SELF ESTEEM

What is self esteem ? Well it is the way  we feel and think about ourselves. It is a feel good factor and it helps shape up our lives at all stages.

I read a lovely poem which says very simply what we should make kids feel.

Be happy with what they have and say -” I am proud to be me.”

I Am Special

Hands to help with,eyes to see,

I’m so happy with all of me.

Ears to hear with ,and feet so free,

I’m so happy with all of me.

Nose to smell with,legs to climb a tree,

I’m so happy with all of me.

I am growing big as you can see,

I’m very happy with all of me.

( A.C. Educational Research Team…….Frank Bros.&Co. )boygirl

Kids go through different stages as they grow and their self esteem has phases of ups and downs.

Toddlers :- They like to explore and feel . They tend to show self -confidence.We need to let them be , while having a watchful eye just to make sure all is well. Let them feel and learn , making sure the environment is child friendly.Avoid the word DON’T as far as possible.We may break their confidence.

toddler         toddler1

todder3  toddler2

 

School Age Children :- School kids are learning to do things on their own.They may sometimes become unsure ,we need to encourage them to keep trying and help their self esteem to grow. Push gently and help them to achieve the task .Be a patient guide.

kids unsure      kids unsure3

As kids grow they feel the challenge of independence.Their look matters to them and peer acceptance becomes important. A guiding gentle hand will always help.Children should always feel secure and wanted.

High self esteem :-The child usually feel –

secure, loved ,willing to try new things and feels capable and responsible.

hish esteem

 

Low Self Esteem :- The child usually feels –

Helpless, unloved and insecure,afraid to try new things and fears others.sometimes he /she is a loner.

low         low1

 

low2 kids unsure

kids unsure3

 

What can we as parents ,teachers and guides do to help our children have a high self esteem :-

1. Love is the biggest thing to shower on kids. Show them you are happy and proud of them for all they do – even if they are not the best.- We should not assume they know that we love them.We should show our love every day, hug them make them feel accepted and secure , come what may.

2. We should praise and encourage them – but be careful not to overdo.- Show appreciation sincerely ,be specific .Do not hesitate to tell them how to improve. Kids like that and work towards that. Our comments must not be critical but supportive and constructive.

3.  Encourage them to be responsible at home with friends and  everything around. This will make them feel capable of managing situations. Children like discipline.

4.  Respect your child. Listen and communicate with them showing keen interest, sometimes spending time with them alone. Respect their point of view and don’t be too judgemental.

5.  Teach them sound values of honesty,hard work, caring,respecting and most of all to be grateful for all they have. This will make them  happy and satisfied .

Spend  quality time with your child.They need your love , guidance and patience to grow into confident,happy and good human beings.

Another few lines to remember :-

I am beautiful and wonderful,

I am happy with all of me.

I am special, there is no one around  just like me.

I thank You God for making me.

( A.C. educational Research Team.     Frank Bros.&Co.)

happy

Kids , you can feel low or sad sometimes – it is absolutely normal.Mums and Dads please don’t analyse every action of your child. It is good to realise your kids too need a little space however big or small they may be.

Parents,you are the single greatest influence on your child’s self esteem.

Pearls of Wisdom :-

Love without condition.

Do not be judgemental.

Learn to communicate to have good relationships.

 

 

 

 

Car Hanger -No Honking

The festival season is here again and along with happiness ,joy and family reunions we will have to live with both sound and air pollution.

Kids here we have a craft idea with junk -No Honking-. A hanger for your car. With so much rush and traffic every where we can’t help but honk.This hanger is for the driver, mom  and dad .Lets start:-

Things needed:-

1. Plastic CD cover.

2.  Worksheet as shown below.You can have your own idea.

3.  Scissors, paste, colours, crayons and anything else to                                 decorate your hanger.

4.  Ribbon to make a loop for hanging.

Method:-          Cut the pictures to size. First stick the ribbon making a loop.Now stick one picture on either side of the CD.Colour,paint and decorate..Gift it to the driver to put in the car. Saying –

NO HONKING PLEASE

and

HEAR MUSIC BUT SOFTLY.

WE have remembered the 3 Rs  REDUCE , REUSE ,RECYCLE  by using junk and waste.

cd cover    materialyour art box

worksheet

no sound

Ready CD hanger –

cd reasdy

 

 

Be as creative as you like.

 

 

Ganpati Festival

The ten day Ganpati festival will start on the 17th of September and end on the 27th September, the final immersion day. These ten days will be full of devotion ,excitement and fun .You will  see lights and decorations  every where.People move around to visit all the pandals.

ganpati        gan

Six years ago ( 2009 )the eco-Ganpati campaign was launched And is going on very successfully.What is eco friendly or green Ganpati?

Ganpatis made out of material that can fully dissolve in water and prevent water pollution and blockages are called eco friendly.

