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Dragon Fruit for Baby - Is it Safe to Give Your Child?
Fruits are some of the best things to offer babies along with certain vegetables, but not all fruits are suitable for babies, especially if they are for the consumption of a baby lesser than a year old. Dragon fruit is a fruit of several different species of cactus which are cultivated in the tropical and subtropical regions. They are known for their high nutritive content, but are they good for babies? Read more to find out.
Can Babies Eat Dragon Fruit?
Dragon fruits are loaded with many essential nutrients such as Vitamin A, B1, B2, B3 and C, Iron and calcium. They is also rich in fibre which improves bowel movement making them a good option to introduce to your baby. Although it is advisable to wait up to a year, some mothers introduce dragon fruit as early as 6 months to their babies and they handle it well unless they are allergic.
Health Benefits of Dragon Fruit for Babies
Here is why dragon fruit is good for your baby:
1. Antioxidants
Dragon fruit is rich in antioxidants. They protect your baby’s cells and helps avoid damage to the body. This also boosts their immunity and they are less prone to diseases.
2. Protects the Heart
Dragon fruit has nutrients that promote heart health in infants and adults. This means your child will grow up healthy and have lesser chances of heart problems at later stages of life.
3. Helps Build Strong Bones
Abundant in calcium and phosphorous, dragon fruit is highly helpful for bone development. Phosphorous combined with phenolic and flavonoid compounds help lay down a good bone density making them strong. It also wards off diseases such as rickets in childhood and arthritis later on.
4. An Abundance of Vitamin C
Dragon fruit has plenty of Vitamin C which is essential for many of the body’s processes. It is needed for growth and development of bones, muscles and skin and aid in the development of the circulatory system. It boosts immunity and prevents deficiency diseases like scurvy.
5. Fibrous Flesh
Fibre is necessary for the healthy movement for your child’s bowel and to maintain the digestive tract. It also stabilizes the sugar content and helps them feel full promoting a healthy weight gain and avoiding obesity.
6. Good for Bowel
Sugary junk foods often cause children to bloat and even lead to constipation. Dragon fruit’s fibre content helps in the smooth movement of their bowel and aids in digestion. The high roughage from fibre content in the fruit also avoids constipation.
7. Vitamin A
An essential nutrient, Vitamin A is needed for healthy eyes and good skin. It also aids in building immunity and sharpens vision.
8. Good Source of Iron
Dragon fruit is wonderful in boosting red blood cell count as it is rich in iron. This prevents anaemia, a deficiency disease which can lead to many developmental disorders in infants. The rich iron content is also essential in promoting healthy growth of hair.
9. Good for Nerves
The Phosphorous, Sodium and Calcium content in dragon fruit ensures proper functioning of the nervous system. This means the baby develops good motor and sensory skills.
10. Healthy Skin
Vitamin C is essential to build and repair skin; therefore, dragon fruit is highly helpful in maintaining the texture and tenderness of your baby’s skin.
11. Good for Kidneys
Dragon fruit’s detoxification effect help rid the body of harmful chemicals. This helps maintain a healthily functioning urinary system.
Precautions to Take before Feeding Dragon Fruit to Infant
Just like any other food that you introduce to your child, the first and the foremost thing to check is if your child is allergic to it. In case of dragon fruit, feed a tiny portion of the fruit and watch for symptoms of rashes or swelling in the mouth of lips. Sometimes foods can irritate the digestive tract and cause symptoms such as diarrhoea and bloating.
The fruit needs to be washed thoroughly as they can contain traces of pollen which can cause allergies. Since dragon fruit has a good amount of vitamin C, they are also a little high on the acidic side. This can irritate the stomach of babies and hence the fruit must only be started with other more neutral foods. When in doubt, consult your child’s paediatrician.
How to Add Dragon Fruit in Baby's Diet?
Once your baby has started eating solids, dragon fruit is pretty easy to serve; all you need to do is cut it in half and scoop out the inner flesh which is the edible part, just look out for the seeds. A good starting point is the red dragon fruit for baby as they are more delicious than the white ones. If your baby likes the taste of it, they are more likely to eat it without much fuss, therefore try with red dragon fruit first. Dragon fruit can also be served as a puree or with other fruits such as blueberries, apples, cranberries and peaches. It goes well with yogurt too and is used in some preparation of chicken dishes.
How to Make Dragon Fruit Puree for Baby?
Purees of dragon fruit for baby constipation is a great way to ease their bowel movement while giving them all the essential nutrients they need. Here’s how to prepare dragon fruit for baby to get them started on it:
What you Need
To make a dragon fruit puree, you need:
1 cup chopped dragon fruit
1-2 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Cold water or ice cubes as needed
How to Make
Blend all the ingredients together until smooth. You could filter out the seeds with a sieve if there are any large ones left after blending. Serve immediately.
Like with most fruits, dragon fruits are also quite beneficial for the health of your little one.
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Dehydration in Children
Children are more prone to dehydration than adults since their smaller bodies have lesser reserves of water. Generally, children are also more active than adults and spend much time out playing in the sun. Children are also more susceptible to illnesses that cause dehydration like vomiting and diarrhea.
What is Dehydration?
Dehydration occurs when the body loses more water than it can retain. The body doesn’t have enough fluids to function properly. The reasons for dehydration can be many and varied and you must keep a look out for the same.
Facts about Dehydration in Kids
Dehydration among children is caused by many reasons. Some of the most common causes include vomiting, diarrhea, and not drinking enough fluids. Only in rare cases will excessive sweating or urination cause dehydration. Smaller children will lose liquids faster than older children.
