printed in the school magazine.

Learning to write poetry in two to four sessions is not a miracle. Kidsfreesouls suggest Poetry Soup Ideas and here's some simple steps:

1. Build Vocabulary - two-three-four-five-six letter words - Be familiar with words and just words
2. Rhyme words - Find all rhyming words and make a list
3. Select topics from Poetry Soup - Write on school, hobby, animals, etc.
4. Say some Tongue Twisters - To get familiar with rhyming words with pleasure when you say "Betty bought some butter, but the butter was bitter, so betty bought some better butter, to make the bitter butter, better."
5. Let imagination swirl - Write down all your great ideas.

Now, when I talk of Rhymes, words rhyming together give a musical chime of sound and this is the reason why rhyme is so much used. I am fond of rhyming words and I think, Internal rhymes also add music. For eg.

"The Ice was here and the Ice was there,
The Ice was all around;
It cracked and growled, and roared and howled,
Like noises in a sound!"

Vowel and Consonant sound words like long open vowels and soft consonants like l, m, n, v, w, z, etc produce sweet, soft, soothing music. Alliteration is yet another way to add zing to poetry. Repetition of words and phrases in poetry not only emphasize the meaning but often give musical effect to the poem.

For eg. "In ever climbing up a climbing wave" (Tennyson) or "The western tide crept up along the sand, And o'er and o'er the sand, And round and round the sand" (Kingsley)

Another thing I observed while writing Poetry. Poets have three ways of making us see mental pictures as we let our Imagination soar higher to pen down:

1. By Description : Describing a scene, character, real or ideal, in words. Eg. Henry Longfellow's 'Rain in Summer' (Search in Google Here)
2. By Figures of Speech : Such as simple, metaphor and personification. Compare one thing with another.
3. By Picturesque way : A poet can call up for a picturesque image with descriptive words like, eg. "All in a hot and copper sky, The bloody sun, at noon" (Coleridge)

Imagination and Emotions - two things to blend for an appeal. And which other poetry can go best than 'Daffodils' by William Wordsworth (Search in Google Here) - It touches the heart as we recite to end up,

"...They flash upon that inward eye, Which is the bliss of solitude; And then my heart with pleasure fills, And dances with the daffodils."

Well, here is Edward Lear's Profile (Born on 12th May) and Limericks by Edward Lear.Also find Poetry Learning Pages and My Poetry here. Also Josie Whitehead and even Artie Knapp's poetry on kidsfreesouls pages. Enjoy!

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

Search for keywords 'Edward Lear' 'Limericks' 'Jumblies' How to write a poem' 'How to write Limericks' 'tongue twisters' poetry for children in kids newspaper' in kidsfreesouls Search

Rabindranath Tagore!

Watch the video - nicely done!

Rabindranath Tagore, born on 7th May, 1861 had paid tribute to Shakespeare's power to communicate with Indians in a short, simple, lyrical poem. Published in Bengali beside Tagore's English translation by the Oxfort University Press in 1916. The Translation is:

When you arose, world poet, from behind the unseen
England found you within her horizon
And embraced you; took you to be her own,
Hers alone, she kissed your shining brow,
Clasped you a while within her sylvan arms, dandled
You were hidden in her mist-mantle
In flower covered dewy green meadows
Where fairies played.
As yet the isle's groves
Were not awake to hymn the poet-sun's true reckoning
You left the horizon lap and through centuries ascended
To that zenith for which you were intended
Your radiant throne at the centre of heaven,
Illuminating all minds; Her how, after an aeon
The palm groves on the shores of the Indian Ocean
Rustle their fronds and murmur their paean.

You can find Tagore pages here with the National Anthem, words and music score with download. Also Gitanjali Extracts, poems by Rabindraji and his profile. Rabindranath Tagore was awarded Nobel Prize in 1913 for Gitanjali.

