Summer vacation Nursery - Crafts

-on 23 July
Thank you very much sweet Anoushka(Arpita's 6 yr old)!!!

Yesterday Krish was on a painting spree. For the first time he held his brush and I was surprised.. :-O and amzed at the interest and time he took to finish his painting. Both the pictures he finished at one go!!!

Today from morning he is sitting with his BOOK.. not having his breakfast and telling me "Mamma, dont disturb. Im not reading stories, I'm STUDYING!" Hope this phase continues for some more time.

He must have a lot more girl friends to make him do all these stuffs. :-P

The story after this building these blocks was - "The Three Little Pigs". The pig and the wolf was replaced by Polar Bear and Leopard!!!

Where is betu?

-on 19 July

Summer vacation spending at home with a child is not at all an easy task.
For a change we took to watching videos. He selected one from the box and it was our marriage CD!!!

Yesterday, for the first time Krish watched our marriage CD. He was happy to see mom. Though with all those traditional Bengali attire he found a little difficult to recognise both Papa & Mama. Then after a while, his disappointment clearly showed on his face. His only concern was, "Where is Betu ?!"

Ohh.. how could I convince him that he wasn't yet there with us when we got married.

After a lot of reconciliation, I showed him a CD of his first "eating" ceremony - "Annaprashan" and he was happy to see himself all dressed up as a cute Bengali boy in dhoti and kurta!!!

We had some good fun at his expense....

Rheinfall - 10 July 2010

http://www.about.ch/cantons/schaffhausen/rheinfall/index.html

How much fun we had!!! look at the excitement on his face! He just didnt want to come back home, as in most of his fun-trips.
http://www.rheinfall.ch/

We sailed in a boat to reach that top and then it was breath taking. The water droplets touching the face was so refreshing!!!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhine_Falls

This photo was captured from our boat. Most of the other pictures were hazy with water drops!!
At 4 yrs, Dev is travelling and experiencing the nature at its best. My effort is only to make him see the value of let the nature be natural and be environment friendly!!!

eating Fruits EMPTY stomach can CURE CANCER!!! Drinking Cold water after a meal = Cancer!

We already spoke about the importance of vegetables and fruits.
To emphasise this fact further, please read the link by clicking on the picture below and incorporate the habit of eating fruits and raw vegetables in the diet from a very early age.

Fruits

Sports Day!!

Nursery Portfolio Day..

Today we went for the Portfolio of Nursery!!
All new experience for me. During our times there was nothing like this, wasn't sure if De will be able to explain what all he did in the class all through the year. (for him Jan-June)..

Was surprised he could remember everything!
It was AMAZING to see that, he has actually DONE so much work... within 2 min he finished showing us everything he did.. and took me more than 15 min to recollect and write them down on notes lol...


Lots of effort has gone into all this... :-)
 
No wonder she used to lose patience so often... with more than 15 similar kids around..
 
The most interesting thing I noticed. - Story telling
There were few pictures on a A4 sheet and the children were asked to write a story. Basically they wrote a few alphabets and scribbled. Then teacher asked them what they wrote. Here's what he said -
 
"Dev is going to Dusseldorf to get chocolate in this space ship(he drew something in the shape of a rocket). Dev is driving the spaceship..."
 
ahh I again forgot whatelse was there..
shall add up when I recollect.. :)
 
1 more topic - building where they made their HOMES (cut out triangles, squares, rectangles etc)
Dev - playing, eating..
Mama - sitting
Papa - cooking - lol - grrrrr... this has never happened - Papa does "sitting" & Mama cooking..
 
Good Lord what picture he is giving the world about his family.. :-P
 

He loved showing different home:

Bear lives in the Cave, Birds live in the Nest, Spider live in the Web, Bee live in the Hive, Dev lives in Home.. :-)

He was very enthusiastic about showing the changing seasons.
There was painting of tress, with green leaves, yellow-orange leaves, no leaves
and also pictures of children out in the snow & green grass in all the season.

Revisiting - Home Remedies

Is this true ?

• Drinking fresh tomato juice can help regenerate damaged liver.
• Cabbages are richer in Vitamin C than oranges.
• Vitamin C in guava is five times more than in an orange.
• Many of us avoid eating nuts for fear of weight gain. Such fears are groundless. In fact, people who consume nuts at least twice in a week are much less likely to gain weight than those who almost never eat nuts.
• Application of ginger juice on the navel provides relief from loose motion.
• Pouring ritha (soapnut) water in the nostrils provides relief from jaundice.

Home Remedies

Teacher - student - school post - revisited...