Causes
The following are few of the reasons for dehydration in kids:
Fever
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Viral infections that reduces the ability to eat or drink
Sores in the mouth that make eating or drinking painful
Increased sweating due to a hot environment
Excessive urination
Diabetes
Conditions like cystic fibrosis that do not allow food or water to be absorbed by the body
Signs and Symptoms
There are several signs that you can look out for dehydration in your children. Here are some of the more common symptoms:
Not urinating for more than six hours
Dark colored urine
Dry mouth with cracked lips
Lethargy
No tears when crying
Cold or dry skin
Increased heart rate or breathing
Sunken eyes
Diagnosis of Dehydration
When you visit your child’s doctor, she will take a complete history and will also conduct a thorough physical exam to determine the health of your child. The doctor might also ask for certain tests. Some of them include:
A complete blood count to determine if there is an infection and then specific cultures to determine the cause of the infection if any.
Urine analysis to determine if there is a bladder infection or to identify a more serious underlying condition.
How to Measure Dehydration
The Clinical Dehydration Scale can be used to determine the severity of the dehydration your child is suffering from. It is a scale that even you can use. With the scale, you can determine if your child’s dehydration levels are increasing or decreasing. This information can help your doctor when she is treating your child.
Calculating Dehydration Status
There are several easy steps you can take to calculate the dehydration status of your child. The steps include:
Make a note of your child’s symptoms
Add points on the scale according to the value of the symptom on the chart
Add the points and get the score
Clinical Dehydration Scale
0
1
2
General Appearance
Normal
Thirsty, restless, lethargic. Irritable when touched
Drowsy, limp, cold, sweaty
Eyes
Normal
Slightly sunken
Very sunken
Mucous Membranes*
Moist
Sticky
Dry
Tears
Present
Decreased
Absent
*Mucous membranes include the moist lining of the mouth and the eyes.
Score of 0 = no dehydration
Score of 1 to 4 = some dehydration
Score of 5 to 8 = moderate to severe dehydration
Treatment For Dehydration in a Child
The treatment of the dehydration is based on the severity of the dehydration that is determined using the Clinical Dehydration Scale.
Moderate To Severe Dehydration (a score of 5 to 8): If your child scores at this level on the scale, then you must immediately get medical attention for him. Make sure you tell your doctor of all the signs and symptoms you have taken a note of.
Mild Dehydration (a score of 1 to 4): Start your child on oral rehydration solution immediately. Though there are many readymade ORS solutions available in the market, it is best that you make fresh electrolyte solutions at home. In a liter of clean, fresh water, mix 6 teaspoons of sugar with half a teaspoon of salt. Give your child one or two teaspoons every five minutes. If your child refuses the ORS then make sure he gets his fluids from fresh fruit juices or even milk if he is not suffering from diarrhea.
No Dehydration (a score of 0): Even if your child does not show any signs of dehydration, continue giving her fluids after each episode of vomiting or diarrhea. Make sure your child eats well during this period as well.
Medication Used for Dehydration
Your doctor will decide on a course of treatment for dehydration based on the severity of the loss of fluids.
If the dehydration is mild, around 3 to 5% loss of total body weight, then your doctor will most likely prescribe the oral rehydration method discussed above. You will be able to administer this at your home.
In case of moderate dehydration, around 5 to 10% of loss of body weight, then your child’s doctor will administer fluids intravenously or IV. This is to ensure quick replacement of fluids. After a round of IV, if the fluid retention is good, your doctor will send you home to continue oral rehydration.
Severe dehydration or a loss of 10 to 15% of body weight will require your child to be admitted in the hospital with IV fluids. Further tests will be required to determine the cause of infection. For bacterial infections, a round of antibiotics will be administered. No medicines will be administered for viral infections as they tend to run their course. Specific medicines to stop vomiting will be avoided in children as it tends to prolong the illness.
Treatment after Rehydration
Once your child is better rehydrated, the next step is to ease her back into eating what she normally eats. About 4 to 6 hours after the last episode of vomiting or diarrhea, you can give your child the food she enjoys eating. While you do not have to restrict her food to bananas, rice, toast, and apple sauce, it is best to avoid highly processed foods that have a high content of sugar and salt. High fat foods that are spicy are also best avoided.
If episodes of vomiting and diarrhea continue, you should give your child a few teaspoons of oral rehydration solution for babies after each episode.
Home Remedies
There are some natural remedies for dehydration that you can try for the management of dehydration in children. Some of them are:
The main method of managing dehydration in children is through oral rehydration. You should make the oral rehydration solution fresh at your home and administer it every few minutes if the dehydration is severe.
For breast feeding infants, you must reduce the amount per feeding. If your infant has vomited twice, then feed your child every one to two hours. If your infant has vomited more than two times then you should nurse her for 5 minutes every 30 to 60 minutes. If the vomiting continues, then switch to oral rehydration for a stretch of 4 hours.
Children older than one year can be given fluids like flat soda, Gatorade, clear soups, popsicles and oral rehydration. For cases of only vomiting you can also give your child water and ice chips.
Limit food to bland complex carbohydrates for a period of 24 hours.
Feed your child bread, saltine crackers, rice, and cereals
Give your child tender coconut water as it is an excellent source of fluids.
Yoghurt
Bananas
Watery fruits like watermelon
Buttermilk
How to Prevent Dehydration
Some of the precautions of dehydration in children include:
While it is impossible to protect your child from infections that could cause dehydration, you can stay vigilant for any of the signs of dehydration.
On especially hot days, ensure that your child is receiving adequate amounts of fluids.
Do not give your child carbonated drinks. They contain high levels of sugar that could cause dehydration.
Dilute the juices your child prefers to drink with water to ensure adequate fluid replacement.