You can find the best poem on Children here:

On the seashore of endless worlds
children meet. The infinite sky is
motionless overhead and the restless
water is boisterous. On the seashore
of endless worlds the children meet
with shouts and dances. - More here.

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

Tips to Set right Mood Swings of Kids - summer activities

The book ‘Keep your brain alive’ by Lawrence Katz says that the routine living dulls our minds and hence, Creative expression gives brains a workout, activating new circuits in our gray matter. It builds in courage while attempting new things, shrugging off routine and trying something we’re not already good at.

Kids too, often fail to respond to parents in what they are not good at. Due to lack of confidence, many children shrug off the idea for indulging into a Reading activity. Though parents like the idea of a Library, I often found reluctance in making the child join a 'Reading Class.' Most of the adults look for books like Harry Potter, Enid Blyton or Nancy Drew. However, the fact remains that the child need to cultivate reading habit and learn to read the easier fairy tales' books.

Kids normally hang on to activities they feel ease at. Mostly common is Drawing & coloring. Dancing, playing, computing, singing etc. are other activities that draw their attention. Their patience wane within minutes as kids are unable to stick to a particular activity for a long time. And it so happens, children often swing off their moods. They want to 'do this' and 'do that' as parents keep on pressurizing them to join an activity. They even hook to binge eating, get irritated and behave weird.

It is here to follow the simple Kidsfreesouls Tips and check their moods before plunging to activity selections for them as they are sure to change their moods and switch over activities too!

Be Positive – Kids simply need to smile away the bad blues. Find what they like the best and let them engage in these activities. Do not force. Just leave them with options to choose their most loved pass time. Be it cartoon watching, reading or drawing and coloring. They are going to learn something from this too.

Keep in touch with Nature - Most of the urban living parents have stopped seeing Nature. Let the child explore - Sun, moon and the stars. Take them for excursions or let them enjoy nature even at home. Go to the terrace and show stars, go to the open fields and let them run and play. May is the month of Flowers - Take them to gardens and let them be free.

Let there be Good Food - Mood swings are often fuelled by neurotransmitters in the brain that are turned on and off by the food we eat or we don’t. Hence, serve food that do not make the kids go 'cranky' - Give nutritious helpings and avoid the five whites - sugar, white flour, milk, salt and rice. Fill the platter with more fruits and water especially in summer.

Be Happy: Listen to good music to keep you in good spirits. Relax those brain cells with soft, melodious, meditative music. Listening to Rock and heavy metal blurs the mind cells.

Pinpoint the problem: Chat not argue or discuss. Sometimes, kids like to be treated with respect. They do not like to be commanded. If they fail to choose an activity inspite of your telling him to do, do not argue. Instead, talk over. Find out the reason and what they have to say. Their say is more important as they are the ones who have to indulge in a summer activity. Give them options and sort for reason why an activity is good for them.

Go for walks: Most of the important decisions are made while 'Walking' as mind is relaxed and at peace. Go for walks together - morning or evening. Kids are more happier when on move. Mood swings disappear as laziness sulks away.

Well, most of the adults need to conquer anxiety. Turn anxiety to energy and stop comparisons or herd mentality. Because a child is good at Guitar playing, it is not necessary your child should be playing Guitar. He can excel in Keyboards. Stick to own beliefs and limitations of the child.
Here's the May Month Calendar and Projects. Make a choice and let the kids indulge in their chosen activity from the list. You can print your own Calendar from the Printables of DLTK's Free Custom Calendars. Also find more Crafty Ideas to sit with kids and take prints. Enjoy.

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

Search for keywords 'free printables' 'creativity and kids' 'fairy tales', projects for kids', 'drawing and coloring sheets for kids', 'music for kids', 'books for children', 'children's library' in kidsfreesouls Search here

Yoga - Change4Life

A Change4Life campaign was held in UK with a government survey carried on 260,000 people. The Survery was to tackle soaring rates of Obesity by promoting healthy eating and exercise. The results showed nearly three-quarters (72%) of children do not take part in the recommended hour of daily activity outside school. Its latest poll also found 45% of youngsters watched TV or played non-active video games before school. Only 22% did something active after their evening meal. Here's more on this in Google News.