After all the self-analysis and speaking repetitively both with my child and his school faculties (staff, teacher, principal & also parents from different countries); most of the feedback and response came as clear indication that there wasn't a problem for which I should be so concerned. My child is like any other boy of his age and growing up naturally with all his new pranks to keep me alert all the time.

Coming back to what I had written in my earlier posts:
http://devacharyamenon.blogspot.com/2010/06/teachers-pet-is-that-you.html
http://devacharyamenon.blogspot.com/2010/06/view-of-educationist-regarding-india.html

Teacher's pet - is that you ?
I understand that there are various methodology of educating children and it varies from teacher to teacher as well student to student. Not all students respond to instructions in similar way. It does not necessarily mean that do not follow them or they are not obedient, but given a child of 3-4 yrs. their area of interest and "mood" varies from time-to-time

As, far  my child is concerned, I know he does not like to be ordered or commanded to do anything. He gets more stubborn if he is not spoken poliently and if we show anger or raise our voice. Thats what concerned me in the earlier posts, he was getting more stubborn to prove he is a "bad boy".

It was a phase and has gone past now. As per his teacher, sometimes students react very positively when you praise others infront of him and hence try to improve. Ignoring a child and giving "stickers/gifts" as a token of appreciation to them, helps him to do the activities he otherwise is not willing to do. This also increases the competitive spirit. Hence, all these extra efforts were to make Dev sit down to writting activity. Thats the thing he does not like to do sitting at a place.

Regarding the colour of skin:
This kind of discussion in there amongst the students in all the class. A parent of Grade 2 once told me, "Teachers do not speak about this. It's the student who discuss. The Indian girl wants to be reborn as a girl with blond hair and white skin. One of her other friend wants a dusky skin with black hair. These are just their fantasy."

After hearing this I left the dicussion there. And thought it needs some more time for me to conclude anything. Moreover, he will be going to a new class from August. A new teacher and new class with new things to learn might just erase a few thoughts from his mind.

View of an educationist regarding Indian Education System:
I agree to most of the things told here. It's good or bad cannot be really judged if you do not consider India as a whole. The system which we follow in India is best suited for the given time, and considering the rising population.

Every statistic has told us that by 2012 India will be the youngest nation. Hence, the students fighting for a seat in a prestigious college for any professional degree will be enormous compared to our generation.
Given this situation, the child has to know to fight from a very young age if he has to succeed in his profession or career. Memorising and Pushing nature is a product of this, which in my opinion is nothing to be ashamed about.

Inspite of so many regional languages, many of us choose to visit a sschool with English as a first language to stay at apar with the world. Hence any Indian kid would be speaking atleast two languages from a very early age, say 2-3 yrs. When I learnt my "German" language at college, primarily I used to "think" in English and translate in "German". This time-span decreased as we practiced speaking more often. So, the "thinking-time" cannot be contributed to being a "confused" person.
It's by nature that we tend to think in our mother tongue. Right now, when Im typing these words Im not thinking in Bengali but in English. Same goes for the students. considering how fast a child picks up new things they don't take much time speaking any new language either.  Moreover like in my family, we speak mainly "Hindi" and "English". Both mine and my husband's mother tongue is different (Bengali and Malayalam & Tamil). My child is more comfortable speaking in English right now because of his environment and the time he spends at school. That does not mean he is/will grow up to be a confussed "individual". Yes, while speaking in Bengali he uses many English words now, which even I do while speaking Hindi/Bengali, inspite of knowing the equivalent words.


Because, of the grinding we go through in the initial years, a student is able to cope up with the challenges doing further studies anywhere across the globe. We are also doing excellent at professional fields where ever we are. The methodology which we follow in India can't be followed in other countries. And the International Schools in India though claim that they are using different methods, parents still feel the need to educated their child with the board in Indian system. Well, there are exceptions, where one has the luxury to shift base to other countries for child education.

With respect to a boy's and a girl's inclination to study, well its a known fact that "girls mature at a younger age than a boy". At school or home and amongst friends or siblings its natural to see such differences in liking of activities. Yet in a classroom of boys and girls all of them are of equal agegroup +/- 6 months and coping up well.

So, I shall like to see my child go to the next class. He might not be perfect with respect to the writting and organising skills compared to a girl/student of his class. But I shall give him a fair chance to be able to take responsibilities for his own development. If this means I'm a "pushy" parent like a typical Indian, then I'm so.

...accept me as I am...

It was bed-time again and as usual Krish selected his story and asked me to read this one. At the end he said, "..accept as it was" - meaning.. Then followed a few exchange of words and he kissed me, "Goodnight Ma" with a smile on his face.
His smile seemed to say a lot more than his words. Or am I imagining too much !!! Surely he is growing up fast & maturing too !

