Freedom comes from within

Are we really Free? Economically, socially, Politically, Culturally? Well, the answer lies within your heart and the mind rules! It's all about 'perspectives' - If we ever see the brighter side of things, we see the sun and horizons but if we see the negatives, we sure apt to end up finding a lot of negatives and faults...that's all human minds.

Whatever grudges people have for India, I Love my India, I love my Gujarat and a day is not far what our scriptures and even nostradamus predicted - India will be a Super Power one day.

India, the Land of Legends (Free), proudly stand independent and as we commemorate the nation on its Anniversary of Independence/Republic Day, Kids Free Souls salutes all those immortal souls for their gallant undying contribution for the cause of the freedom.

- India Independence Day Mahatma Gandhi Rabindranath Tagore

- ilaxi patel
Editor, Kidsfreesouls.com
Kids Newspaper

Happy Friendship Day

Happy Friendship Day - (First Sunday in August)

Friendship is the intensity of the love that leaves behind trails of sweet memories to cherish the core of life giving a whole new meaning to it. The enigma of friendship strengthens with the bonds of relationships so unique which is unselfish, intimate, pure and beautiful. Learning to appreciate, speak out on issues, Listening, confide and sharing secrets, meeting of wavelengths and such deeper corners are focused for a caring friendly relationship with the people you love most.

Friendship Day - Joys of Friendship, Friendship Recipe, quotes

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

Harry Potter at Science City IMAX' 3D

Banned Books and a lot is said about Harry Potter! HP books promotes witch craft as mentioned them to be inappropriate for Catholic schools.

Here's the banned list:

Harry Potter Series:

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's stone

These books were to ban out of the school libraries, based on a claim they promote witchcraft. The themes of witchcraft and sorcery were inappropriate for a Catholic school. A county school board members said the books were good tools to encourage children to read and to spark creativity and imagination.

Well, with the new movie being screened at Science City in Ahmedabad with the 3D effect, the craze is on. More, experience the Harry Potter (Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows- Part 2) in IMAX 3D with Sweepstakes tickets to win - Enter for your chance to win posters from all six Harry Potter IMAX releases, a Snitch Clock, the Harry Potter Film Wizardry book from Harper Collins, a Harry Potter IMAX t-shirt, and IMAX tickets.

I think the movie sadly fails to impress! The final chapter begins as Harry, Ron, and Hermione continue their quest of finding and destroying the Dark Lord's three remaining Horcruxes, the magical items responsible for his immortality. But as the mystical Deathly Hallows are uncovered, and Voldemort finds out about their mission, the biggest battle begins and life as they know it will never be the same again.

You can read the synopsis here and maybe you like the thickening plot. Too much complicated and I think, far beyond to enjoy a theme like this by kids in India when most of the children hardly have formed the habit of reading and just hooked to watching hindi movies and cartoon channels. Maybe some exceptions, can't say but sure, they would be exceptional kids.

If you know kids who've watched the movie at Science City, do get them to write the reviews and submit to Kidsfreesouls.com -I shall be pleased to put it on site for other kids to read. Btw, find Harry Potter stamps online. Enjoy.

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

Newspaper for Kids

Fathering : Dads choosing to be hands-on, hearts-on fathers

"Be kind to thy father, for when thou were young,
Who loved thee so fondly as he?
He caught the first accents that fell from thy tongue,
And joined in thy innocent glee."
-- Margaret Courtney

Joys of Fathering see no boundaries as being a Father itself is an emotional feeling from the day the child is born - a feeling of love, compassion, possession. A feeling of nurturing and protection. And these days, we find many Dads choosing to be hands-on, hearts-on fathers than ever before - Children are blessed with the love and care of a Dad who guides them to climb the steps of their life slowly and steadily. Father's Day is about honoring father and celebrating fatherhood, parenting influence and love to care. A Father is 'Role Model' and here's 9 ways that may help Dads to stand by Moms in bringing Kids Gracefully and helps kids manage their workplace with a positive rewarding experience.

Here's quotes for you to add to your Father's Day Card and a print out to fill up 'Dad's Day Report Card' - He's sometimes more than a mother who unconditionally love you and as Robert Frost says, " “You don’t have to deserve your mother’s love. You have to deserve your father’s. He’s more particular.”

Happy Father's Day to all Dads on the web!

- Father's Day Dad's Report Card Dad Tips

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

Back to school - Follow Kidsfreesouls & Swagat Children Library to Create a Genius in your child

Back to School in June and it's time to Create a Genius in your Child!

Month of May had been too busy at Swagat Children Library with Reading sessions and Activities. Children enjoyed writing Book Reviews, Archie Day, Carry a Poetry in your Bag and got inspired with Color Paste session with exhibition of childrens' drawings and paintings. The last fun activity this month will be Coloring Competition and Poster making. Followed by this, a Debate Session and in comes suggestions for topics like, "Should kids carry fancy things to school?" and "What do you think should be the first month activity at school?"

Mid June, a session on Goal setting has been decided where Children will jot down their Goals for this academic year. Focused on overall development, kids at Swagat look forward for an informative, educative and fun filled activities round the year this year as Registrations Open for this June-May 2011 yearly members. To know more, follow the Swagat Page.

Well, here's June Projects for kids:

Back to School : Make Sticker Labels. Select Stickers from Kidsfreesouls and make Labels to stick to new book. Just click to Kidsfreesouls Student Assignment Google site, print the sheet, cut the labels and stick on the book. You can also find more on Stickers page here.

Get back to School pages here and Set up your Goals. Write down your Goals and what you would like to achieve by end of this academic year.

World Environment Day on 5th June. Make this an Environment Month. Make Environment Project - Write, draw and color environment pics, make poster with trees, etc. and write How can you help to Save environment. You may also plant trees, do gardening, collect leaves and add to Scrap book and write on them, make poems on trees and more.

You can explore Environment pages on Kidsfreesouls and make your own Earth Talk Q & A Project Book. Click right click and save the pictures and stick to your project and add the Q & A in short.

Finally, follow the simple rules of better Handwriting and tips on Homework Hassles or How to work Smart in classroom and at Home.

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

Newspaper for Kids

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

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

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

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

Editor, http://www.kidsfreesouls.com/ Newspaper for Kids Author of Guardian of Angels : A practical guide to Joyful Parenting

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

Editor, Kidsfreesouls.com

Newspaper for Kids

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

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

Kids Newspaper

Author of Guardian of Angels

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

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

Newspaper for Kids

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

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.

Happy Republic Day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Author of Guardian of Angels

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

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

Newspaper for Kids
Author of Guardian of Angels