Monday, May 16, 2011

Summer fun - Welcome to Kidsfreesouls Fairyland

Summer Activity in May - Welcome to Fairyland! Once upon a time....Thus begins the tale and right away, from those first few words, one's heart warms in anticipation of fantastic wonders and the unexpected, the end! There are wonderful fairy tales all around the world and fairy tale writers have just charmed, not only the children but adults too. There are still insufficient stories to satisfy the need of children for fresh stories. Hence, here's Fairy Land - with the old and new tales - for you, me and us.

It's said, "Fairy tales are fiction, yet hold a hint or two, That no bold hero dare deem untrue."

A child may be reading or Listening - Grimm's tales with the enchanting stories so popular, to name a few like the Hansel & Gretel, Red Riding Hood, Snow White, Rumpelstiltskin, Cinderalla, Sleeping Beauty. Or, whichever the Story reads.


Read More:

Fairyland Stories Fairy Fantasy Fairy Quiz

- ilaxi patel
Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Kids Newspaper
Author of Guardian of Angels

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Access to safe and clean water a “human right" - In Environment Q & A

This week's Environment column speaks of 2009 World Health Organization and UNICEF study found that 24,000 children in developing countries die each day (one every three-and-a-half seconds) from preventable causes like diarrhea resulting from polluted water.) In 2010, United Nations (UN) agreed to a new resolution declaring the human right to “safe and clean drinking water and sanitation.”

In many rural villages in Gujarat, improved access to Water is about more than having something to drink, access to Water, Improves Quality of Life for Women and Children, Getting Water to Crops, and Slow and Steady Irrigation works wonders. There has been improved sanitation facilities for women and girls. Gujarat rural areas are developing with the bare necessities and more, Educating the women who learn to be literate and stop the drop out ratio which stand 58% amonst children going to school.

A worth read digging to Earth Talk Q & A:

Recently the UN voted to declare access to safe and clean water a “human right.” Isn’t that a no-brainer? What are the ramifications of this declaration? - P. James, Boston, MA



A 2009 World Health Organization and UNICEF study found that 24,000 children in developing countries die each day (one every three-and-a-half seconds) from preventable causes like diarrhea resulting from polluted water. Pictured. An Ethiopian girl drinks water from a newly-installed hand pump.

Were Japan to close all its nuclear plants following the recent damage and radiation leaks from the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, what could its energy mix look like? Would it be able to provide all of its power in other ways? - Richard Miller, New York, NY


Japan would be hard pressed to close all of its 54 nuclear reactors anytime soon, especially given that these plants provide over a third of the nation’s electricity supply and 11 percent of its total energy needs.


- In Environment column

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

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Leave your footprints - Readers Survery for Kidsfreesouls.com

Blowing your trumpet? Yes, it do make sense sometimes. Why, you would say and here is my logic. When it is a 'Feel Good' Factor, we work hard to scale to success. Towards the path of achievement, in comes the hurdles but Kidsfreesouls has experienced ins and outs, ups and downs - a journey since years while I wrote 'Freesouls' in Sambhaav and still continue to write @ kidsfreesouls.com. While I searched my articles in Way Back Machine as I gave Internet lessons to my Kids Blogger 'Tulsa', here comes the form for all my readers to fill up and let me know where Kidsfreesouls stand! 90% new visits to Kidsfreesouls comes from Search Engines, next is Direct visits and rest is Referred visits.

50% elementary, middle- and high-school teachers and librarians
30% parents and grandparents of kids ages 3-17
20% kids ages 6-17

Did you Like Kidsfreesouls.com? Well, you know the answer. Stay tuned and help Kidsfreesouls be a better destination for Kids, Parents and Teachers on the Internet Super Highway:-) Please do fill up the form - Or fill up here too. Thanks for your support.


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

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Carry a Poem in your Pocket on 16th April 2011.

April and it's all about Poetry - National Poetry Month. Inaugurated by the Academy of American Poets in 1996, National Poetry Month is more 'Learning Poetry, Writing Poetry.' How to Write a Poetry session can be taken in classrooms and children can select their own topics on like, writing poetry with names of all animals, colors, places or maybe on what they'd like to be, etc. Know the words, build vocabulary and learn how to rhyme. Here's on Learning Poetry. They can also make a scrap book and write their fav poems or pin up poetry charts on soft board of their classroom/bedroom/study room.