The story:

"Once there was a crow who was always brooding about his colour. He thought sadly, "I am so black and ugly. If only I was colourful as other birds!"

One day as the crow sat on a tree, a group of peacocks strutted by. They were walking with their feathers fanned out. The crow felt sad again, when he saw the peacocks' feathers. When the peacocks left, the crow found some of their feathers scattered on the ground. He picked them up and went to his friend the monkey. With his help, the crow tucked the feathers on his body. Then he went to the peacocks and said, "Let me join you for now I am as beautiful as you are."

But the peacocks grew angry and pecked the crow away from there. The crow flew back to his own friends. But the crows said, "Go away from here. you cannt live with us because you don't feel proud to be what you are."

So the poor crow was abandoned by his own fellows and had to lead a lonely life. He learnt to accept himself as he was.

View of an educationist regarding Indian education system

I'm not sure if I'm fighting to see Indian students be treated like any other student in a foreign land or all the thoughts are to be shrugged off without much ado. I'm so full of doubts and concerned and petrified all at the same time. I hope its not true in US or elsewhere or even with all students.

Towards this attempt, yet again I met the principal of the school today and heard the same words again. I had spoken to the manager of his kindergarten earlier last year, the principal,  consultant of the schools both in Germany and Switzerland in the past 1 year.

The views are not positive & they are so prejudiced. The generalisation about us is my concern and I'm completely aghast now and wondering how so many Indian children who have to come back to India and continue their studies, cope up with this attitude their teachers and friends have towards them.

This is what they say about Indian education system and how Indians react to their children:

• Indian education system just believes in "memorising" without giving a thought to "application"...
• Indian children speak more than one language & hence they are more "confused"...
• Indian parents forever "push" their children to "learn" and not "study"..
• Indian children find it difficult to speak "English" as the parents speak "local Indian" language...
• Becuase of the education system, the researches in India don't get an opportunity to work in India & hence are moving abroad.

(there were many more such statements - I shall include when Im able to recollect)
For a mother of boy child:
The below comparision b/w boy and girl came about because of the recent "development" in my child's academic interests. Though it was also mentioned, "there are exceptions and gifted kids too".

• From ancient times, we know men hae a natural instinct to be hunters, providers and protect their family. Schools were made to "tame" them.
• Girls are naturally drawn towards activites as they are "social".
• Boys need the company of girls to learn social skills.
• Girls are atleast 2-3 yrs ahead in "brain spurts" than boys.
• Boy have their maximum growth when they are at Grade 10th, so they excell better in Maths & Science..
• If boys are pushed for their age to be in the same class as girls, it would do them "irreversible damage" in their "self-esteem" when they are not able to cope up.
• boys are made of 90% male genes and 10% female genes (ie from the parent) (a little different is also possible)
• boys become "responsible" wrt academics only after the age of 5-6 yrs.

Now, as per the arguments above, a 6 yr old girl should be studying with a 8-9 yr old boy in grade 1 !!! couldn't get more biased than this, could it ???

What is your take on these arguments?

I'm drafting my views on this, till I read yours.

First excursion - field trip of Nursery - exploring "Transport"

Yesterday, 9th June 2010 , Nursery went for a field-trip to Zurich city by the lake.

Topic: How we organise ourselves - Transport


Concepts:
Form, function connection
Focus:
Mathematics, science
Idea:
People use many different types of transport to mover from one place to another
Inquiry:
• Types of transport we use
• What determines our choice of transportation

• How each type of transport works

It was lot of fun.

Just be a child with a child

I did realise & act finally...


After the clumpsy last week which started with a few horrifying moments from Krish's sudden outburst... the weekend brought with it such a beautiful reason to smile... This time around I feel much more stronger and when it comes to one's child I guess all we moms act this way...

I had shared my concerns and got lots of support and strength from all my readers and friends... So, now I share my joy - another attempt to "Spread the SMILE"... :-)

Last Saturday we had a quicky trip to Mt. Titlis, did snow-tube rides/slides and sledging, cable cars and chair cars were awesome... still living the wonderful Titlis experience... Krish, eats an icecream and points the top of it says Titlis...

 Sunday, Krish helped me completely at kitchen. He cut our salad for the day & helped me peel the onion, potatoes. I made "Meen Puli"(fish curry Kerala style) & for the first time my husband felt that was so true to taste..


I kept him so engaged that not a moment he mentioned anything about school... usually he misses his teacher and friends....


In the evening - for the first time - we took his cycle out on the roads - and he just could paddle them so comfortably - this was his first ever paddling experience - earleir it was all inside the house which obviously he couldn't...


