How to Live the Best way during Difficult Times and still Be Always Grateful

By

Hi Parents,

The year 2020 is one that will be remembered by generations to come…The Covid 19 Pandemic…

We are learning and have learnt and still learning… to live with the  Covid 19 Pandemic.It’s been almost a year when we have all been at home and learnt multitasking.It’s been a tough time for you parents especially for you dear mums and of course you all dear children.We have all learnt to do things together and to live with each other the best way we can .We have had happy times,sad times, trying times,difficult times and easy times and frustrating times, wondering how to manage ourselves. We have learnt not to  take things for granted but to be always grateful for all that we have….a home to live in,friends and family and all our daily needs.The world will be a changed place when things become normal or I should say near normal .here are some pictures which say it all:-

Learning to do things at home.

                                                                       Messy home

Working together and multi-tasking

Pearls of Wisdom :

………Let’s think of small things in life which we always took for granted.

Let’s be Grateful for Each  New Day in our lives.

Let’s be grateful for everything in our lives.

Value our Loved Ones.

We have had a quality family time,were mum,dad, children,grandparents and relations have been home together.We have all  been busy in the rat race of life and had forgotten what family bonding means.We grew closer to our loved ones and realised what they like ,what they don’t .We have learnt how important it is to respect each other and to value each other’s work and time.

We have learnt how to share work and help each other .No work is difficult to do whether it is sweeping ,mopping ,washing or cooking.We have learnt time management and multi-tasking.

We have learnt to be grateful and thankful for all that we have got.We have learnt how to manage with simple and small amounts of everything we use… food, provisions, daily requirements.The joy of simple homemade food and the importance of eating meals together.

Caring and sharing .The joy of giving and realising how lucky we are to have a home and loved ones.Respecting each other and understanding how everyone’s work is important.Most importantly, we have learnt to value our house help and  realised how much work they did for us.

We have all in someway or the other helped the less fortunate…The Joy of Giving.

The Covid lockdown has made us observant. We have seen things in the house and outside which we took for granted and learnt to appreciate all things big and small.We suddenly realised how beautiful the world is .Every tree, flower and bird chirping  looked so beautiful .The sky with the setting sun and clouds made us gasp with excietment and made us want to capture that simple moment in a photo and maybe we  shared with others.

We have learnt the fun of connecting with our long lost friends and relations.Respect and care for senior citizens.

We rediscovered ourselves.Remembering our old hobbies and trying them out again.We realised the joy of being just by ourselves.. just sitting and staring into space which we may not have done for a iong time.. as we were too busy running around.

Most of all, we have learnt the meaning of life and how to live and be happy with whatever we have. Everything big or small needs to be nurtured and respected.We all have our own little stories that the lockdown has made us experience.

Ofcouse all the time has not been happy .There were and will be difficult days.Times when we feel how will we carry on .We have lost our tempers and had bad moods.We have learnt to control and discipline ourselves.

Be patient.. this too will pass.Be strong and stand by each other and we will come out into a better world and be better people.Let us not give up and keep doing our best in whatever way we can.

So…OUR PEARLS OF WISDOM are:

To be loving, caring and patient.

To Respect others and ourselves.

The importance of simple food and  simple exercise.

Being observant not missing even the smallest things that are around us.

Making Gratefulness our daily habit.

We should stick to these after the covid lockdown and become better human beings and the world a better place to live in.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How to Make a Book Mark

By

BOOK MARKS—–

Hi kids

This is the age of the internet and so book reading is slowly vanishing.Read my earlier post on ‘Story Telling’ and you will know the importance of books.Reading gives you a feel that the internet cannot do .When you read you transport yourself into a fantasy world. .Make it a habit to read or look at a book at least once a day.

What is a Book Mark? Well its a piece of paper or anything else like an ice-cream stick or ribbon which you put  in between the page of a book that you are reading.When you want to start reading again the book mark will take you straight away to the page you had stopped on.

They can be used for you school text books and exercise books.

A well kept book shows your respect for your teacher.