If the environment your child plays in is very humid, then it is best that you prevent him from doing so. High relative humidity will cause excessive sweating.
Ensure that your child wears the appropriate clothing for play. Light colored clothes with ventilation as the best option to dissipate heat to prevent excessive heat build up.
When to Seek Doctors Help
You must immediately seek medical help in the following conditions:
Your child’s signs of dehydration do not seem to improve with time or are getting worse.
There is blood in the stool or if the vomit is green.
Your child is unable to ingest enough fluids for adequate replacement.
Persistent vomiting or diarrhea that hampers your child’s ability to consume fluids.
Diarrhea that lasts for more than ten days.
Things to Remember
When it comes to dehydration in children, you will do well to keep these points in mind:
Infants and younger children are more susceptible to getting dehydrated.
Early detection and treatment is the best line of defense.
Mild dehydration in children can be managed at home.
Children with severe dehydration must be given immediate medical attention.
Dehydration in children can be both frequent and dangerous. It is best to keep track of all symptoms and administer fluid levels at the earliest. With dehydration in children, it is better to be cautious and seek medical assistance for your child.
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Permissive Parenting Style - Characteristics, Effects & more
If your parenting style is categorized by high responsiveness and low demands, then you may be practising permissive parenting style. Know everything you need to understand about permissive parenting style and how you can effectively manage your parenting style for the benefit of your child.
What Is Indulgent Parenting?
Permissive parenting is also known as indulgent parenting. Parents adopt a very friendly parenting approach in this kind of parenting style, and they often do not expect their children to act or behave in a mature manner. The parents love to nurture the personality, talents, and needs of their kids without being demanding and exercising extremely low self-regulation and discipline. Such parents are very relaxed and lenient with their children and do not keep a tab on their every action or move.
Why Some Parents Follow Permissive Parenting Style?
Some parents who have been raised by very controlling or authoritative parents or by the parents who adopted helicopter parenting style may adopt or practise exactly the opposite. They may adopt a parenting style that is very relaxed and easy on kids.
There are some parents who adopt permissive parenting because they want to be friends with their children instead of being a parent figure. They may feel that exercising control and discipline may harm their relationship with their children.
On the other hand, some parents may adopt indulgent parenting style just because they are themselves too relaxed in life. They may not be paying heed to any structured or disciplined kind of parenting and usually adopt a very haphazard way of parenting. They may not like imposing any kind of rules or restrictions on their kids as it may hamper with their laid back attitude and thus let their kids behave the way they want too.
What Are the Characteristics of Indulgent Parenting Style?
If you are wondering that how you will be able to understand if you are practising indulgent parenting style, the following characteristics may help you understand better:
1. Lacks Structure
This kind of parenting style lacks structure, and the parents usually do not follow any order or schedule.
2. More of a Friend Than A Parent
The indulgent parenting style is characterized by parents having a very friendly attitude towards their children. The parents do not behave like parents; on the contrary, they behave more like friends with their kids.
3. No Control
The permissive parenting style involves minimal or no parental control over the children.
4. Avoids Conflict
The parents have low or no confrontations or conflicts with their children. They have a laid-back attitude towards parenting.
5. Excess Freedom
This parenting style involves giving too much freedom to the children and not holding the children responsible for their action.
6. Parents Want to Be Liked
The parents want to be liked and adored by their kids in this kind of parenting style, and thus they agree to whatever their kids say or demands. They despise upsetting their children.
What Are the Effects of Lenient Style of Parenting on Children?
If you have been adopting a lenient style of parenting with your children, you may notice following effects of permissive parenting on your children:
1. Behavioural Problems
Kids who are brought up with this kind of parenting style usually develop behavioural problems. They may grow up with an irresponsible and very casual attitude towards life. They may also find it extremely difficult to deal with their faults.
2. Impulsive Attitude
You may notice your kid is very impulsive and he may do things in haste. He may also not take any responsibility for his actions. All this is because of indulgent parenting style.
3. Bullying Nature
If you are a lenient parent then you may notice your kid not adhering to rules and regulation. You may even find him repulsive and even not scared of the consequences of his bad actions or even punishment. He may even bully other kids in school.
4. Poor Academic Performance
The permissive parenting style involves very low or no expectations from their children. The children with this attitude may exhibit poor or below average academic performance at school. Such kids usually do not set any goals in life.
5. Emotional Inadequacy
In the lenient parenting style, the parents make all possible efforts for not upsetting their kids. They make efforts to meet all the demands and requirements of their kids and thus all they try and create is a happy atmosphere. This kind of practice hampers with kid’s emotions, and they might find it difficult to deal with their emotions.
6. Poor Decision-Making Capabilities
As parents do not impose discipline and any kind of rules for their children, the children become dull and lack the apt decision making and problem-solving capabilities.
7. More Prone to Substance Use
Children who are raised under permissive parenting style are more likely to engage in acts of misconduct. They may even become alcoholics and drug addicts.
8. Lack the Ability to Manage Time and Other Habits
This parenting style lacks any kind of structure and rules, and thus the kids find it difficult to understand and learn their limits. They may do things excessively such as, watching too much T.V., eating too much junk food, playing for long hours on computer etc. They tend to develop unhealthy habits that may lead to health complications such as obesity.
These were some of the outcomes of adopting permissive parenting style but there are many other problems that may arise because of permissive parenting style.
Some Permissive Parenting Examples
We will discuss some permissive parenting examples for you to understand this parenting style in a better way:
You do not follow or have a specific schedule for your kid’s playing, studying, eating or sleeping. You just go with the flow and do whatever your child desires to do. If he wishes to be up till late at night even when he has to wake up early the next day for school, you do not tell him to go to bed. This is because you do not wish to upset your kid.