Then it started raining and he was all wet... he thought I would scold him as his dad was already, but was surprised to see me also join in getting wet.. we both loved it !


Glad I could keep away from being a "strict" horrible mom, as most of the times...


He is so happy!
I'm so happy to see the happy faces around...
Couldn't have asked for more... Thank God for everything !


The weekend finished with Rajneeti, ohh no not with him.. only us ;-) - not a bad movie at all... thought second half looked a bit goofed up with weird dialogues not from this era...

Tip to a happy family:

Happy mom,

Happy relationship - husband & wife

Happy child

Yes, in that priority, if you are happy and make efforts to do things that make you happy everything else falls in place....

First cycle ride

on Sunday 6th June, we went out with our cycle for the first time on the roads.
Sounds very late considering the age, but given the climate here its not possible to learn to ride in all the time of the year!
Inspite of having a cycle last year, we were not motivated enough to take it outside and try it out. We felt it was taller that my child. but, on Sunday when we were out, and asked him to try out, he just could paddle it after 1-2 tries. Now its 3 days, and he already balances his handles.

Amazing!

Better late than never.

Teacher's pet - is that you ?

What if you are NOT the teacher's pet?
Have you been ever?
Did it anyway affect shape your personality?

"Chubby Cheeks, dimple chin
Rosy lips, teeth within
Curly hair very fair Eyes are blue, lovely too
Teacher’s pet, “is that you”
Yes, yes, yes.."

This raises a question which I've experienced in my school days and keep haunting me still - NOT being the pet of  your teacher!

2nd June 2010:
Im ANGRY, DISAPPOINTED, SAD, SURPRISED with the level of school staffs where Krish is visting... I do not know how to react to such things.


In past days, few incidents happened and he was crying the whole night in his sleep saying "Im NOT a bad boy"

Im feeling so sorry for my baby.. Lately I had been too strict with him with regards to writting and "sitting" activities... thinking his school is too liberal regarding the same..

And now I realised his teacher is behaving not too good.. infact ignoring him many a times...

really dont know how to calm him down...

Not every child is born an EINSTEIN.. my son may not be one of those boys who listens to every word commaned.. I know he doesnt like too many sitting activity... and because the session is coming to an end and she has to give reports she is making them do all these activities to submit... Their timing is 9-3:15 PM in Nursery.. he gets completely exhausted and then....

He came home completely distressed saying, "Melissa is not my friend, Raphael is not my friend.. they dont play with me... Teacher says I'm a BAD boy and they dont play with me..."

When I asked "why she said so?" - he said, "I didn't cut the TRUCK" - a paper cutting activity.. And then "why did u not cut?" - reply, "teacher said I'm BAD"

He feels, 'coz you said Im a bad boy - I will behave like a bad boy..

The same activity - cutting truck - he sat quietly and finsihed at home later...


3rd June 2010
"Papa, my skin is brown", teacher said
Is there any need for a nursery student to know that he is browned skin, his friend is white or black or yellow ???

They are not doing civilisation or countries or culture, then what makes them discuss such stuff in school - amazes me. My child knows he is an Indian and someone else is an Italian.. but skin colour.

I had heard till now that few are rasial. Could this be an instance to prove the same? Im feeling so scared and vulnarable for my child. Not sure if I should pack my bags and go home now.

Won't this affect him psychologically. Knowing he gets hurt and remembers things that has happened when he was 1 year old,  Im more concerned now.

This is a trait I was rather pleasantly surprised to observe

From a very early age, Dev enjoyed the company of family and friends.
Infact he loves to be surrounded by people and thats his fun-time.
He would sometimes run to a stranger and hand her over a flower to say "Hello !".
When I chide him to be cautious, he would smile and say, "She is MY Oma" - meaning grandmother in German.
Thats one of his interest areas (I think), he likes to travel to new places where he can interact with people!
He collects new shapes of leaves and flowers to gift them to those old ladies and enjoy seeing smiles on their faces. These strangers are mostly elderly people or small babies.
In his kindergarten(3 yrs), once the manager told us that, he loves visiting old age homes and sing for them! He has a natural liking to "serve", either by help feeding babies in his kindergarten or holding the hand of an old lady crossing the road, that was few days back here(in Switzerland). I'm not sure though if he understands what "serve" means, but the joy I see on his face after the act is so pleasurable!

A New found Passion!!!

Recent pleasant changes in Krish. Im loving this.

He wakes up in the morning walks to HIS plants and kisses "Good Morning !"
Every night before going to bed kisses "Good Night !" None of us can touch them, he would give them bath, and water them when thirsty!!