This year, children at Swagat will have a Poem in your Pocket Day as 16th April 2011. Wondering what is this? Well, the idea is to write and carry a poetry in the pocket and share with friends, teachers, parents and anybody they would love to recite. Pin it up on paste board at home or at Library and even supportive to this, draw or dribble in their scrap books and have fun with rhyme and words. Sounds Interesting? Try it and it sure is fun and learning! Do share your poetry with us and I will love to put it on Your Poetry Page on Kidsfreesouls.

- ilaxi patel

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Colors of Love, colors of Life

Here comes Holi and its Colors of Love, colors of Life. It's time to paint the town red and spread the message of love - colors fill live with beauty and leave lasting impressions on minds. Your liking for different colors reveal your moods and personality. Check this out and Paint the town Red with Kidsfreesoul ideas - Happy Holi - Enjoy! Keep the Faith!

- ilaxi patel

Newspaper for Kids

Friday, February 25, 2011

Les Miserables - novel in Literature class

Born on February 26, Victor Hugo is one of most known author whose work 'Les Miserables' is used in Literature class. Victor Hugo said: ‘‘I condemn slavery, I banish poverty, I teach ignorance, I treat disease, I lighten the night, and I hate hatred. That is what I am, and that is why I have written Les Misérables.’’ The novel is a critical statement against human suffering, poverty, and ignorance. Its purpose is as much political as it is artistic. Les Miserables is the story of four people. Bishop Myriel, Jean Valjean, Famine, and Marius Pontmercy, who meet, part, then meet again during the most agitated decades of nineteenth-century France. It also tells the story of the 1832 revolution and describes the unpleasant side of Paris. The novel is in essence a plea for humane treatment of the poor and for equality among all citizens. A must read and if not, watch the movie and it really gives thorough understanding. Watch the movie trailor and find the profile of Victor Marie Hugo

ilaxi patel


Kids Newspaper

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Rhyme with a reason - Auden's Poetry

Schooling years are the best when children learn Literature. The Literature Projects aim for understanding English Literature and know the poets and authors. Children can be encouraged to draw the Character Sketch of the Literature Profile and learn the poems - the rhyming and rhyme schemes by providing them vocabulary of words that rhyme. Later on, teach them how to write poetry. Well, W.H. Auden was born on 20th February, an English born poet who was born in York, England, in 1907 (20th Feb). He made a remarkable contribution and best known for variety of his works W.H. Auden has written the best ballads, blues, limericks, sonnets, nonsense verse, oratorios, free verse, librettos (words) for operas and dramas. Find the Profile and use in Classroom February Projects.

Btw, Read my Book 'Guardian of Angels' and my poetry in poetry pages. Enjoy.


- ilaxi patel


Newspaper for Kids

Monday, February 14, 2011

Valentine - make happy, stay happy, stay cool.

February Project highlights were missed but I am sure, many of you have found the February Projects and Valentine pages on Kidsfreesouls - Nothing new, however, much to surf around and help children to understand what Valentine is all about. When I had sessions of Valentine Day Project in the classroom, kids love to draw the heart, exchange chocolates, find significance of flowers, bird myths, know gods and goddesses of love, love symbols, etc and even gather the Valentine messages. As parents, we do understand the feelings of our children and as they grow up, the butterflies bugging them to have the crush or the infatuation, often failing them to know what is love! Surfing through the web, we encounter friends, some cool, some familiar, some aloof, some near and some far. Message flows and soon everything freezes as time pass by - often its crush, infatuation or flirting. Well, its all to care for a smooth sailing relationship, soft heart but no broken hearts and make happy, stay happy, stay cool.

Happy Valentine's Day to all friends whom I met all through a phase of over 20 years. God bless.
- Valentine pages
- Valentine Projects for Kids
- February Calendar

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

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Rich flavours of Harmony? Republic Day

26th January - Republic Day. The rich tradition and culture of India reflects India’s true blends of rich flavours of harmony. The Independent India is a struggle for freedom. India became a Republic and the constitution came into force on January 26, 1950. As you can read further and find the India Page on Kidsfreesouls.com, here's the info on The Political Model of The Constitution :

The Political Model – The constitution pledge to solemnly resolve to constitute India into a Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic and secure to all citizens its rights:

The Political Model - The Constitution

The constitution :

We, the people of India, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic and to secure to all its citizens:

*Justice, social, economic and political

*Liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship

*Equality of status and of opportunity and to promote among them all

*Fraternity assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the nation

In our Constituent Assembly this twenty sixth day of November 1949, Do Hereby Adopt, Enact and give to ourselves this Constitution.

The constitution of India was originally written in English. A hindi translation was issued on January 24, 1950.