You are at a supermarket, and your kid insists on having a candy bar. You allow him to have it in spite of the fact that he already had three candy bars during the day. But you buy him one more candy bar and let him have it.
You ask your kid to do something but at his own convenience. Like you asked him to wind up his toys after playing but only if he is not feeling tired after playing.
Your teenage kid has his exams around the corner, but he has to attend three parties in a row. You not only allow him to go but you also tell him to have a gala time at the party by not worrying about the upcoming exams. Your kid’s leisure becomes more important than his studies.
You want your son to have a phone so that you can get in touch when he’s away. But your son insists on buying the new and expensive play station. Although you strongly feel that your kid needs phone rather than splurging on the play station, you succumb to your kid’s unreasonable demands and buy him a play station.
Guidelines to Follow in Permissive Parenting
Improving or adopting better parenting skills will assist you in dealing with your children in the right way and they will become a better person. You may adopt the following measures or guidelines in your permissive parenting style to avail optimum benefits out of it:
1. Try to Be Consistent and Firm
Though you may find it challenging to be firm and consistent with your kid, but adopt this approach gradually and in a loving manner with your child. You can tell your child the importance and value of adhering to rules and regulations and also about the consequences or ill-effects of not following the rules. The proper reasoning for simple things will go a long way and help your parenting style.
2. Explain Family and Ground Rules
It is very important that you inculcate the importance of following rules in your kid. Your kid has to know that there is no easy way to get things; he has to follow the rules and stick to them. It is also important that you let your kid know that you expect him to follow all the family rules. Refrain from exercising any kind of leverage to the rules. Children learn by example, and thus the best way to teach them is by doing it yourself.
3. Explain the Consequences
Not only kids, but we also find it difficult to keep up with the rules and regulations. But it is important for your kid to understand that in the absence of rules the life would be nothing but a haphazard mess. You have to explain to your kid the repercussions of not following rules. It is important that in order to have your rules in place you tell your kid the consequences he may have to bear in case he breaks the rules. You may set some simple consequences or punishments for breaking small rules and at the same time serious consequences for serious faults.
4. Reward When Required
We all like a pat on the back whenever we do something remarkable. Therefore, it is important that you encourage, praise and, reward your child as and when it is required instead of rewarding or spoiling your kid all the time. Unnecessary rewards not only go unnoticed but they are also not valued by your kid. Rewarding your kid at the right time for the right thing not only makes your kid happier but it also helps in boosting his motivation level and morale.
Make your children responsible and let them understand the importance of following rules in life, so they are better prepared to face bigger challenges in life and turn out to be responsible citizens. Read more
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Famous and Interesting Facts About Egypt for Kids
The Arab Republic of Egypt is quite a large country belonging to northern Africa. It is so large that the land area of Egypt is three times larger than USA/New Mexico. Egypt is interestingly placed on the world map. It is because Egypt is a transcontinental country. It spans two continents, namely Africa and Asia. A land bridge in Egypt connects the two continents, called the Sinai Peninsula. Continent-wise, this peninsula lies in Asia.
Egypt is a Mediterranean country since the Mediterranean Sea lies to its north. Its capital city is Cairo. Towards the northeast border lies Israel and Gaza Strip (Palestine). The Red Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba lie to the east, Libya towards the west, and Sudan towards the south of it. Egypt’s longest border is shared with Sudan. The world's longest river, the Nile, enters the Mediterranean Sea to the north of Cairo. The Nile has been of utmost importance to Egypt in the past. It won’t be wrong to say that Egypt would have been a desert without the Nile River. Let us now explore some more fascinating stuff about Egypt.
Ancient Egypt History
To begin with, let us first dive into the history of Egypt and learn some important facts that built this country the way it is today!
Some 8000 years ago, hunters and fishermen were the first to live on River Nile’s bank. They used to grow crops and raise animals here, ultimately building towns and villages. To carry out trade with neighbors, they learned sailing. And hence a civilization was established by 3000 BC.
The upper and lower kingdoms united around 3100 BC under a strong king, later called Pharaoh. The kings in this era built huge temples, pyramids, and other important monuments.
By 1000 BC, Egypt split into small parts with the fall in the kingdom. The stronger neighbors attacked and won over the territory, and Romans took control in 31 BC.
In AD 640, Muslims took control and founded Cairo, the capital.
In the 16th century, Egypt came under Ottoman Turkish Empire.
British took over Egypt in 1882 to command the popular trade route of the Suez Canal.
Egypt won independence in 1952 and took back Suez Canal in 1956.
Egypt and Israel made a peace pact by signing an agreement in 1979.
The capital cities - Thenis, Memphis, Avaris, Tanis, Amarna, Sais, and Alexandria – were ancient Egypt's most important cities. These capitals changed over time.
In 2011, a widespread protest began regarding president Mubarak’s government again, and he resigned and left the capital city. Since then, many democratic elections have taken place, but the military holds a powerful position.
Because of the Nile River, Egypt has been a powerful civilization in the past. The river provided food, water, soil, and transportation to the local people. Great floods each year would make the soil fertile for farming.
Geography of Egypt
We have briefly described the geography of this country in the introduction. Some astonishing facts about the geography of Egypt are:
Egypt is generally divided into two sections; Lower Egypt is the northern part, and Upper Egypt is the southern part. These sections are called this way because the Nile River flows south to north.
Southern Egypt has deserts and low mountains.
Northern Egypt has deserts in the west and the east and wide valleys near the Nile River.
The triangular Nile River Delta lies to the north of Cairo and is full of farms.
The highest mountain is Mount Catherine and is situated on the Sinai Peninsula.