Teachers pet is that you?

What if you are NOT the teacher's pet?
Have you been ever?
Did it anyway affect shape your personality?

"Chubby Cheeks, dimple chin
Rosy lips, teeth within
Curly hair very fair Eyes are blue, lovely too
Teacher’s pet, “is that you”
Yes, yes, yes.."

In this case, apart from sounding racial it raises a question which I've experienced in my school days and keep haunting me still - NOT being the pet of  your teacher!

Think it over, and I shall come back with my version of story.

Children helping at home

written in May 2009
Ever given this a thought - at what age would you like your child to help you with household work, if at all you want...

This is based on a few observations I recently had in my child(3 yr old) at kindergarten...
They are expected to lay the table, eat on their own, pick up the dishes and keep it at a place and then also clean the table. Kids are very enthusiastic in doing all these work and they take turns in doing so.
Similarly they put on their jackets and zip their jacket, wear the socks and shoes... etc..

Most of the family I know here(in Germany), make it a practise from an early age to make the child do his own jobs even at home.

My main concern Im touching here is helping in kitchen. Just now, I saw a German program where children were preparing dishes from salad, soup, main course dishes chopping kneading frying and all. The age group is from 8-12 yrs. I have never given a knife in Krish's hand, but I know a German 4 yr old girl, cuts apples at her home, ofcourse under the supervision of her father. It was a group effort by her, her elder bro(6 yrs) and younger bro(3 yr) and they were making sandwiches for Sunday breakfast. Its like a fun! Every Sunday breakfast is prepared my the children and they decide the menu. I found it really amazing - the way they participate in helping mom at home.

I was wondering whether, we Indian moms would ever allow our child to enter the kitchen, and give excuse that they get distracted form their studeis etc.
I would not agree to do so. Atleast I know a few handful in my own family. Thats the argument I've heard from not one but many moms who have grown up children of 8-10yrs. They dont even know how to get their galss of drinking water as their bottle is always kept in their room. Strange!

Krish is also 3 yr old and has started chopping salad only Gurken that too I can't move beyond two pieces. I dont have the courage to see himhold the knife yet. Krish is visting his kindergarten just 2 mnths now. I really feel very proud at times to notice when he simles after putting his socks right and the shoes on the correct foot (though many a times he goes wrong ). He has learned to put the zip of his jacket too.

We used our with fingers to eat before he started visiting kindergarten. Now all of us eat with fork and knife. He insists we do so. Infact I was never ccomfortable eating without a spoon earlier.

These are small changes but very positive. He has started filling his own glass of water and make his sandwiches. While cooking he puts the chopped veggied in the pan. Everything when I'm around.

My case was a lot different. Many of my friends used to feel "J" that Im not asked to help Ma in kitchen. Only after I finished my schooling I used to volunteer for a special Sunday lunch reading some Recepie from a book, and all the ingredients kept ready by my mom. I know, it sounds very pampered. I was a real pampered child only in this regard. I hope Krish doesnt read this anytime soon.


What do you think of brothers ordering their sisters for glass of water?


Do we still have such Moms around(in family or friends or neighbours) who think any work at home should be done only by daughters and daughters MUST know every househould work. Ofcourse cooking priority and then from shoe polish to ironing to everything. ???
Crazy but true, there are so many of them!

Being a mother of a boy child. I would take pride in saying my son can manage all his job including preparing his own lunch & dinner whenever this time comes.
I shall visit this post and update whenever the time comes.
 
Check this out on what children can do. Dont stop them and encourage them to move forward leaving your fear behind. 
http://www.ted.com/talks/kiran_bir_sethi_teaches_kids_to_take_charge.html

Social etiquettes in child

written on Jan 31 '10



I believe that a child learns best & most from what they see their parents do...
 If you do not want your child to do certain things, first reflect if you have ever done the same infront of him/her or he/she has picked up from elsewhere..

Im unable to socialise much given my situation right now, and for the same reason I feel Krish is lacking few social behaviourial skills when we visit someone.

Recently at a friends place Krish walked into the bedroom - the door was wide open and the way through the drawing room where we were sitting...


I didnt find a reason to chide him, as there were no signs for him to stop! I usually would close the door of the rooms when a child is expected at home ...

But I could clearly see the unpleasant look in the face of the host...

If your child did the same in someones house / some child did it in your house, how would you react?

This comes to me query - what is the "expected" & "accepted" behaviour of a child.

Assuming, it's acceptable for kids to explore in a space...

its was ok for Krish to have walked into the room considering the age(he was 3+ yrs). At 5 yrs probably people would say, what an ill-manered child ...