Recently, I have been passing my week-ends at Sports club at the Library or casually at the Cafe Court or watching a movie. I have observed, most of the children who visit the Library turn towards the cyber cafe area and engage themselves by hooking up to a computer playing games. Quite often, due to slow download of the game, children impatiently stare at the screen or awkwardly wait in frustration for the game download. While casually talking to some of them, I find Children are more dedicated to sitting in their room playing on their computers and watching television. Reading or Exercise is almost on the back seat. Sports and Yoga classes is just for fun as parents force them to engage in an activity. Talk about Indoor activities and its boring noons with computer games and cartoon watching.

Inactivity often leads to harmful mind, body and soul effects. Obesity is on a rise and in comes diabetic tendencies with heart problems later on. The need of the hour is Exercise for fitness and reading for the brain.

Yoga for Children is an essential part to integrate in a child's routine for perfect physical health and mental well being. You can read more on this on Meditation page. For Children, grab a copy of the book 'Yoga for Children' by Swati and Rajiv Chanchani. Each Yoga posture is explained through photographs, drawings, stories and detailed instructions with important do's and don'ts and benefits of each pose. Meant for parents and teachers, the book comprise specific guidelines to practice Yoga creatively, enjoyably and safely.

For parents and teachers, I suggest Yoga by Richard Hittleman. I happened to follow the 28 day Exercise Plan of this book of Yoga by Richard Hittleman and sure, it hit high to shoot all five stars in my fav list. If a work out plan for 20-30 minutes per day is followed with this book, it sure is an accomplishment to good frame of mind, body and soul.

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

World Book and Copyright Day

"All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts, His acts being seven ages.

At first the infant, Mewling and puking in the nurse's arms;
Then the whining school-boy, with his satchel And shining morning face, creeping like snail Unwillingly to school.

And then the lover,
Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad,
Made to his mistress' eyebrow.

Then a soldier, Full of strange oaths,
and bearded like the pard, Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel,
Seeking the bubble reputation Even in the cannon's mouth.

And then the justice, In fair round belly with good capon lin'd,
With eyes severe and beard of formal cut, Full of wise saws and modern instances;
And so he plays his part.

The sixth age shifts Into the lean and slipper'd pantaloon,
With spectacles on nose and pouch on side, His youthful hose,
well sav'd, a world too wide For his shrunk shank; and his big manly voice,
Turning again toward childish treble,pipes And whistles in his sound.

Last scene of all, That ends this strange eventful history, Is second childishness and mere oblivion; Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans every thing. "

April 23 we recall Shakespeare Literature as we observe World Book and Copyright Day. This day, Unesco seeks to promote reading, publishing and the protection of intellectual property through copyright. On 23rd April, great personalities, Cervantes, Shakespeare and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega all died. It is also the date of birth or death of other prominent authors such as Maurice Druon, K.Laxness, Vladimir Nabokov, Josep Pla and Manuel Mejía Vallejo. The idea for this celebration originated in Catalonia where on 23 April, Saint George's Day, a rose is traditionally given as a gift for each book sold.

To mark the World Book and Copyright Day celebrations, every year, we have 'Archies Day' and Reading session - open for all children at Swagat to promote Reading activities and enhance literacy skills. Here is How to write Poetry and How to write a Story and children can be encouraged to write on these lines as kids can be motivated to write Short Stories. Click for Projects on Literature and log on to Reading and Fairyland. Here are some Tips to Literature Learning too.