Egypt’s landscape mostly contains deserts and a few oases, and Egypt has a part of the Libyan Desert and the Sahara Desert.
Climate of Egypt
After reading about the geography of Egypt, you must have already figured out that Egypt would be a dry and hot nation. Let us still know some more facts about the climatic conditions of Egypt:
The country experiences a hot and dry climate. Rainfall happens during winter when you can expect a little snowfall on the mountain region of the Sinai Peninsula.
The Libyan Desert and the Sahara Desert are a considerable part of Egypt. Dry and hot winds blow north from the Sahara Desert through Egypt to the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. These are called khamsins. Khamsins produce sandstorms that last for a few days and sometimes destroy crops.
The Sinai Peninsula is the least dry region of Egypt.
Some World Famous Sights in Egypt
The country has a glorious past and exquisite geography. And hence, it has some amazing landmarks which are worth knowing about like:
Cairo: It is the capital and the largest city of Egypt and is home to many remarkable sights and locations. These include the Citadel, the Cairo Tower, and the Egyptian Museum. You can also explore many Islamic buildings like hammams, madrassas, and mosques. The most famous mosque of the city is Sultan Hassan Mosque.
Alexandria: The second largest city of Egypt was founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC and hence the name Alexandria. The lighthouse of Alexandria was once one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Other important sites in the city are the sphinx and the ancient Pompey’s Pillar.
Giza: Giza holds the famous pyramid complex, and it is just a 13km drive from Cairo.
Sharm El Sheik: It is the most famous tourist resort. The resort lies on the Red Sea and has some picturesque diving sites and blissful beaches.
Whale Valley or Wadi Al-Hitan: This site is listed in the UNESCO world heritage site. It is because the fossils once found in this spot hold evidence about the evolution of whales.
Thebes and Luxor: Thebes was once the capital city of Egypt, and the ancient ruins are found here in the city of Luxor. The popular Karnak Temple lies in the Thebes complex, and it contains reconstructed temples and buildings.
Valley of the Kings: It lies near Luxor city. The site holds 64 tombs and chambers. In this location, the kings and the people of noble families during the New Kingdom were buried.
Mount Sinai: In the local language, it is called the Jabal Musa and is located on the Sinai Peninsula, joining Asia and Africa.
Plants and Animals of Egypt
It is always essential to know about the plants and animals of any country that you are studying. So let us know some plants and animal’s facts about Egypt:
Plant Facts
The vegetation is quite variable throughout the country with the scarcity of rain.
The coastal strip of Egypt contains rich vegetation, especially during the Spring season.
You will find small desert plants, thorny shrubs, and herbs on parts of the Sinai Peninsula and the Eastern Desert.
The only tree found throughout the country is the Acacia tree.
Other common trees in Egypt are eucalyptuses, sycamores, and casuarinas.
Since the Nile delta and valley has a good amount of water, you can find date palms here. Other water plants found here are reeds, lotus, and grasses, and grasses found are esparto and bamboo.
Animals Facts
Some extinct animals of the country are giraffes, hippopotamuses, ostriches, and sacred ibises.
You can find crocodiles in the Nile River but only south of the Aswan Dam.
Other widely found animals of the region are donkeys, camels, sheep, horses, goats, mongoose, jackals, hares, rodents, desert lynxes, gazelles, and desert foxes.
An endangered species of the country is the Nubian ibex.
Egypt is also known for its sea life. There are plenty of turtles, Dolphins, sharks, and rays found in the ocean waters. The ocean water holds more than 1200 species of fishes, out of which some fishes are exquisite and vibrant. The Red Sea has 300 species of corals.
There are abundant kinds of birds in Egypt too. The famous ones are eagles, falcons, kites, hoopoes, egrets, and crows.
People and Culture of Egypt
What truly defines a country? It is the people and their culture that define a country. So, let us know the Egyptian culture and people a little better!
People Facts
90% of Egyptians are Muslims. While remaining 10% are Copts which is the oldest branch of Christianity.
The most populous country of the Middle East is Egypt. The most population lives along the bank of the River Nile. Few people live in oases in the desert as well.
Most of the country’s population is Egyptian Arabs.
Culture Facts
The official language of Egypt is Arabic. However, many educated people converse in French and English as well.
You will find great Arabic literature in Egypt.
Dance and music play an important role in Egyptian culture, and belly dance is this country's most famous dance form.
Egypt has some internationally renowned museums which showcase the treasure of ancient Egypt. Some famous museums are the Coptic Museum, Egyptian Museum, and Museum of Modern Art.
The most popular national sport is Football.
You will generally find vegetarian food in Egypt because of the vegetation across the Nile River. Contrarily, the Egyptian coast and Alexandria are known for their seafood.
Food and Drinks of Egyptians
Egyptian food mainly uses fruits and vegetables like zucchini, tomatoes, okra, grapes, eggplants, and dates. It also uses spices like garlic, cumin, and coriander.
Beans, rice, and other grains are widely cultivated and consumed in large quantities.
Pita bread is served with almost all meals.
The most popular meats in the country are lamb and chicken, but they are expensive.
Seafood and fish dishes are found near the Nile River.
Some famous Egyptian dishes are Dukkah, Eish Balad, Molokhia, Kofta, and Kushari.
Government and Economy of Egypt
It would be essential to know how does such a big economy run. So here it is:
Government Facts
Egypt followed monarchy until 1952, and it became a republic after that. Then it became a democratic republic only in 2014.
Egypt has 27 administrative units called governorates. Cairo, Port Said, Alexandria, Luxor, and Suez have governorate status. A governor heads each governorate, and the President appoints every governor.
President is the head of state. They are elected for a 6-year term and can be re-elected one time.