Btw, find the new Book of M J Akbar ' Tinderbox: The Past and Future of Pakistan' and stay tuned to the M J blog as I keep updating the same.
- ilaxi patel
Editor, http://www.kidsfreesouls.com/
Newspaper for Kids

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Stuttering Stan goes Digital

Stuttering Stan goes Digital - Artie Knapp's stories are amazing and if used in classrooms, can be inspiring and provide moral values to children. His Stuttering Stan story goes Digital and you can now read, view and listen to the story here as well as flip pages as you like. Log to Fairyland and enter Artie Knapp's Story corner on Kidsfreesouls to find Stuttering Stan. Let your children read along with you. Enjoy.

- Fairyland Stuttering Stan - Artie Knapp's corner

Tuesday, January 04, 2011

2011 Calendar - Grimms Fairy Tales

January is a Month of Universal Letter Writing Week, Writing Quotes and collecting Grimm's Fairy Tales. You can download the 2011 Calendar here and check in every month for events. Btw, 4th January is marked for Grimm's Fairy Tales and the two Grimm Brothers ( Jakob and Wilhelm Grimm) are remembered for pouring in dreams to the kids world. Grimm fairy tales include stories of Kings, magic, and talking animals. Even though the stories are sometimes scary, fairy tales pave in way for fear to cool down and often teach children moral lessons of human values and guiding light to right or wrong. Some of my favorite stories ever are:

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

Many more and I am sure, the list goes long for you too as we all cherish the yester year memories of being a child and reading the wonderful stories. Step into Kidsfreesouls Fairy Land and pop up some moral lessons as you read the stories that teach moral values. Click for Resources pages for more wonderful sites for children and find stories are National Geographic website too.

-2011 Calendar here

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

Saturday, January 01, 2011

1.1.11 - Happy New Year

1.1.11 - The first day of the year 2011 begins with four ones and November will have a unique 11.11.11 - Now, what I think is, why can't we have something unique that can adorn our lifestyle in this new year 2011. I asked for some ideas and my children promptly charted out their Resolutions for 2011. The list went long but they settled to follow the Resolutions that require most to change their Personality or call it - Identity. They chose 'smart working' lifestyle. They resolved to be patient, focused and aim for perfection. Above all, kids have chosen 2011 as the year for Reading and being focused. Kidsfreesouls convey a message to Encourage Reading and share book reviews. Even if you wish, Donate books to Swagat Children Library! Any children books, education or reference books are acceptable. Kids would love to read them and share their reading experiences. Since 1991, Kidsfreesouls has received books from well wishers and ghost donors too. Follow Swagat Page and stay tuned.

Kidsfreesouls wishes all a very Happy New Year 2011....Listen to the New Year Song and follow Resolutions page.

Swagat Children Library Kids read

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

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Build Arks for Future...Farewell 2010 - Welcome 2011

Farewell 2010 - Welcome 2011 - Ring out the old, ring in the new - Let this Year be a year of 'Silence'. It is said, Silence speaks a thousand words. Choose Life, choice is yours. Here is the time to make Resolutions - Make them right, make them firm. So, why not follow some of the Resolutions that may make a big difference. Why Silence, you can resolve to be Optimistic or spread peace. However, one thing is sure that when Resolutions are made to follow, they build a future. Build Arks of Future (In Guardian of Angels) . Let this future be yours to cherish all happiness round the year 24x7, 365 days. Enjoy, Peace be with you, me, us.

- Make Resolutions-Build Arks of Future Listen to the New Year Song Song words Robert Burns

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

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Jane Austen loved to ride on donkey carriage...Me too:-)

Jane Austen and it's 235th Birthday celebrations on 16th December. Did you know, Jane loved to ride to town on a donkey carriage? It was given to her by her brother Edward Knight in the 1800s. Jane lived in the beautiful village of Chawton and travelled into Alton (a nearby town) by donkey and carriage to go shopping and visit friends. Jane Austen is considered the best woman author of all time, but her witty, satiric novels about everyday people living ordinary lives were unappreciated until the twentieth century. Google celebrates Jane Austen Birthday with doodle of Sense and Sensibility. Sense and Sensibility, Austen's first book, was published October 31, 1881, twelve years after she first offered it to a publisher. Thomas Egerton agreed to publish it only if Austen agreed to pay the loss. However, the reviews were good and she made £140.

Find Jane Austen Profile in Literature.


