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Advantages and Disadvantages of Boarding School
As your child progresses in age and development, you might be thinking of all the schooling options available. Just getting any education is no longer option; in today’s world, we are all searching for a comprehensive learning environment that looks after not just academic excellence but all around development that is holistic and inclusive.
Is Boarding School Good Or Bad?
Unlike traditional schools, boarding schools for children have the pupils live on campus. They have their classes together, meals together, and live in common housing. Children go home during the summer holidays, between grades, and some schools even allow children to go home on the weekends. As with other schools, you must look at what option will suit your child. There is no way to make a broad conclusion as to whether boarding schools are good or bad. Each child is an individual with individual needs and each school has a different mission statement and vision. The trick is to find a school that matches your child’s temperament and needs.
Advantages of Sending Your Kid to a Boarding School
There are numerous advantages to sending your child to a boarding school, some of them surprising. Here are some of these advantages.
Independence and Self-reliance: Almost all boarding school children find that they are more independent and self-reliant than their other peers. They have to solve daily problems themselves, like organising for soap when they run out or making sure that their school uniforms are washed and ironed.
Confidence: As the children begin to do things, small and big, on their own, they will start building up more confidence in their own abilities. Boarding schools expose children to many activities like social service, art, drama, and carpentry amongst others. As they begin to find what they like and are good at, children will develop more confidence.
Discipline: Boarding students live a more regimented life than their peers. Meal times are set as is study time. If they are allowed to watch TV, it is also closely regulated. Learning discipline is important for children as it will help them achieve their goals.
Standard Living: All the students will live in the same quarters and some schools even stipulate that a child must receive only a certain amount as allowance. This puts all the students on an equal footing and strips away the unnecessary trials of status and ownership.
Social Confidence: As your children mingle, study, and live with hundreds of other children, they will soon learn how to transcend differences. Making and being a part of a group is at the core of living in a boarding school, and most pupils of these schools emerge as healthy social beings.
Educational Excellence: Since the children live on the campus, they can reach out for help with their studies at any given time. Boarding schools can help set up after-school prep for students who struggle with certain concepts. Studying with peers means that the pupils will always have someone to learn from.
Holistic Development: After school, students of boarding schools are exposed to a multitude of activities that will ensure that they have a rounded education that includes the arts. Since it is school mandated, there can be no issue of a hobby coming in the way of studies and children can pursue their passion.
Disadvantages of Sending Your Kid to a Boarding School
While there are many advantages to learning in a boarding school there are certain disadvantages that you must keep in mind if thinking of sending your child to such a school.
Homesickness: While boarding schools are full of kids who have a lot of things in common, there is no denying that a child will still feel homesick for his family and home.
Empty Nest: You too might find that the separation from your child is emotionally too difficult.
Blending In: Boarding school is full of children and it isn’t necessary that your child will fit in. While some children immediately find themselves some friends, certain children will have a tougher time.
Adjusting: Some children do not take to the regimented life of boarding school and would much rather be the master of their free time. These children might also find it hard to reconnect with the family after spending so many months away.
Gender Separation: Most boarding schools are either boys-only or girls-only. However, in today’s age, it is extremely important for children to be a part of co-ed institutions.
Other Risks: Some other risks include bullying which can be especially hard to weed out in boarding schools where children spend most of their time together.
Academic Pressure: With regular schools, children can leave the school and remove themselves from the pressure of excelling at studies. However, in a boarding school, the pressure is constant.
Only the extracurricular activities provided by the school are given any importance or attention. If your child has any special talents, this will not be given the attention it needs to flourish.
What Care should be Taken if you Send your Child to Hostel?
If you have decided to send your child to a boarding school, then here are a few things that you must take care of before sending them off.
You must take the time to explain to your child why you think sending him to a boarding school is good for him. Be sure to assure him that you are not abandoning him.
Even though your child will be spending almost all his time at the school, you still should keep tabs on his classroom performance. Keep in touch with all the teachers and follow up on your child’s progress.
Trust your child. If he is telling you worrying stories about the school and the students, then take his concerns seriously. If the story is negative, then the school might try to downplay the seriousness of the issue.
Do not send your child to boarding school before the age of 9. Most experts agree that this is the ideal age for boarding school.
Keep a watch out for any signs of unhappiness. Your child might not be forthcoming about how he really feels at school for fear of disappointing you.
Be sure to talk to the management about any special needs that your child might need.