Book marks are easy to make.remember the 3 R’s reduce,Reuse and Recycle.Any waste material can be used to make a book mark

The images  are from google.I have made each one of them with my little students.Here is something I would like to share ,I don’t know how to post the  bookmarks i have made so I use images from google.

One thing you must always remember never ever feel small in telling someone that you can’t do something or you have’nt heard of somehing.

.It’s not nice  to be  a -Know all Person- all the time..Learning never stops whatever your age  You can learn from anyone ,older or younger.

Be honest to yourself.

Remember:- PEARLS OF WISDOM

..To have an adult when you make them to avoid accidents.

..Care and share with your friends….you will enjoy more and get better ideas.

..Be responsible.Clear the space putting things back in their place and throw the left overs in the ..dry bin..(garbage segregation)

..If you gift a book to someone you can give a Book Mark as well -one that you have made yourself. A book mark will keep away.. dog ears ..that means you don’t fold the right corner of the page to mark where you have stopped.

Here are some book marks you can make using old material:-

.  Book mark made of old ,used chart paper or thin card board got from boxes eg choco box or toothpaste box.

….Material needed: Scissors,Old chart or card board,Glue,Ribbon.Punch and bits of coloured paper small beads .news paper any tit bits at home.                                                          

….Cut chart/card board into a rectangle 1 1/2 inch (width)and 6 inch length.

….Punch a whole on one side and pass a 4 inch ribbon. Thread a bead on each end and tie a knot.Tie a knot with the two ends as well.

….Put glue on the rectangle and stick the coloured paper randomly,and let it dry.

….Cover the book mark with plastic or you can ask mum to get it laminated.

….You can cut flowers ,different shapes or pictures from old books… stick them instead of pieces of paper …to decorate the book mark

…News paper covered Book marks.

……Here you follow the same method.The book mark can be cut in any shape, on one side.

…..Instead of sticking colourful paper and shapes the whole book mark is covered with news paper.you can use news paper with pictures of ads to make it more interesting….

…..Laminate or cover with plastic .This way the book mark does’nt tare.

 

You can decorate ice- cream sticks …just plain colouring with designs,stick flowers or make animal heads and paste on one side as show in the picture

 

 

 

 

 

Here are some more pictures .Children you  be as creative as you like. Use butterfly cut out the sun,moon or stars

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoy making your book marks. You can gift your hand made bookmark to just anyone.

Always remember the 3 R’s when you do art and craft….Reduce,Reuse, Recycle.Sometimes you can also redo what u have and make it new.

Lets not waste . Lets Save our Mother Earth.

 

 

Christmas and The Joy of being a Giver

By

                                                   

Hello Kids

How have you all been ? It’s the end of the Year 2020 .Yes it’s December the month we all eagerly wait for.Its Christmas Season .

This year (2020) has been different because of the Pandemic ..”Covid 19″. We have all been at home for almost 9 months and things are not the same .Christmas too will be different.We will talk about the Pandemic and what we have learnt during this peroid in another post.

Today I am going to share a beautiful touching story about Christmas.

Its Christmas time and little Bill is very excited .It’s the time of the year when he always visits his grandmother ,who makes delicious cookies.She puts up the Christmas tree which he  is allowed to decorate as he listens to stories about Santa, who, she tells him comes down from the south pole in his sledge carrying gifts for all the children.He talks about the Christmas party telling his grandma what fun he has with his friends.

 

This year Bill is a little upset as the older boys in school have told him that there is no Santa.They laughed at him and said” Even dummies know that.”

Bill does’nt want to believe them and he is sure his grandma would know better.She always told the truth.He would ask  her and believing her would always be easier after he had eaten her cookies.

After decorating the tree and listening to Christmas stories,Bill sat down with his cookies and between bites told grandma what he had heard bout Santa.

‘No Santa?? That’s ridiculous’ grandma said.She told Bill “this story has been doing the rounds,don’t believe it.”