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

Newspaper for Kids



Saturday, December 11, 2010

World of Literature

Poets, when they are born, the parents little do they know their future. The Childhood phase passes with all the thick and thin. As the child grows up learning to climb the first steps, the first few words spoken are joy to listen. Gradually, they build their vocabulary and turn to choose their chosen activity and follow their instincts. It is here that Parents need to Nurture a genius in the child. As we find, assignments given to kids to write a poetry, like learning music, it is not a cup of tea for every child. First, they need to learn how to read, speak and write. Follows the vocabulary and learning how to write a poetry or a story. Well, more on this on the blog posts and Poetry pages. For now, step into Literature World and find John Milton and Emily Dickinson's profiles, in case you've missed.

- ilaxi patel

Newspaper for Kids
Author of Guardian of Angels

Monday, November 22, 2010

Thank You for passing by Kidsfreesouls.com

Fourth Thursday in November is celebrated as ‘Thanksgiving Day’ People thank God for his blessings. People can ‘Thank’ friends, foes and anyone for the experiences, happiness and sunshine they bring into their lives

Thank You for passing by Kidsfreesouls.com

Wherever a beautiful
soul has been
there is a trail
of beautiful memories....

My readers Inspire me to keep going on Kidsfreesouls. I appreciate your Visits. Thanks:-)

Find 'How to teach children to write Thank You Notes. Btw, have you written your word? Follow this page.

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

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Hi - Hello - Bonjour - Namaste - Hola......

21st November is Hello Day. "HELLO" – When we say this five lettered word, it’s the sound that makes a big difference. Your voice is the inner reflexion of your soul. Every person has gifted with a voice which one can modulate with the speech styles. The voice is the power within you. It has powers that make a person fall in love with you. Close your eyes and listen to the smooth husky flowing voice of ‘George Michael’ or a close friend and you can feel the calm like a breath of fresh air! Listen to the musical sensation of Ricky Martin’s ‘Cup of Life’ and one can feel the rush of excitement in life. Listen to the bold voice of late PM Rajiv Gandhi and you are sure to feel the concerns finding yourself in the midst of a debate getting aggressive and confident. A voice can make one ready for a battle of words which can calm and seduce, provoke or silence, thrill and charge or can be electrifying. Voice has a special depth of thoughts and can influence your whole life as well as others. When you say ‘Hello’ the sound is like tinkling bell when you say it with softness and deep feeling but if you are harsh with your words, this means you are not towards the right track to road ahead of success. Words spoken with intelligence, words spoken with soft feelings, words spoken with understanding has an impact on the other with the voice powers. If you observe people talking, you can find the characteristics of the person which can master you with ‘mind reading’. Voice can get you hired or fired or promoted too. A voice can make friends or foes. A voice bring love back into your life and a voice can make your work loads lighter when you are on hieghts of your job and the work stress is higher. A Free Soul Friend Siddharth says " Voice is like a calm breeze which builds the faith and brings in the peace of mind." Vivek puts it this way that a voice should be pleasant that a person keeps talking to you but it also depends on one’s identity otherwise you are sure to be rejected with a bang of the receiver if you just call someone and say ‘Hi’. However this depends on the way you start your say, so he beams. Rohan too supports Vivek’s views on voice but Binal snaps back ‘Priya had a beautiful voice and talked for hours but she faced a rejection from me. What’s the point of hearing a beautiful voice when you can’t meet, says he!

Truly, Voice is a lovely gift that humans possess and as someone said "Speech is silvern, silence is gold" – Speech is Silvern but Silence speaks a thousand words and those thousand words when are accumulated comes out with an outburst, overflowing thoughts stored in the mind and than there is peace and calmness, isnt this true?

Btw, Power speak your way to Success. Find cool Kidsfreesouls tips here and stay tuned to Moms Zone - check in all my Book Articles as I update online.

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

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Tolerance - on the Back Seat???

16th November is International Tolerance Day. Gautam Buddha said “For hatred does not cease by hatred any time; hatred ceases by love” and when we see the world getting charged to fall apart, we find Victims of differences whose hearts are filled with hatred and their eyes flaring the fire to engulf and burn the enemy to ashes. Tolerance is on the back seat with the 21st century Gen X and as one notice, from kid to a youth, the art of ‘Let go’ finds no place to existence. Social, economic and political tensions have mounted up and its that most religions preach tolerance and tolerance is the necessary loom to knit society. Intolerance creates prejudices and bog down to fill the mind with remorse and malign thoughts where one can’t see the hay when the sun shines. Tolerance is openness to differences and that depends on self-esteem. If there is self-esteem, the threat of differences is gone and one can co-exist in harmony to others.

Read more in my article : Tolerance is on Back Seat??? Also Download Tolerance pdf and click to read 'Attitude - It makes a Big Difference apart from other related link articles.