There are many pros and cons of boarding school. The decision to send your child to a boarding school will entirely depend on the nature and needs of your child as well as the particular boarding school in question. Do your due diligence and reach out to other parents whose children go the school you are researching.
Also Read: How to Build Confidence in Kids Read more
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Baby Crawling Backwards - Do You Need to Worry?
When your little one starts crawling for the first time, your happiness knows no bounds. Crawling is a major development milestone and if your baby is not crawling in the right manner or at all, as parents, you will obviously worry. If your baby is crawling using a single leg, or if he crawls backwards, then no doubt you will think there is something wrong with your child.
When Does a Baby Start Crawling
Not all babies will crawl at the same time. Babies start crawling at different times. Some may begin to crawl when they are just about 7 months old, while others may take close to a year to begin any kind of movement. Their styles of crawling may vary as well. Some babies slide their entire body along the floor at times or combine crawling with rolling their body around. Some crawl a bit and sit and crawl a bit and sit again. Therefore, if you are imagining there is an ideal crawling style your kid will adhere to, then you should know that he may not follow the ideals.
Is It Normal for a Baby to Crawl Backwards
With all these unique and strange styles of moving around that babies seem to adopt, your kid might be one of those who has learnt to crawl backwards. Since crawling backwards is not common, hence you may get worried. But put your mind to rest, as it is not a sign of any disorder as such. Many kids tend to crawl in such a manner before understanding the proper way of doing it. But with time, your child will learn to crawl the right way.
Why Do Babies Crawl Backwards
Many doctors and paediatricians focus on the crawling aspect of a child. This is the stage when a baby starts getting aware of how his limbs function and how to use them together in coordination. The aspect of crawling is a strong sign of a baby’s motor skills being developed in the appropriate manner. But it isn’t as simple as it seems as the baby takes his own time in putting it all together. And this could result in a backward crawling style. Here are some possible reasons why a baby may start crawling backwards:
As your baby grows, you might have observed him using his arms a lot more as he learnt to support himself. This dependency on his arms tends to result in a crawling style that makes use of the arms the most. This strength of the arms manifests in the form of pushing instead of pulling ahead, which results in a backward movement.
Many mothers do undertake the exercises of letting their baby rest on the tummy and encouraging them to use his arms to lift himself up as well as support his neck. This ends up in the upper body developing the strength that’s needed and the baby knows that as well. Therefore, the initial crawling generally starts depending a lot on the upper body instead of the legs.
Since all the strength is primarily focused on the upper part of the torso, your baby might need some time to understand the mechanics of crawling and start pushing his body ahead with his legs. The backward movement might be quite good as well, getting him to reach the point he wants to. But sooner or later, he might realise the necessity and benefits of crawling forward as his legs start getting stronger.
How to Help Your Infant Crawl Forward
Most babies learn to crawl forward by themselves or sometimes they may directly switch to walking. But if you want to help your baby learn the right way of crawling, there are a few indirect ways you can try.
Turn It Into a Game
Play a game of catch and chase with your child as you spend time with him. When the baby attempts to crawl away speedily from you or comes to catch you, he will realise the necessity of using his legs and may attempt to crawl forward.
Exercise the Right Way
Babies function a lot on muscle memory. Which is why, once they start learning to crawl backwards, they will continue to do so. Therefore, every time you place your baby down and play with him, use his arms and legs to teach him the right way to crawl to give him a hint.
Repeat the Tummy Time
Remember those exercises you would put your baby through in the initial months of his life? Repeat them again and try to show him how to use the legs properly to support his body as well.
Use Toys
Guide your baby’s attention with some toys that make noise. If not the noise, the sight of the toy could make him want to grab it and learn how to push himself forward to get it.
Use Temptations
Avoid doing this if your baby is extremely hungry. But just before his feeding time or by using his teething biscuits, you can place them before him and ask him to grab it. He will realize the limitations of moving backwards and figure out ways to push himself ahead.
Resist and Push
Do not come in the way when you baby is crawling. However, you can place your hand behind your baby’s feet or his bum to act as a resistance. When your baby attempts to crawl, he might end up moving forward, surprising himself and giving him the hint to move forward.
Let Them Watch and Learn
Babies learn a lot by observing their parents. If your baby is sitting upright and playing with his toys, get down on your fours and crawl in front of him. Crawl forward and backwards so that he knows there is more than one way to do it.
Learning to crawl is not an easy thing for a baby. Once you know how to make your baby crawl forward, you might meet some resistance, crying, and frustration on your baby’s part since he has to relearn the entire process. Don’t force it on him and let him figure it out on his own, or skip ahead to walking if he feels like it.