Grandma then asked Bill to leave the cookies for later and  to wear his coat.”Where to are we going”Bill asked.”To the toy shop down the corner”. she said.When they reached the toy shop grandma handed him 10 $ and asked him to buy  something for someone who needs it.Bill had never shopped by himself before and began to wonder what he would buy.More than that he began to think of someone who really needed something. After a while he remembered John ,his neighbor who did’nt have a coat to keep himself warm during winter ,so he always stayed indoors while other  kids

had fun  playing in the snow.Bill now knew who he will shop for.

He decided to pick up a red coat,which looked warm,for John.”Is this a present for Christmas”the counter lady asked as Bill gave her the 10$.’Yes ma’am”Bill said and told her how John needed a coat to keep himself warm.The counter lady took the 10$ and gave the coat to Bill.

That evening grandma wrapped the coat .(A little tag fell off the coat which grandma put aside.)She put ribbons on the parcel and on a paper she wrote’To John from Santa.”

Grandma then drove me to John’s house and on the way told me that Santa insists on secrecy.She then said that from now I was one of Santa’s offical helpers.When we reached John’s house grandma nudged me and said”‘Now Santa Claus get to work.”  She told me to quietly place the present outside John’s house ,ring the door bell and rush back. I did exactly that and

we waited breathlessly to see John’s door open.It finally did open and I can still visualize the excitment on John’s face when he saw the present.

That night I realised all the rumours about Santa were’ ridiculous ‘,just like grandma said.Santa was alive and we each one of us as we grow up become his team,spreading joy and happiness.That night I realised it was not only me who was Santa’s offical helper but the lady at the counter too was one of Santa’s team .The coat she gave me for 10$ was actually for 20$.I had learnt and experienced something I would never forget.

So kids always believe in the Magic of Christmas and Santa Claus.Spread love and enjoy the ‘Joy of becoming a Giver.’

The world is magical..look around and see.sometimes things just happen and that is what the magic is.

Care and Share and make your friends and everyone you know happy.

Learn the Joy of Giving every Festival and watch the Smiles you spread.

 

 

Story telling

By

Hello kids,

  •                     

I am writing after a very long time.Today we are going to start a new section…………….Story Telling…..and… Reading……

You all like to listen to stories I am sure. Story time can be anytime and in any place, at home or outside in a park just anywhere.As you grow up story time gradually becomes reading time.

You can listen to a story when someone is reading.You can watch puppet shows or watch a little video.You enjoy stories at bedtime and listen to stories with your friends. You can spend Me Time by reading a story just by yourself.When you are a pre schooler you can just look at pictures and gradually you learn to read words and then sentences.Stories should be age appropriate.

Stories can be funny, sometimes nonsensical ,that means they don’t make real sense but your brain begins to imagine what you hear.Sometimes stories are serious and scary.Then we have real life stories.Some stories have morals and values which you can imbibe in real life situations.Stories take you into another world that can be full of imagination.

                                       

I will begin by telling you why  stories and reading are important in our lives.

  1. Stories are fun.while listening to a story we go into a world of fantasy -where animals talk and play with us.We imagine a world of fairies and magic.We can sit on a flying carpet and reach the clouds.
  2. Stories make us think .We learn new words, experience drama and rhythm.
  3. Listening to stories we can increase our attention span and learn to focus especially if we read a book as our mind does not get distracted watching movements as with puppets.
  4. Story time is our’ Mindful Me” time where we can totally focus in the present , that means keep your mind in story ,at the present moment.
  5. We learn morals and values from stories ,this can help us to become compassionate human beings.
  6. We learn to respect our friends and elders by listening patiently, we try not to interrupt even if we are not enjoying,learning social behaviour.
  7. But most of all we listen to stories or read for fun .
  8. If we are alone and don’t know what to do try reading a book.You will enjoy your own company as well.
  9. Stories make us think and help us to become creative writers.

     Important things to remember when reading:-

                                                                                   

 

 

 

 

 

 Posture:-

.  As far as possible sit in an upright position with the book at least a foot away from your eyes.

.  if you want to read at bed time place a pillow behind your lower back to support your spine.a pillow can be placed on your lap to help your arms hold your book  away from the eyes.