Shakespeare occupies a unique position in world literature. His works include 37 plays, including comedy, Tragedy and Historical along with Poems, sonnets. Shakespeare is astonishingly clever with words and images, so that his mental energy, when applied to intelligible human situations, finds full and memorable expression, convincing and imaginatively stimulating and to read his stuff is a rich experience for a life time. It has ever been great to read 'Romeo & Juliet', Hamlet, Midsummer Night's dream, Tempest, As you Like It, Merchant of Venice, King Lear and all the stuff that we taught in Literature Lessons at School.

This World Book Day, grab a book, share a book and I am sure, you will love to be literature savvy at Kidsfreesouls as I keep adding more profiles to the Literature Index. Read my Amazon.com Reviews and buy great books too.Enjoy.

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

Earth Day 2009

Earth Day 365 days on Kidsfreesouls. As you keep reading the Earth Talk Q & A every week in English and Spanish, here's 10 Personal Actions That Can Make A Difference for the Environment and 10 Issues to Write Your Congressperson (and Educate Your Friends and Neighbors) - Save Mother Earth.

It is our responsibility to teach our children and provide learning tools and thinking skills needed to make our Environment safer with their participation. We need to provide a framework from which young people may act in a positive manner with a sense of hope for sustainable future. It is necessary for kids to learn how to green their lives and understand the smaller details to sustain life. There are tons of things kids can help to bring about changes to make a difference as switching off the lights to use less energy, turning things from waste to best, growing trees, saving water resources, etc. Just follow 365 days Earth Talk tips here and follow the below sites for more details on 'How to bring about a Difference to save Nature - Mother Earth'


Here's 'Green your School' Guide by Earth Day Network with Facilities, Food, Transportation, Recreation, Curricula and Classrooms. The site offers extensive research, teacher lesson plans and student action plans. Explore science-based and standards-aligned Lesson Plans for green schools.



The Energy Star Kids is a fun way learn for kids as the Department of Energy offers multiple activities online for kids. Parents and Teachers can download lesson plans and Games and Activities.

Btw, Kidsfreesouls had earlier taken Drawing & Coloring competitions in schools and children were told to write ten sentences on 'How to Save Environment' with a classroom debate on the topic - In the process, there has been a successful attempt to bring about awareness to a mass number of students with concerns to Environmental Issues. Here are some pictures in Color Paste Board and Kids online can add your pictures too by emailing Kidsfreesouls.

Here's on Earth Hour - Switch off the lights for an hour every day! click for the earlier note. Join me at Facebook and use the Earth hour application or log on to join Kidsfreesouls Friend connect to spread the message.

I suppose, we can together build a heaven on earth and save our Environment - Be it environment, health issues, population concerns, Poverty or the Rich-poor gap, Energy, food & water, whatever.... Be Concerned!

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

Literacy and Creativity - in Summer Vacation

Literacy in Summer Vacation can be a source of enjoyment. Parents and teachers often pester kids for ‘Reading’ as strong language and literacy skills are essential for children’s success in school and in life. Those parents who fail to encourage kids for reading and writing, often end up failure in school by the end of the primary grades. If the base is strong, the senior schooling finds way to effective learning and children can easier imbibe the notes with quality educative learning skills.

(Find more pics by Swagat Kids )
Swagat Children Library introduces to creative, slow and steady progress with the required components of language and literacy that finds way with enhanced development as home-schooling finds way for motivation. The Yearly program includes :

1.Literacy learning as ‘Fun n Learn’ Reading
2.Vocabulary building and oral language skills
3.Phonetic awareness
4.Word building
5.Grammar skills
6.Speech skills
7.Narrating skills
8.Comprehensions
9.Review Writing
10.Projects & Scrap books
11.Arts as a medium
12.Music as fun
13. Poetry and creative writing

Apart from this, round the year, the kids have Talking (chit-chat sessions), playing and singing. The chit-chat sessions find way to communication and easier way to interact, playing games calls for critical thinking and music for rote learning and enhancing memory skills.