Also Read: Rolling Over: Developmental Milestone in Infants Read more
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Toddler Meals That Promote Family Bonding
The benefits of eating family meals with toddlers are manifold. From helping your child learn table manners, quit picky eating habits, to bonding with the family, there is much that can happen at the dining table.
Eating together as one family has a world of benefits. Although knowing what to serve is another ball game altogether. So you don't draw a blank thinking what can possibly appeal to both your kids and your husband, here are a few family meal plans worth a try. From pizza to chapati rolls, these meal ideas will keep all tummies healthy and visibly happy.
Family Meal Ideas for Toddlers
1. Vegetable Broth with Boiled Pasta
A hearty choice on a chilly night, this meal idea is quick and quite a win on the table overall. Just dice all the seasonal vegetables together (omit the ones the family isn't too zealous about) and put ithem in a pan of boiling water. Add salt, basil, and a bit of butter. Once boiled, blend the mixture together. On the side, boil animal shaped pasta. Now add a generous helping of this pasta in the soup bowl and watch the family eat it together. Encourage the child to pick the soup spoon and eat from it. Decipher the name of the animal as you eat with him.
2. French Toast
Want to teach your baby a bit about the fork and knife business over a Sunday breakfast? This simple and yum recipe is filling and one of the family meals toddlers will eat. Crack eggs in a bowl, whip it with a bit a honey, cinnamon and salt. Dip the toast in the mixture and cook it on a pan. Pour some maple syrup and cut the toast into finger slices for your baby. Playfully show him how to hold a knife first, fork later.
3. Potatoes Cheese Mash
This has to be one of the most toddler friendly family meals. Mash boiled potatoes, cheddar cheese, salt, butter and milk together. Drizzle a bit of black pepper. Microwave the mixture for a little over a minute and it's done. Serve this in a tiny ramekin to your tot. The grown-ups can eat it from their bowls with a side of garlic bread and grilled bacon. Teach your child to hold a spoon and scoop the mash onto the spoon. Clap in unison when your child gets it right the first time.
4. Tomatoes and Chicken Rice
If your toddler hates veggies but loves his chicken, this recipe is right up your alley. Add boiled veggies to cooked rice. Now garnish the dish with a heavenly dollop of homemade chicken curry sautéed in butter and tomato puree. Serve this in a deep bowl to your child and let everyone at the table smile and talk about how delicious it tastes. Seeing your joy of eating the dish at the table will make your child eat without a fuss.
When it comes to planning family meals with toddlers, you are his biggest role model. After all, toddlers are visual and most times they learn by example. Read more
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Breastfeeding Tips for New Moms
As a new mother, it's natural to be disturbed by the sudden changes that have happened. Be it the sleepless nights, depression, nappy changes, crying baby, breastfeeding every 2 hours, difficulty in breastfeeding, they take a toll on your physical and mental health..
Not every baby is skilled at latching on to his mother's breast correctly. Some take time, while some don’t latch at all due to their mothers' inverted nipples, or because their mothers don't know how to help the baby latch. By the time mothers figure out the reason, giving formula or expressed milk in a bottle would have become inevitable.
The first thing to do when there you have difficulty in breastfeeding is to consult a lactation specialist. She can help you understand the reason for not being able to breastfeed or provide a good latch.
Secondly, make sure your baby is held in a comfortable position during breastfeeding. Use the nursing chair having backrest so that you get enough support while breastfeeding.
Have a glass of warm water before nursing and massage your breasts gently prior to feeding so that it stimulates them.
Pump the milk in case your baby does not feed. Milk can be expressed by hand or by using a pumping machine. This method should be temporary only be used for a short time.
Talk and smile at your baby while breastfeeding. This helps to strengthen the bond and eventually lets the milk flow.
Make sure the milk flow is not too fast as it can choke the baby. Hold onto your breasts so that you can control the milk supply.
Always maintain hygiene before and after feeding.
I hope my article has helped you if you're experiencing difficulty in breastfeeding.
Disclaimer: The views, opinions and positions (including content in any form) expressed within this post are those of the author alone. The accuracy, completeness and validity of any statements made within this article are not guaranteed. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions or representations. The responsibility for intellectual property rights of this content rests with the author and any liability with regards to infringement of intellectual property rights remains with him/her. Read more
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Right eating habits - 5 ways to inculcate right eating habits in kids
Having kids is a blessing and parenting indeed is a heculean task . It is rightly said by someone , " if you have never been hated by your children , you have never been a parent" . Most of us struggle these days to inculcate right eating habits in our kids . Our eating habits have drastically changed over a decade in this fast paced life , junk processed food have surely made their way through our lives with swiggy and zomato delivering food at our doorsteps in just a click..So how to teach your kids benefits of healthy eating , here are few tricks and tips for the same ..