The cabinet ministers are appointed by the President, including the Prime Minister, the head of government.
Economy Facts
Here are some Egypt economic facts:
Egypt is one of the largest natural gas and oil producers in Africa. It exports petroleum and crude oil products, and some other exports include textiles and agricultural products like rice, corn, and wheat. Egypt produces high-quality cotton.
The important trading partners of Egypt are China, the UK, the UAE, and the USA.
The manufacturing industry also contributes to the economy. Egypt manufactures medicines, textiles, food products, garments, cement, paper products, and chemicals of many kinds.
Water transportation plays a vital role in the economy.
The tourism industry also contributes a good amount to the economy. Many visitors come to witness the country’s ancient history and monuments.
Language and Religion of Egyptians
Arabic is the official language of Egypt.
The languages brought by immigrants are Armenian, Greek, Italian, and African.
Foreign languages taught in school are English, German, French and Italian.
The largest Muslims population of the Arab world and the sixth-largest in the world lives in Egypt. Hence Islam is the state religion.
The largest Christian population in North Africa and the Middle East lives in Egypt.
In the past, religion was very crucial to the Egyptians. They had more than 2000 deities. One of the most astonishing facts about Egyptian gods is that they could turn into animals. The same animal could represent a different diety depending on the area, temple, and time frame. The most worshipped gods were Ra, Isis, Osiris, Horus, Seth, Sobek, Bastet, Thoth, and Kheper.
The three religions recognized in Egypt are Islam, Christianity, and Judaism.
Currency of Egypt
The Egyptian Pound (E£) is the official currency of the country.
Facts About Modern Egypt
Following are the notable facts about modern-day Egypt:
Capital: Cairo
Name: Arab Republic of Egypt
Language: Official is Arabic
Government: Presidential Republic
Literacy: 72% population over 15 years of age can read and write
Currency: Egyptian Pound which is equal to 100 Piastres
National Day: 23rd July
Population: 104 million as of 2021
National Symbols: White Lotus (national flower) and Golden eagle (national animal)
National colors: White, red, and black
National Anthem: “Bilady, Bilady, bilady”
Other Fun Facts About Egypt for children
The Pyramid of Khufu at Giza is the largest pyramid of Egypt.
Egypt invented our 365-day calendar.
Cats were considered sacred in ancient Egypt.
Both men and women wore makeup in Egypt. They thought makeup had healing powers, and since it is mainly hot and dry, they used makeup to protect them from the sun.
Moldy bread was used to fight infections.
The Pharaoh generally covered their hair.
Ancient Egypt plays a significant role in the Bible. The people of Israel were kept captive in Egypt for years as slaves, and it was Moses who helped them escape and took them to the promised land.
Many mathematicians and scientists belong to Egypt.
Egyptians invented cosmetics, medicine, ways to construct buildings, plows for farming, toothpaste, and musical instruments.
Egypt was the first civilization to invent writing.
Reading and knowing Egypt is altogether a different experience. You get that ancient-time vibe, along with how smart and intelligent people carved this country into a powerful civilization in the past and how people used the country’s resources wisely to build it into a country that stood out from the rest. We hope the facts collection helps your kids know Egypt in the best possible way!
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Therapeutic Touch - The Healing Power of 'Touch Therapy'
In a world that is dominated by technology, it can get easy to lose touch with our inner selves. We lose our intuitive abilities and get desensitized to the beautiful everyday sensations of nature, our surroundings, and various visual and auditory elements. Therapeutic touch is an ancient Ayurvedic self-massaging technique that connects your body to your spirit.
You become mindful of yourself and eventually, this deep connection evolves into something similar to being one with your soul/body. Your body and mind can do powerful things when tapped into and Snehana essentially dives deep into that.
What is Therapeutic Touch?
Fast forward to the 21st century and we have millions of people being treated with the ancient art of touch therapy. In a nutshell, therapeutic touch involves the art of gently massaging and feeling your skin from top to bottom. You use circular motions and feel your skin, bones, and press gently, with the intention to be healthy and live a mindful life.
During this massaging phase, you could slowly ask your mind questions about any aches or pains or even tune in and listen to your body. If pain makes itself felt, you soothe it by massaging yourself in that area until you get relief. The key takeaway here is you don't just stop after the relief. You harmonize your energy fields by working your whole body with your hands, irrespective of whether the pain goes away or not.
How Does Touch Therapy Work?
Touch therapy works on the belief that humans are energy beings. Essentially, we have energy fields that surround our bodies and are connected with the universe. When there are any imbalances in this field, we end up getting disorders or health illnesses. Some examples of physical pain manifesting from energetic imbalances include back pain, a sprained nerve, hypertensive disorders, poor blood circulation, and fractures. Also, when restoring energetic imbalances, we tend to view the body bilaterally or asymmetrically. If one side of your shoulder has an energetic imbalance while the rest of your body seems fine, you're going to eventually feel it and that's just the way it works.
Benefits and Uses of Touch Therapy
Some of the benefits and uses of touch therapy are-
1. Helps Eliminate Cravings
Do you struggle with overeating, food addictions or have a lack of appetite? Touch therapy will help you deal with these and work towards a healthier you. Many people around the world are using touch therapy for weight loss transformations.
2. Beats Depression
One of the biggest benefits of touch therapy is mental and physical relaxation. Simply setting aside the time to connect with yourself can do wonders for your physical and emotional self.
3. Helps Dementia
A 2009 study published involved 65 test subjects who were home residents diagnosed with dementia. Touch therapy was given to them for 3 weeks after the test subjects were split into three groups. One was given with contact, the second group with sham treatment and the third group was provided with routine healthcare. The group with touch therapy treatment had reduced impulsiveness and forgetfulness compared to the other two.