Through work of Arts, most of the children develop creative, critical and thinking skills. They can express their ideas imaginatively and interact constructively with others. Children are able to communicate with broader vocabularies as they construct meaningfully while understanding the concepts with their own creations. Children are often found to expose their thoughts and diverse culture.

As for playing Educational games, they provide a break from the routine language learning as they are motivating and challenging, giving opportunity for language practice that can help to build language skills. Games like the Word Search, Cross words, word games like ‘Scrabble’ or word memory games are often played by children together. They should be allowed to share words and play games as fun and learn. Such activities have a value in reading classrooms and help kids to develop critical thinking through problem solving. Those students, who are taught to think critically, lean how to read more carefully, learn to listen better and pay closer attention to details. Moreover, they are more confident and enhance the power of knowledge.

As for singing in classroom, music is fun and more a rote learning method with some of the well framed rhymes and songs. It enhances memory skills and makes their imagination soar as musical activity invite them to play and interact in the activities with their peers. With guidance from parent/teacher and innate curiosity of the children, children apply problem solving and social skills. They establish good relationships, show interest in others, take turns fairly, interact verbally and non verbally with smiles and nods, have self control, show co-operation, build confidence, feel independent, empathy, etc. Music provides children not only the opportunities for aesthetic and creative development but also forms social development and social skills.
Reading aloud, story telling, story re-telling, writing reviews and letters are just about fun learning with dozens of activities to go for a an hour, twice a week or even for a day – just makes a difference.

Here are some Tips to Literature Learning that can work best for kids. However, follow the simple steps to form Reading habits. Click to Fairyland and encourage kids to write ‘Weekly review Journal’ of stories they’ve read with a simple jot down in the scrap book (Spiral bound books). Read more on my earlier blog post on this. Also set up a site on Google to record classroom reads. Even a parent can set up a site and record all stories the child has read and add reviews too.

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

Online Poll for Nasa's greatest hits for Earth begins

You can now vote online for the most important contribution the space agency has made to exploring Earth and improving the way we live on our home planet. NASA is conducting the survey as part of its celebration of Earth Day, April 22. Voting closes on April 21. Poll results will be announced on NASA's Web site on Earth Day.

A 2008 National Research Council study identified major accomplishments resulting from Earth observations made from space. The report, "Earth Observations from Space: The First 50 Years of Scientific Achievements," cataloged scientific discoveries and practical applications, including many that resulted from NASA missions, made possible from satellite observations. NASA selected 10 candidates highlighted in the study for consideration as the greatest achievements about planet Earth. The options include diagnosing Earth's ozone layer, predicting food shortages and tracking ecosystems worldwide. Visitors to the online polling site will be able to cast their votes for up to three candidate accomplishments.

Since the launch of the United States' first satellite in January 1958, NASA has pioneered the exploration of our home planet from space. With more than a dozen observation satellites circling the globe, NASA continues to advance the frontiers of scientific discovery about Earth, its climate and its future. NASA's multidisciplinary Earth science program contains a broad-based portfolio of cutting-edge science and technology, from new remote-sensing instruments in orbit to basic research. To cast your votes, visit here. Click for more information about Earth Day and NASA. (PR)

Here's Kidsfreesouls Nasa Space. Find Educational material for Teachers and Parents too.

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

Newspaper for Kids

Friedrich Froebel-Kindergarten system

Friedrich Froebel, the German founder of Kindergarten system was born in April 1782. He changed the way we think about early childhood education. Friedrich started a Play and Activity Institute which featured games, play, songs, stories, and crafts to stimulate imagination and develop physical and motor skills. He designed balls, wooden blocks, tiles, sticks and rings to demonstrate that children learn by playing. These objects were important part of child's life as these gifts will teach the child to use his environment as an educational aid, give a child an indication between human life and nature and create a bond between the adult and the child.