Read my Articles on Parenting as I reframe most of the pages on Kidsfreesouls. Some of these articles appear in my Book 'Guardian of Angels: A practical guide to Joyful Parenting.'


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

Newspaper for Kids

Monday, October 25, 2010

Witch stories - Explore Halloween's Day Page on Kidsfreesouls.com

31st October is marked as Halloween's Day. The image of Witches roaming the skies with broomsticks and fear of ghosts and spirits haunt the children. However, Halloween is so much fun for children in UK, US and most parts of Northern Europe.

As you surf the page of Halloween (Mystifying myths), this mention of Witch reminds me of the story of Rupunzel. The Witch snatched away the first born child 'Rupunzel' and locked her in a big tower. Whenever the witch said, 'Rupunzel, Rupunzel, let your hair down', Rupunzel let her long golden hair down from the tower and the witch climbed up to talk to her. Later a Prince came and heard the witch. He immitated and Rupunzel let her hair down. Both of them meet and the witch did come to know about this. She brutally cut Rupunzel's hair and next time, when the Prince came, he found the witch with Rupunzel who threw him down and later, ran away with Rupunzel. Fortunately, the Prince finds her in the end and the witch dies.

I just helped two children read this story at the Sports Club Library. They had stacked too many books but when asked, both replied that they did not read any book! While encouraging them, I narrated the story showing pictures and yes, the kids read the book thoroughly after hearing the story.

Well, I guess, we need to encourage kids for reading and what other time could be - right now? Collect all books that have characters as 'witch' - Rupunzel, Black Beauty, Red Riding Hood and so on....Children love to read them and Halloween is the time to get them read books with witch characters, get halloween costumes and let it be a halloween party with red color treats and decorations.

Follow the Halloween's day Page and Encourage Reading Page on Kidsfreesouls.

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

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

e bike lanes - concerns for safety

Some time ago, I read about bikers who gather on Sundays and even joined the walkathon with bikes! Morning exercise on open wide roads is fine but for those who are already using bikes, ask them and we know 'Traffic is a big issue and biking on roads is dangerous' - Agree? I do. I use to go for my daily bike rides when I realized the cross roads always gave me panic with the rushing AMTS buses and fast pacing cars - people overtaking from wrong way and scooterists/motor cyclists driving like a rowing, swinging boat ! All pushed me, a cyclist away to get down many a times and save my soul. I ended up using my society lanes for biking every day but this too gave me panics as cars rushed in from all lanes with great speed! Now, where do I find the bike lanes?

Safety is indeed a concern. Special cycling lanes are no more like they use to be earlier as our roads are almost tailored for one in all vehicles. Drive as you like it. Here's a question that concerns safety - Some cities—New York, Los Angeles, Seattle—make available maps of bicycle routes. The inclusion of bike routes on Google Maps has also been a boon to cyclists across the country looking for the safest and most direct routes. I wonder, when we can find such Bicycle routes in Gujarat and India?

Here's this week's Environment Questions:

Are there efforts to increase bike lanes and paths around the nation? I’d like to be able to bike more instead of drive, but I’m concerned about safety. - John Shields, Minneapolis, MN

“Around the U.S. new bike lanes and paths are all the rage, helping cash-strapped cities simultaneously green operations and trim budgets (adding bike lanes is far less costly than building new roads). Some studies have even shown that bike trails help improve nearby home values.

¿Hay alguna manera de utilizar la energía en la caca de mis perros? Tengo tres perros y mucho estiércol y querría deshacerme de esto en una manera más “verde.” - Mary C., Wallace, ID
(Is there a way to utilize the energy in my dogs’ poop? I have three dogs and lots of poop and would like to dispose of it in a “greener” manner. - Mary C., Wallace, )

“Matthew Mazzotta, armado con una beca de $4.000 del Instituto de Tecnología de Massachusetts (MIT) creó el sistema ingenioso de convertidor de caca Park Spark que utiliza caca de perro para alimentar un farol a gas que ilumina un rincón del Pacific Street Dog Park en Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Read the Question and Answers - In English In Spanish

Sometimes, as teachers, we find it difficult to explain to children on why use less vehicles and go more cycling and walking. Their arguments on road safety and their first hand information on happennings on road even give us second thoughts, How can we promote cycling? Urban living has its own gains and pains - We can only teach our children to be safe and adopt transportation for them to go to school that checks their safety.

A new program on Road safety is lately being introduced in schools by the Traffic Police - A concern, the Taffic staff needs to understand the rules first, isn't it?

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