4. Activates Your Deep Relaxation Response
Just like how your body has a fight-or-flight response when driven by anxiety and panic, it also has a deep relaxation response. Touch therapy triggers this and lets your nerves and tendons relax. Relaxing your muscles and organs also means you'll release stress and any negative blockages which may eventually develop into health problems later in life.
5. Balances Your Energy Fields
Humans are said to be magnetic beings. Have you ever wanted to open your third eye or increase your intuition? This is possible when you feel a sense of connectedness with the universe. And that starts with balancing your energy fields which touch therapy does.
6. Provides Pain Relief
If you're suffering from chronic illnesses or any incurable diseases, then touch therapy helps alleviate some of that pain. It helps patients relax, and let go.
7. Promotes Deep Healing
Sometimes you have energy blockages which manifest into physical health issues when left unchecked. Touch therapy tackles these areas in a way that they're fixed even before they manifest. This means any possible health complications which have gone undetected by medical diagnosis in the early stages can be addressed.
8. Balances Your Emotions
Have you ever wanted to feel emotionally healthy? Ever wondered why you're gloomy or constantly negative? Touch therapy will help you unlock your subconscious mind and clear it from negativity and self-doubt. This translates to you being a healthier and happier version of yourself down the line. And who wouldn't want that?
9. Gives You Restful Sleep
A session of touch therapy before going to bed is exactly what you need to beat insomnia and get restful sleep. You will find yourself waking up feeling refreshed, energized, and vitalized to face the day.
10. Works on Animals Too
The benefits of touch therapy are applicable to more than just humans. If you have any pets in the house who are facing discomfort, be it physical or mental - try touch therapy.
Does Touch Therapy Help You Connect with Yourself?
Yes. Touch therapy helps you connect with yourself. When you first start practising touch therapy techniques, you will inculcate the habit of connecting mindfully to your surroundings. What this means is that you'll become more aware and your consciousness will expand. You will notice the vibrant colours in your surroundings, hear noises you couldn't hear before in the background, and really know what it feels to touch things with your skin and feel the textures. It's a relaxing sensory experience that offers you a host of health benefits. The Snehana technique follows this self-realization of touch to become aware of your body and connect with yourself.
Steps to Do Snehana at Home
Here are the steps on how to do Snehana at home:
To do Snehana, you need a quiet spot in your home. A nature backdrop works and if you have a lawn to relax and let loose, that's great too. Pick a spot where nobody will disturb you and you get an uninterrupted block of time.
Start by getting some sesame or plant-based oil (like olive oil) and gently apply it to your hands and skin. Begin by massaging from the top of your head to the arms, shoulders, and down your body. Use gentle circular motions and don't go fast when stimulating these touch therapy points.
When covering the chest, be gentle and never work from bottom to top since it places a strain on your heart and taxes your organs.
The order in which you do touch therapy massage does not matter as long as you massage in the same rhythm and motions.
Just make sure you cover your whole body
Take your time and enjoy the relaxing sensation.
Breathe mindfully throughout the process and when you're done, get up and go for a bath to end your relaxing moment on a good note.
You can even practice touch therapy for couples to rekindle your physical intimacy and foster a deeper bond of love.
FAQs
Here are a few common frequently asked questions by our readers. We answer how touch therapy makes a difference, how it compares to Reiki and much more below.
1. When Can Touch Therapy be Helpful?
You can incorporate touch therapy time as a daily healthy routine or for treating a disease or for pain relief from chronic conditions.
2. Is Therapeutic Touch Different From Healing Touch?
The two have a slight distinction. Although both work with the energy field, therapeutic touch stimulates the natural healing ability in the body, while the healing touch alters and enhances the energy field of the individual to speed up the healing process.
3. Does Connecting with 'Self' Require Special Skills?
No, it doesn't. The only special skill you need is blocking out some time for the practice. Really, that's it. Everybody has the ability to connect to themselves and feel their spiritual side. And touch therapy helps you make that connection and foster it. It's an absolutely natural process and doesn't require special training, diet, or remedies - it's as natural as breathing.
4. Is Therapeutic Touch the Same as Reiki?
No, it isn't. There are some distinct differences between the two. No attunement is needed for applying healing touch practices on the body. The concept behind healing touch is to transfer life energy and kickstart the healing mechanism. In the case of Reiki, we deal with building up, storing, and using chi (life force energy) to remove blockages. You could think of healing touch as energy medicine that works from outside to the inside, with the inside fostering deep healing capabilities over time. Whereas, in the case of Reiki, it's more about building up your healing mechanism from the inside by gathering and circulating chi. If you combine Reiki and Healing Touch together in your energy medicine therapies, you're bound to experience fantastic results which many people across the globe swear by, despite insufficient medical investigations and data-backed evidence.
Although therapeutic touch works for many, sometimes the results won't be immediate. You will feel a relaxation response though and just have to give it enough time to work. With enough time and a consistent ritual, you'll notice your emotions becoming healthier, feel lighter, and slowly notice any physical illnesses which aren't life-threatening repair or melt away. Another way to fast track results is to watch what you eat as diet also plays a part in energy medicine and various physical therapies.
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These 7 Tips Will Help Your Child Survive Maths - Whether They Love it or Hate it!
Math is one subject that your child will have to deal with throughout her learning years, whether she likes it or not! There is no escaping it unless she is in a school that allows her to pick her own subjects after a point. Either way, most schools will include math as a compulsory subject at least in the first 4 years of schooling.
Most of us have had a rough time with this subject when we were young, and you might have seen your child struggling too! This might have led you to believe that acing in math is an inborn skill. But think again! With some effort, the right strategies and lots of fun, your child might be able to do a little more than just surviving math! Voila!