Children need the moral support and physical care from parents and teachers. With changing time, children need caring of future needs to growth of development. The word 'Kindergarten' mean, kinder + garten = Infant garden - garden for children in tune to nature where they can grow in free atmosphere in open surroundings. When Friedrich Froebel flourished the Kindergarten, he thought of kids to be tiny flowers who need the care and flower.

His kindergarten system consisted of three aspects:

games and songs

construction

gifts and occupations

His philosophy of education rested on four basic components:

free self-activity

creativity

social participation

motor expression

Now, the whole meaning changes and kids need to learn more than just the nursery rhymes or the first abc. Self activity and motor expression - doing things themselves is almost left behind. Parents actively set up their routines with extra-curricular activities of their own choice. Children need to compete with their peers and with the technology booming in, computers and mobiles have found way to the smaller kids who just pick up the gadgets and find way to communicate. Moreover, closed activities indoors need a break for a changeover to view the outside world - into gardens, parks and places of kids interest like the zoo, picnic spots, etc. Kids learn faster in open spaces and like we have the system of 'Shantiniketan' in India (started by Rabindranath Tagore) - studying in open skies in a garden, under the shade of trees is a unique way of learning. A balance with indoor and outdoor activity is just the need of the hour.

For more on Friedrich Froebel, surf google and you are sure to find great links. Enjoy!

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

Summer Projects, Titanic info

Kidsmango is an Online Video Platform - devoted exclusively for preschooler kids upto 12 years. The site is divided into three sections - for Juniors, Kids and Maniacs....This summer, kids can have fun viewing Cartoons online or just play games as you browse through Resources on Kidsfreesouls and the all 'For Kids' page.

Kids Mango Popeye

Children do love exploring and summer time is none other than just to relax and enjoy. If you are not sending children for camps, let them feel cozy at home, watching cartoons, playing games or just reading Fairyland and making Projects. They can make Projects on Literature, stories, Vocabulary Projects (wordsearch & worksheets) or even on 'Ships'. Let the kids gather information on Titanic, Bismark or Popeye the Sailor. Popeye the Sailor is just about a favorite cartoon adventure and kids can explore the site, download wallpapers and paste stickers in their scrap books. Watch a video of Popeye the Sailor and I am sure, kids will love to watch this too.

Here's info on Titanic for the Project on 'Ships' as sinking of Titanic was the worst maritime disasters in history. This British luxury liner 'Titanic' of the White Star Line, struck an iceberg about 153 km south of the Grand Banks of Newfoundland just before midnight at 11.40 p.m. on April 14, 1912 and the sinking of the ship continued in the early hours of April 15, 1912 in the ice cold waters of North Atlantic. Titanic Disaster occured on the linear’s first voyage from Liverpool to New York city. Of the more than 2220 persons aboard, about 1513 died including the American millionaires John Jacob Astor, Benjamin Guggenheim, and Isidor Straus. The ship weighed 46,000 gross tons. It measured 269 metres in length. The ship had been proclaimed unsinkable because of its 16 watertight compartments, but the iceberg punctured five of them, one more than had been considered possible in any accident, and the Titanic sank in less than three hours. The ocean linear Carpathia responded to the distress calls of Titanic arrived two hours later after it had sunk.

Most of us have seen the movie but do you know, it was American built Alvin that can carry Oceanographers as deep as 3600 m (12000 ft). It is equipped with underwater lights, cameras, a television system and a mechanical manipulator to collect bottom samples. This was used in 1986 and took pictures of Titanic. Robert Submersible which go deep as 20000 ft. used for underwater exploration such as "Argo" was used in 1985 to locate the wreck of Titanic and a smaller Robot called "Jason" was used to explore the wreck.

Well, another sinking of the German Battle ship 'Bismark' was during World War II and it was first the Reuters reported news from Britain that the ship was sunk. You can find details of this warship here on wiki.