LEAD BY EXAMPLE
kids learn what they observe , so be the role model for your kids . When at home snack on fruits , roasted gram , puffed rice instead of biscuits , wafers and doughnuts.. While you eat healthy offer your kids as well , soon it will become their habit
INVOLVE IN COOKING
Yes it is difficult in present day when you actually have to make time for meal , but trust me atleast twice a week cook as a family , be it a small meal like sunday breakfast or evening soup ...involving kids in kitchen will make them curious about different dishes and ingredients and they will soon develop interest in food then just considering it a task to finish
EAT AS A FAMILY
have you heard " a family who eats togather stays togather " , try to bond with your kids over food , make sure to have atleast one meal in a day as a family. Your kids will soon look forward to spend this happy hour with you and food as well...
HAVE CHEAT DAYS
Restictions to certain level is good , but if you try to over impose it on your child they will either turn rebel or lie to you , so striking a balance is must .. have cheat days in a month or a week and order their favourite food so they dont have the void of not getting to eat the junk at all ,and binge eat it whenever they get an opportunity to do so.
EVERYBODY GETS TO EAT SAME FOOD
Prefer preparing same meal for everyone , if you put across your choices , kids will also do some day ...make a rule in the house that everyone will eat whatever is being cooked , so they dont reject various food groups quoting they dont like it
KNOW YOUR FOOD
Always tell kids about the food they have on their plate , tell them health benefits of various food groups ...I have come across many parents who try to feed their children certain food like spinach carrot etc in a way that they dont get to know about it , its possible to feed them temporarily like this , but they permanently will be under impression that these things dont taste good and will never eat in their free will . Its important for your kids to learn about what they are eating and develop taste for same.. Read more
Abhaya Rajput has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
14 hours ago
Q. My breasts feel full and heavy, but there’s no milk when pumping and during feeding baby —what do I do?
Abhaya Rajput
Mom of a 14 yr 4 m old boy
7 hours ago
A. Hello there ma’am please do not worry about it too much. But it is really very difficult to say anything without proper examination. It is advisable to get yourself evaluated by a doctor and follow doctors advise properly. You can also book online doctor’s appointment on FirstCry where the doctor can help you and guide you properly.
Thanks and take care
Dr Disha Patel has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 6 months
13 hours ago
Q. can I take medicine pcm n citrazene in pregnancy fir sore throats n fever
Dr Disha Patel
Ayurvedic Physician
8 hours ago
A. dear mom.
better to take tab pcm for time being n do take steam inhakation couple of tines a day, follpw good home renedies for cold, taje more rest .
Swati Kar Samanta has added a new answer
Mom of a 9 m old child
7 hours ago
Q. hi everyone good morning,
sorghum can I give to my 10 month baby is it safe or not please revert I waiting for your reply
Swati Kar Samanta
Mom of a 2 m old girl
5 hours ago
A. Yes but first give in very small quantity to judge the reaction of your baby.
Rashmi has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
5 hours ago
Q. #asktheexperts is it okay that the baby is kicking less than usual?
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
4 hours ago
A. Yes it is the what part is that your child is kicking if you feel that there is a movement of your child whether it is a cake or slight movement also you know that your child is doing fine so there is no problem in that if the movement is less it’s completely alright
Dr Sameer awadhiya has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
4 hours ago
Q. #asktheexperts what to do if the baby’s nose is blovked
Dr Sameer awadhiya
Paediatrician
4 hours ago
A. Nasal blockage is very common, specially in small children because of the narrow nasal cavity. Any kind of saline drops like nasal clear will be helpful in dissolving the stuffy secretions, which can be taken out by vnasal aspirator gently also steam inhalation will be helpful also, try to avoid keeping the child directly under the fan.
Rashmi has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
1 hour ago
Q. hi
need help and advice
my RT 18x16mm and LT 10x16mm ET 6.59
and did ovulation rest also showing fertility test C as if now , pls advice if we intercourse tomorrow then when will be my ovulation start.
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
37 mins ago
A. You can check with an ovulation kit if it is positive then you can certainly go ahead with the conception because ovulation kit is going to give you 100% clarity whether you are ovulating or not with that you can try practising if you can conceive the same time
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