7 Tips That Will Help Your Child Survive Math
When regular classes, coaching classes, and constant revision don’t seem to pay off, then you have no option but to look for some out-of-the-box ways to help your child succeed in math. Stick to these seven key pointers to ensure that your child gets through the subject with some ease.
1. Clear the Concepts
Remember this general rule of thumb - if your child does not get the basics, no amount of effort is going to make math easy for her. Before diving deep into complex problems, ensure that your child knows and understands the basics of math. Don’t force your child to solve what is hard for her to understand. Instead, encourage her to ask questions and get her doubts cleared. Once you break down the concept for her, she’ll find her way through the problem. That’s another thing to keep in mind - get her to ask questions and make sure you don’t leave any unanswered!
2. Make It Fun
Math can be boring, especially for a child who is barely crawling through the subject. If you want her to succeed, you have to make it fun for her. Make use of puzzles and board games and introduce fun math angles to them. Complicated concepts like density, volume and weight can be simplified during bath time. When it comes to homework, simple rewards can turn out to be grand motivators. Give your child something she likes for every answer she gets right, and soon enough, not only will you see progress in her performance, but you’ll notice her taking more of an interest in the subject.
3. Use Real-World Examples
Math is all around you; you need only bring it to your child’s attention. When your child is off books and homework, introduce math to her in unexpected ways. For example, while shopping, challenge her to tally the total before the cashier does, or ask her to calculate the total bill at the restaurant, and subtract that from the amount paid, to figure out how much change should be received. In the case of older children struggling with geometry and algebra; you can give your child the distance between two areas, and ask her to calculate the total time needed to travel that distance. Of course, you’ll have to do some groundwork to come up with real-world examples.
4. Find a Math Buddy
If your child is struggling with math despite your best efforts, then you should consider setting her up with a friend who is more inclined to do well in Math. The idea is not to compare the two, but to give your child a buddy that can help her learn. Your child might not always like to seek help from the teacher, for various reasons, but it’s easier to approach a friend when she feels like her doubts are “silly”.
5. Lean on Technology for Revision
When your child has had enough of books, and endless amounts of homework don’t seem to make a difference to her grades, then let technology slip in. Numerous apps like Meritnation and BYJU's are available online, that are specially designed to help kids understand maths and various other subjects. There are a few sites that set up mock tests, where your child can go and solve problems and get instant results with solutions. Also, technology will make it a lot easier for your child to understand graphs, charts, pie diagrams and other calculations. Sign up to these apps and let your child brush up on her mathematical skills via technology.
6. Stay Updated
Math will become a lot easier for your child once you become her second teacher. But for that, you’ll have to brush up on your own math skills first. It’s essential to stay updated and know the academic standards that your child is expected to meet in every grade. Only when you know the subject in and out, will you be able to help her with concepts that she doesn’t understand. The best way to keep yourself updated is by running through your child’s syllabus at the very beginning of the year and familiarising yourself with it. If you’re having a hard time understanding it, turn to YouTube or someone in your close circle who is actually good at math. This way, you’ll be ready with the solutions even before your child comes to you with a problem.
7. Encourage, Don’t Overdo it!
Problem-solving is an essential life skill, something that your child will have to do even after she is done stressing over math grades. So even when you’re helping your child, make sure you don’t spoon-feed her. Assist her wherever required, but let her find her way through the subject. There will be times when she will make mistakes. Let her! This way, she’ll learn from her mistakes and remember them the next time a similar problem comes up.
So there you have it - some tips to help make math easier for your child. Remember, every child’s mind works differently, and no two children can be good at the same thing. Don’t force the subject on your child if she is resisting it. Help her understand that in order to get through school, math is essential, and lovingly guide her through it. After all, parenting means standing by your kids through both, successes and failures!
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Expecting Mom due in 4 months
5 hours ago
Q. hello everyone, please suggest me, am getting pain in lower abdomen right side, anybody plz tell me why am getting pain pls
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
5 hours ago
A. this needs proper examination to find out problems like appendicitis. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
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Expecting Mom due in 2 months
4 hours ago
Q. hi mam for 2days I am seeing my baby bumb decreasing is it cause of worry?
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 8 m old girl
4 hours ago
A. I don’t know how the bumps of your child decreasing that’s not fair to me second you have not mentioned the current age of your child to do it and there is no clarity in the query it would be difficult for me to help us so if you don’t mind can you please repost with all the necessary details associated with your question
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Trying To Conceive
3 hours ago
Q. Hello I had my period missed for April month and today I got my period. Is it normal to have period after 1 month or is there anything I should be worried about? Iam worried please let me know if that's ok or should I consult my doctor
Read moreDr Ghouse
Paediatrician
3 hours ago
A. consult your doctor for any evaluation required. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
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Guardian of 0 children
2 hours ago
Q. hllo am in 34 week of pregnancy,cramps in my hand and foots,my pulses is very fast,i feel tiredness internally,are these symptoms are normal
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
2 hours ago
A. get investigations particularly hemoglobin level. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
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Guardian of 0 children
2 hours ago
Q. i feel some fever internally also
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
2 hours ago
A. please check the temperature and get the investigations. fever can be because of different reasons most of the times viral bacterial sometimes due to less immunity there can be recurrence better to treat only with paracetamol if the fever more than 100degr
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Guardian of 0 children
1 hour ago
Q. Now I am having pain till then my miscarriage has been done at home
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 8 m old girl
1 hour ago
A. I’m sorry I’m unable to understand your query as you haven’t given any detail about it so whatever the situation is you should get a check with your gynaecologist the doctor would be able to give you better help in whatever treatment of precaution you need to require further
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