Btw, We all know, Leonardo Da Vinci began working in 1495 over the Last Supper painting. He finished The Last Supper in 1498 with all the controversies hovered around who was sitting next to Jesus. The Book "Da Vinci Code" by Dan Brown reflects his research on the Code of Leonardo. Here is Leonardo Da Vinci's Profile as he was born on 14th April. Kids can add the profile in their Literature collection.



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

Newspaper for kids

Easter

The word Easter comes from the festival of Eostre, teutonic goddess of Spring. Here's Easter page on Christmas site on Kidsfreesouls and Easter Wordsearch printable for kids in Grammar Fun section.

Was Jesus Crucified? There's lot contradictions you find through search. Some say, Jesus was never crucified and his tomb lay in India! A lot is said in Dan Brown's Book and the recent Gospel of Judas reveal Judas as a hero and not a betrayer. Read more here and on the web - whether true or not, the controversies keep hovering over as more authors and writers keep digging into research of these bygone history.



Click to add such clip art Graphics to your blog/website/my space, etc.

Btw, Here comes the Easter Fun on the web for kids. Get the kids to laugh, get the kids to spark passion, get kids to move on, get kids to get educational, get kids to explore...a whole lot of ideas on the web with the spring chicks, eggs and easter bunnies along with lot of stuff for easter celebrations including worksheets.

Some of the best links to get children engaged in Easter Crafts this year are:

1. Family Easter Fun
2. Easter Party - Printables
3. Activity Collection - Easter Printables
4. Free coloring Pages - Easter
5. Easter Word Search and Christmas pages

You can explore to find Easter Songs as children love music. Easter song, 'Hot Cross Buns' is a favorite of many children and I am sure you will find more interesting songs here. Enjoy.

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

World Health Day

World Health Day, April 7 and it comes with a message to be concerned for our own Health as well as children and all in the family. Of late, I am not able to blog on my Austin-Statesman Readers' Blog but you can always check in the Archives and look for updates as I will be placing research based Health articles here. Also Subscribe the Blog Widgets from the newly made Widget page here.

Research finds that Children's consumption of Fruit is too low. One in ten eat No Fruit with children below six years. At Swagat, my findings reveal - hardly one child eats a Fruit per week out of average 25 kids! The evenings are almost with Pizza and Sandwiches! There has been a rise in obesity in last many years and a considerable decline in spending more time for outdoor games. A diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables can help in tackling obesity. With pollution, asthma and wheezing is on rise all over the world and here comes in fruits and vegetables with all the Vitamin C to reduce the symptoms in children as well as adults. In 1991 WHO recommended that people should eat 400 gm (five portions) of fruits and vegetables everyday to reduce risk of cancer. Since than, fruits and vegetables are on top priorities. Well, here's Enchanted Learning with craft for kids - a 3D fruit Craft.

More Junk and that's getting to be more obese! More fruits and vegetables and that's the way to live healthy! - How often parents and teachers tell the children yet the daily diet consist of the Pizza, Burger and all sorts of canned food and desserts. Schools cutting Fats in Food is always found welcoming and classroom activities to enhance children, the importance of fruit and vegetables have found to be useful. Parents and teachers need to act as role models as they demonstrate healthy eating habits. Schools can have 'Fruit only tuck shops and integrate fruit and vegetables into a children's culture in a positive way.

Children have happier times in Summer. Apart from eating habits, let them engage in Sports - activities like Swimming, skating, riding a bicycle, dancing to music, roller skating or even taking the pet for a walk. Maybe, just Walk - together matters. Kids are power house with full vigor and are found to be kicking and jumping all through the day and not just sit on a couch and watch television. This World Health day, make it a concern to count on those calories and have Fun activities for them. Working to fitness can be made a routine as you set the schedule and supplement your life with the techniques of Yoga - the Sudarshan Kriya (Art of Living healing breadth techniques) and Pranayama.

After all, a 20 minutes routine towards Health can change your life and your kid's life too.