He never enters the room if its bolted or shut. In that house the drawing room led to the bed-room & all other rooms. That was our first visit. Im not sure if I would like to vist there again, after the reaction I saw there. 
See what has motherhood done to me, I can't enjoy somewhere the child is not accepted well!

I can't remember having a peaceful dinner/lunch with Krish around in any restaurant. Its been 4 yrs now.. hah........

Moreover, Ive not met many people who are very child friendly. They frown and restaurants simply ask you to leave if the child moves around. People go out to eat to have a "quiet" time, they say - & I too agree.

Infact if you hear some "sound" anywhere you will know they are INDIANS or soem bunch of young kids and the eyebrows raising all around. They find it ill-manered to raise decibles and talk or even laugh!

We have infact started packing our food nowadays when Im not cooking....

In another instance, I saw a child of 4yrs sitting at a place for more than 2 hrs using the fork-kinfe to eat spaghetti all by himself - too good to be true, I was wonderign. The mother of the child was proudly moving around saying my child is the most well-behaved around. He never gave me any trouble blah blah and the conversation changed to "praise my child" pheww.... Most kids here are expected to behave this way and they do behave themselves whether they like it or not.


I actually found it extremely "odd" or not true to nature. There were children of his age who were playing in the house with toys and his mom giving "looks" at my child seeing him not sitting at a place, and frowning and then pitying that I'm having a tough time managing him.

She mentioned - "Stop giving him sugar, biscuits, snack etc etc etc...." the list was endless!


I didn't find it strange for a child to get attracted to new toys. Moving around the play area, and playing!
So, now comes my worry, if its perfectly normal for your child to pick up his toys and play what reason shall I give my child from doing so, other than that not being his toy. Unfair!! tough! In another year he will step into 5th year and I'm trying to be more strict and find it so tough.

Now, he refuses to even greet a person if I ask him to: saying "hello", "good morning" "namaste" - no I dont want to - is the response.
 
I can't be such a horror to my child !!! 

Multi-lingual Environment

Dev is one of those children whose mother always keeps complaining about his "hyper-active" nature. At his kindergarten we got the same feedback. Infact, till recently his teacher in school was doubtful if she would allow him to go to his next class! She said, he learns, he is intelligent, but he doesn’t have patience to sit and WRITE! Then she went on to add. He is very expressive. In his class there are children from various nationalities - Italian, Spanish, German, English, American, Scottish, Turkish, Indian and all these children didnt speak much amongst themselves till Dev joined them this January. He could not only converse in English but interact with everyone in his class and seniors with equal ease and that she found very commendable in a child of 3 yrs. Here, I’m here to present to you, my son, Dev Acharya Menon who completed his 4th yr this March.

In this cross-cultural and multi-lingual environment, the child is exposed to more than one language especially in a country like India.


In India, apart from the mother-tongue, a child has to learn English, as the medium of studies and then a second language is introduced as early as 6-7 yrs, be it Hindi or the language he already speaks. The concern of "teaching" a language is very prevalent in the mind of parents if they do not speak much English or Hindi at home.


My writting is based on my experience with my child just to assure you that its easier for a child to communicate than you can even imagine.


It might be hard to believe that a 4 yr old can understand partially/completely English, German, Bengali, Hindi, Malayalam... so Ive attached a few vedios which randomly recorded at different ages.


Dont worry too much about "teaching" a language to your child. They pick up things so fast that you would start wondering, where & how they learnt this! Main point is, to learn any language, first a child should be able to express in his MOTHER TONGUE - the first language or the language he speaks most with his parents.

In my case I spoke Bengali with my child from the very beginning. My husband speaks Malayalam and Tamil, but he chose not to use either with the child in an attempt not to confuse him too much with different languages. The languages spoken at home was mainly English, Bengali and Hindi amongst ourselves. Krish was exposed to all the 3 from the first day. While conversing with my in-laws my husband still maintains Malayalam. So, he knows thats a different language and now at 4 yrs he is inquisitive about this language too.

At 2 yrs he was trying to tell this story in Hindi with the actions of a lion pouncing on everything around, till we got the camera to record!
Krish is narrating a story in Hindi

Krish spoke only Bengali initially, say upto 2 years with a very little English. Then when we shifted to Germany, as I knew he would visit kindergarten at 3 yrs, I started to speak to him in English, little did I realise that his kindergarten would use German as their first language. He didnt want to go there and would cry his heart out, as he had never heard the language before. He couldnt converse with them but then within 3 months or so he would speak German with me at home and his Papa would come pleading to speak in English. It was extremely humorous watching father and son speaking to each other and then me being interpreter most times. I had my share of pleasure of acting pricey at time.