.  The light should fall from behind your shoulder and as far as possible no shadow should fall on the page you are reading.

.  Reading in the daylight would be the best with proper posture…ie no strain on spine and neck and no shadow on the book.

.  Try and keep your neck straight or tilt a little to match your line of vision this will help in not to straining your eyes,spine and neck.

.  While reading avoid distraction and enjoy your” Me Time” Time  with yourself and your book.

                                         

Caring for your Books:-

.  Keep your books in a shelf away from moisture and too much sunlight.

.  Use a book mark when you want to stop reading.Never ,Never fold the corner of the page.

.  Turn the pages gently and from the right corner  of the page, this will protect  your page from getting torn.

.  Never leave your book on the ground or stamp on them.

..Remember books are your very special friends .

Here is a famous quote by Dr Suess  who has written some amazing stories for children.

“The more you read, the more things you  know.The more that you learn ,the more places you will go.”

Reading helps us to discover new things and words increasing our vocabulary.

It helps to develop our mind and imagination.

Reading helps us to learn to focus and spend time with ourselves.

Listening to stories when you cant read increases our listening skills.

Reading enhances our Self Esteem.

So kids try and get into the habit of reading.Books can be one of your best friends,and one such friend who will always be with you.

                                         

                                                       Open a Book

Open a book

And you will find

People and places of every kind ;

Open a book

And you can be

Anything that you want to be;

Open a book

And you can share

Wondrous worlds you find in there;

Open a book

And I will too

You read to me

And I’ll read to you.

                                By Jane Baskwill 

                                               

 

 

Care for Yourself this Monsoon.—You are Important

By

.   MONSOON—–

This is the time of the year we all wait for eagerly. The rains are a big relief after a hot and sometimes dry summer.Monsoon is an important part of our lives ….Remember …Water is Life….We all depend on the rains for our daily water supply , the plants need water to grow and the rain is important for cooling and cleaning of the earth.

Rains are fun time as well

We all know how we get rain .Its magical and the cycle of life.

On a rainy day stand with your eyes closed and listen to all the sounds you can hear

The pitter patter of the rain drops ,the sound of thunder and the splash of water.The sounds of the opening umbrella and the laughter of the children.

Remember —  “Water is a Precious Gift from God.Save every drop.

Today i am  not just going to tell you how important water is and how to save water. We will talk about something as important and that is You.

Rains are important but along with it comes things that make us anxious.Everything stays  damp and wet and often fungus tends to grow on food and our clothing.There is a smell of dampness and we begin to wait for sunny days.Sometimes the walls and ceiling of our homes begin to get wet and leak.When the rain water fills. up holes and water stagnats  the risk of diseases increases. We can be prone to colds,  fever, malaria and water borne diseases like typhoid.our digestive system becomes a little weak and we can get stomach upsets.

Children we can enjoy the rains but we need to be careful and take care of ourselves. Remember you are important.

Here are some dos and don’ts to follow during the monsoon:-

Always carry an umbrella or raincoat.When you are not using it  fold and keep them away .Make sure the umbrella or raincoat is dry  or else they will begin to smell.

If you get wet, dry yourself once you return home .

Change into dry clothes.Wash your hands and feet before touching anything.

Drink something hot and eat only home made hot food .Avoid outside food this will keep stomach upsets away.

When in school carry a set of dry clothes and a napkin.

You can have fun and splash in puddles sometimes but remember to move wet shoes and socks.

Take care not to splash on someone.When in a car ask the driver to go slow when there is a puddle –you need to care for others.

Keep your home free from mosquitoes —

Don’t take out food from a box with wet hands.

You can enjoy the rains—Go for trek with your friends.

Go to the beach and watch the tides but keep safe distance.

You can plan a monsoon party with the help of your mum and invite your friends…plan some interesting craft work,sing songs and watch a short kids movie.you can also enjoy cooking mabe bake a cake or biscuits with the help of mum.

Enjoy the rain kids but keep safe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoy the monsoon but remember you are important ..so take care of yourself during the rains.