Some eco friendly materials are –

.  Soft black clay or muddy soil.

.  Paper and wood pulp.

.  Pulp of certain plant leaves and stems.

.  Water colours or colours extracted from nature such as flowers and fruits.

These components completely disolve in water and do not harm the environment.

eco4 pulp  eco1mud

eco2  eco3

Some eco friendly ways:- Try them-

.  Immerse eco friendly idols at home in a large tub and use the water for plants.

.  Not to use thermocol and plastic for decorations.

.  The flowers which are offered to Ganpati don’t just throw them away you can make a compost or put the flowers in the big hundis provided by the BMC.

.  Use permanent idols made of marble ,stone ,brass etc. Do a symbolic immersion and reuse the idol the next year.

Pearl of Wisdom :-

Enjoy the Ganpati Festival but remember help to keep your city clean.

 

 

 

Festival Season-Love and Respect all

There are 12 months in a year and almost each  month is special for something.After August we have many fesitvals – Rakhee,  Eid ,  Janamashtami ……..They are all celebrated with gaiety and fun, each festival having its own story and speciality .

Our pearl of  wisdom:-

p of wisdom

 

We must learn to respect each other’s religion .Never laugh at any rituals that are done at a festival. We all pray and believe in one Almighty.All religions say the same thing in different ways. love and respect.

Another important thing to remember is to take care of ‘ Mother Earth’ especially during festivals when we are so busy celebrating and  often forget about our environment.

A few things should come naturally to us :-

.  Use a dustbin to throw trash.Here is something I do -when people stand on the road offering water or juice during a festival,they are doing something nice but-they forget a dustbin- so paper glasses are thrown on the road.I just suggest to them to keep a box for the waste.

bin

.  Don’t waste food. Leftovers can be given to the street children. There are NGO’s who can help you. Make other kids happy and enjoy just like you.

orphans      happy kids

.  Say no to sound pollution. Enjoy music and dance but respect your neighbours.Think of the animals- they hate loud sound.

sound p   sound p 1

I am not telling you to be “goodie goodie” You have the right to enjoy…….Your Pearls of wisdom-

.Care and share.

.Respect all religions.

.Think of the less fortunate.

.No to pollution- sound and air.-

Enjoy your life and together celebrate all the festivals.

HAPPY CELEBRATIONS…….

de       de1        de2

cd3   de4

Behaviour Pattern 3

Telling falsehoods -Lying

lie1 Telling falsehoods or lying is also a normal part of growing up. It is not a moral issue and if not handled delicately and with patience it could become a habit.Children are smart and can understand so it is important to help them appreciate and understand the value of truth. Stories always help – Here’s one we have all enjoyed listening to when we were kids -we also learnt about not telling lies :-

boy and sheep

Ofcourse like I have mentioned there is no magic method that can help you bringing up your kids without facing difficult situations -“falsehoods” being one .Love and patience is your best tool.

A little note on why children lie and some dos and don’ts:-

 

Young children are often confused about facts.They are full of curiosity and like to listen to adult talk. Sometimes they like to participate in adult conversations ( if encouraged by them.) making themselves there in situations being talked about.- making up large tales.

Children when very young don’t know the difference between the real and unreal.

.  They like to rehearse or retell a story they have heard….”I have a red noddy car…..

.  To avoid punishment they smartly make up tales.

.  If parents are too strict children learn to be untrue   because they are scared of the outcome or they may make up and say things which they think would please their parents.-Untrue stories-

.  Too many don’ts and restrictions may make the child do wrong things and then make up tales to get away.

.  Sometimes they just like to repeat adult conversations they have heard making  themselves in that situation -” Oh today I handled a huge elephant.”

.  To get attention of their teacher they may tell untrue things -” I Have a horse at home.” It could become a habit -so just avoid with a smile.

.  Many a times they like to do exactly like their friends -” I too am going to America.”

.  Untrue statements sometimes makes kids feel they may be looked up to.

Telling falsehoods are childish misdeeds.Children are innocent and if one questions them gently they will be honest. We should never ridicule them in front of other kids.Always correct them and explain why it is not nice to tell untrue tales.

We as adults/parents should handle such situations with maturity and patience.Be strict yet gentle.

lie1  Speak to the child when he/ she is alone telling him /her you won’t punish if tells the truth.Try to find out why he/she was not honest ,that will help you to understand  the situation  and so handle it the correct way.

lie2  You can make the situation a little fun and pass your message of being truthful.

lie ” Who stole the cookie?” Explain to the child that if he/she asks for something is always nicer than taking something quietly and then when questioned to lie .

Words may lie but actions will always tell the truth. So handle gently.Wrong procedures may make the telling of untruths a habit.

Pearl of Wisdom :-

Truth always prevails.

Don’t be scared – Stand up for the truth.