Krish reciting Bengali poem - Kathberali at 3 yrs.


At 3yrs 9 mnths he started with his International School with English as first language. I was amazed at the ease he shifted from German to English. Now at 4 yrs he doesnt use much of German, sadly neither Bengali or Hindi, but he speaks beautiful English replicating the accent and style of his Scotish teacher, Anna.

Intially he used to mix up English and German, though he knows they are different when he cant remember a word in either or even slip of tongue.


Now he is amused at the way his father seaks to his Ammuma & Appupa and wants to be a part in that. He has started singing in Malayalam and says a few words too.Infact, he speaks both Hindi & Malayalam in Bengali.
Any idea how he manages?


I shall record and post that.... its hillarious..
 
Krish singing Malayalam lullaby for Appupa-Ammuma at 3 yrs. (composed by his father)


Just discovered he is made a close friend at school. She is an Italian girl, Melissa. Not sure if he has picked up a few Italian words.
I would love to see him do that :-)

Mother's Day!

For my Mom:
May peace fill all the empty spaces around you.. may happiness answer all your wishes!" Happy Mother's Day !

I wish I could tell you Ma,
...how much you mean to me... but there are no words to say...
...how much I admire you...
...how much I appreciate you...
...how much I thank you...
Love you Ma!
 
My son:
On Friday at school, they made a card written "Mom" on it, and paper flowers. Today we had a Schwazwalder Torte... Amazing!!! Did he realise why he did that?
never mind, I njoyed it :-)

Home Remedies - From the Kitchen shelf.

Whatever problem your child is facing, the best option is to consult his/her pediatrician or atleast a call. The suggestions mentioned below is based on my experience and the advice carried from generations of grandmother and my friends.


Repeated vomitting or Diarrhea/Diarrhoea:

BRAT Diet:
B - bread (white,not brown), bananas- raw and ripe
R - Rice (phen, kanji, pori, avil, khoi, rice cakes, Rice Krispies cereal, Horchata (Mexican rice drink), Suero (Puerto Rican rice drink, Rice Dream packaged milk)
A - Applesauce (mash boiled apple), apple juice- in limited quantities
T - Tea , Toast


Other than above - Jelly Pudding (Jello), Marie biscuit, noodles - only boiled with little olive oil or little butter, Fruit Loops cereal, light fish curry + rice, Potato chips(home made) , mung dal khichri- punjabi style), Aloo boiled, raw banana mashed, chicken soup (clear- no vegetables), Chicken noodle soup, chicken rice soup


Preferably NO Milk or if u really want to - Soy milk or Lactose Free milk- like Lactaid.


After Diarrhoea subsides curd rice can be given, or buttermilk.



For Stomach Ache
- For infants: Add small amount of Asafoetida powder to half spoon warm water. Rub it on the naval regions.
- Warm castor oil and rub it around naval.


 For Cold
- Boil big (black) Cardamom(seeds powdered) with Milk and give to your baby to drink.
- Heat Mustard oil in pan with few Ajwain / kala jeera and garlic till they turn black -> strain this oil and apply it every night on baby's feet, palm and back of ears.
- Give Honey with Ginger juice (1+ yrs)
- Add Turmeric powder with baby's milk. Boil it and make your baby drink it with a spoon of honey.
- A herb called "Doddapathre" or "karpuravalli"...this works wonders.
You can wash the leaves in slightly warm drinking water, heat the leaves on the tava till u feel it is really hot(this kills bacteria). Now squeeze the juice, mix few drops of honey and administer.
Alternatively, heat the leaves on the tawa and give hot-formentation(check on ur skin b4 u place on baby). Include areas such as head, forehead, bridge of the nose, chest and back. Gives fantastic relief.
In case if you want 2 know the name of the leaf in English here's the link:
Panikoorka : Naturemagics Home 
Ginger and Mango 
Ayurvedic Tips 
HerbNews.org



For Loose Stools
- Steam a raw Banana with a pinch of salt and feed him.
- Nutmeg powder (1/8 of a nutmeg) in honey can stop loose motions.
But, meically if there is any foreign object in the body which causes loose motion one shud let it go & not worry for 4-5 times of loose stool. After that if it's continuing without control you can try the options mentioned.
-  also juice of vilvam leaves can help in loose motions.


Constipation problem
- Raisins, Prunes, Boiled Palak,Plantains and Musambi juice


Body Heat (not same as fever)
- good oil massage and bath preferably coconut oil
- less spicy food
- include more of fresh juices and veg salads ..
- Buttermilk and not curd. NO CURD after sunset.
- Raw Mango juice is good.
- Pudina is very good for stomach too.
- Head bath is important.