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

Summer Vacation - Activities and fun time

Be it dancing, arts, skating or computers - Summer Vacations are so much fun for kids that kids seem to be learning everything with exhaustive classes! Parents are more conscious of their child's extra curricular activities since last many years as lifestyles have changed with competitive edge.

As Swagat announces Creative classes this summer, it might be a motivating idea to many to start creative activities in their own locality. Moreover, explore the NIE Tips section and Projects for Kids - I am sure, children will love to hop and jump with glee with various Internet activities and Resources apart from playing outdoor games, singing, dancing or Reading - Fairyland stories or draw, color, paste stickers and make posters that you can hang on paste board.

Children possess unexpected perceptions that we can think of as they express their Imaginations in many different ways. It is a parental role to Nurture a Genius in a child and provide them environment to feel free to indulge in their chosen activity and rather, not force the child to select an activity as per your choice.

Here are some tips that parents or teachers can follow to help a child be Creative:

1. Provide Opportunity : If opportunity knocks the door, children can do wonders. Give them a chance to choose their own activity and let them be free to engage in it.

2. Provide Time : Summer time is ample time for children. However, if your lifestyle is busier, make some space to spare time with kids. Arrange your own schedule and take out time. Children like to have fun with parents.

3. Provide Space : Children like colors and all that glitters gold. Give them good space - green environment, fresh morning and evening hours that can have activities outdoors and afternoons can be cozy and cool, in-house. Do not hang or nag on what they do and do not even insist that the child complete the drawing or coloring. Next day is always there for unfinished work. Also, allow them to be with friends too.

4. Provide Material / or any other : Make available material for Arts, Sports or any other Activity. As such children like fancy things. So, let them have tools that can soar their imagination. Eg. for drawing and coloring, give them all the fancy pencils and colors, if making a project on fairyland stories, provide Scrap book, story books, review sheet, stickers, etc.

5. Provide your Interest : Your Interest in a child's activity is very important. The nearest person to a child is You. Show your Interest, express your views, talk about your childhood activities. Children love to hear your stories and sure, they want you to take interest in what they do and will open up and express their joy in what they are doing. Eg. If a child has read a story, encourage him to narrate it or if he plays a game on computer, listen to his excited talks about it. Do not pin him down over small matters.

6. Provide Occasion : Summer is Party time. Take children for excursions or tours to places. They love to go for picnics and love traveling. You can also organize 'Theme based parties' like Barbie doll party or 'Game party' - Even Literature parties go great where a group of friends make Literature projects and set the theme, call all friends and share knowledge or maybe ''worksheets and grammar fun.

7. Set up Days : For busy schedules, spare time with kids by setting up days. Saturday can be an outing, sunday set for Fun Time together watching a movie or cooking a meal. Monday can be reading sessions, tuesday set for arts and crafts, wednesday for music and friday can be computing and playing games on computer and Internet. Apart from this, plan for projects, creativity like poetry writing or story writing. Just Plan activities.

Btw, click to Ziggityzoom and it's a Fun Place to zoom around! You can play games, color pictures, read and listen to stories and even mini videos and have fun around. The site also has freebies, worksheets, articles and kids printables. The site has easier navigation and appears in ALA Great sites for kids too. Created by Mother-daughter as a team, Kristine Fitch and Sharon Pierce McCullough, indeed have made all efforts to provide resources for kids and parents as well. Enjoy.

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

We are the World - with subtitles

Listen to We are the World, We are the children...a song that is so close to my heart and sure, you will like to listen and sing along the lyrics too... (In my You Tube fav)

Well, I just blogged on my meet with CM Narendra Modi and the web team here on my Ex Ed Sambhaav Blog.

Btw, just click to kidsfreesouls for the latest updates on News. Dholavira in Kutch, Gujarat is rated as 'Seven wonders of India' among the many other places - an initiative of NDTV AND Incredible India project.

You may also find the April calendar and Projects link.

- Enjoy.

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