Met a Wiki-peronality!!!

Recently we had a guest visting us for dinner.
He is a very well-known "Wiki" personality. I shall address him as Dr. This article is not about him, but the way my son interacted with him.

I was in AWE when I met him and just couldnt be "myself" those few hrs. unlike my son... He was all over him asking him the weirdest questions and he calmly answered the child and played with him. His manners and decency showed how down-to-earth he was inspite of his stature. He actually walked up to the kitchen and asked me to join him for a drink, not being bothered about cooking. I was stunned! Never expected a person dealing with such high-profile leaders would be so cordial and straightforward & simple in style.

So here goes my 3 yr old almost as soon as he enters:

Krish - Hey! you r a old man !
Dr. - NO Im a young boy!!
Krish - NO NO, Im a boy, YOU ARE OLD!!!
(ohh God! I didnt know where to look)
Dr. hands him over a chocolate box and then the topic changes.

Krish - Hey! whats your name?
Dr. - Im Dadu. Whats yours ?
Krish - Im Dev Acharya Menon!
Dr. - ohh.. you are the best boy in the town...
Krish - I KNOW

After some funtime.

Krish - Dadu where is your old MOTHER?

Both my husband and Dr. didnt understand this part and was blank. Not knowing what to answer, I pitched in to explain him. Krish is missing his grandparents big time. He knew that a "Dadu"(grandpa) will be with "Dida"(grandma).
Mamma is everyone's "Mother". The concept of husband-wife was still not familiar. So, what he means is - Dadu, where is Dida(grand-ma) ?

I just hope we didnt offend him(Dr.) and Krish's behaviour can be considered acceptable at his age and Dr. would forget and forgive those errors.

PS: incase you are reading this Dr.
Thanks for your visit and it was a pleasant and charming change for us, esp my little one.

Next day was Holi. Krish specially made a card with his handprints for Dadu. Still he is speaking about him and the chocolates. We will cherish this memory forever.

Don't like Veggies & Fruits

Aahhh... Ive heard this so often... Have you ever thought what the reason could be?
Here are few I tought off and you could ad on your list to this. Children love whats natural and not tampered with our spices.
Like:
- Eat rainbow colour vegetables.
- Cooking style should retain the colour and flavour of the vegetables used.
- Show the actual vegetables, cut them, go infront of the mirror and show the similarity with the body parts.
- Explain how beneficial each one them are.
- Check out the examples below.


A sliced Carrot looks like the human eye.
The pupil, iris and radiating lines look just like the human eye...
And YES, carrots greatly enhance blood flow to and function of the eyes.

A Tomato has four chambers and is red.
The heart has four chambers and is red.
Tomatoes are loaded with lycopine and are indeed pure "heart and blood" food.

Celery, Bok Choy, Rhubarb and many more look just like bones. These foods specifically target bone strength.
Bones are 23% sodium and these foods are 23% sodium.
If you don't have enough sodium in your diet, the body pulls it from the bones, thus making them weak.
These foods replenish the skeletal needs of the body.
Beans actually heal and help maintain kidney function and yes, they look exactly like the human kidneys.

Sweet Potatoes look like the pancreas and actually balance the glycemic index of diabetics.

Oranges, Grapefruits, and other Citrus fruits look just like the mammary glands of the female and actually assist the health of the breasts and the movement of lymph in and out of the breasts.



A Walnut looks like a little brain, a left and right hemisphere, upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums.
Even the wrinkles or folds on the nut are just like the neo-cortex. Walnuts help develop more than three dozen neuron-transmitters for brain function.

Grapes hang in a cluster that has the shape of the heart.
Each grape looks like a blood cell and grapes are also profound "heart and blood" vitalizing food.


Olives assist the health and function of the ovaries.



Figs are full of seeds and hang in twos when they grow.
Figs increase the mobility of male sperm and increase
the numbers of Sperm as well to overcome male sterility.

Onions look like the body's cells. Onions help clear waste materials from all of the body cells. They even produce tears which wash the epithelial layers of the eyes.
A working companion, Garlic, also helps eliminate waste materials and dangerous free radicals from the body.

Avocadoes, Eggplant and Pears target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female - they look just like these organs.
When a woman eats one avocado a week, it balances hormones, sheds unwanted birth weight, and prevents cervical cancers.
And how profound is this? - It takes exactly nine months to grow an avocado from blossom to ripened fruit. There are over 14,000 photolytic chemical constituents of nutrition in each one of these foods.