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How to Improve Your Child's Handwriting
Although the learning techniques in classrooms have changed over the decades, old-fashioned writing is still an important skill that students need to learn to do their assignments and homework. Good handwriting ensures better scores in exams as the answers are more legible. Even in the digital-keyboard age, chirography is still an important mode of expression and communication. Continue reading for some handwriting tips for students that can help them write better.
9 Effective Tips on How to Improve Handwriting for Kids
Here are some effective tips to improve handwriting for kids:
1. Recognize the Problem
Before you can formulate a plan to improve your child’s handwriting, figure out what it is that is causing them to write badly. It could be a whole list starting with the improper posture of sitting, improper holding of the pencil, poor hand-to eye-co-ordination or medical problems such as ADD or ADHD that stops them from sitting still. If it is a medical problem, they need to be treated for it first before getting down improving their handwriting.
2. Build Motor Skills
Writing is primarily fine control of the muscle in the hands and arm, which in turn, control the wrist and fingers. Activities and games involving fine movement such as stringing beads, games with rice, beans and other small objects build motor skills in the children. Finer control of the muscles helps them to grip their pencil better and move it accurately to write words. Activities such as finger painting are also a great exercise to hone motor skills.
3. Ensure the Pencil is Grasped Correctly
Getting a good grip on the pencil is equally important to learn how to write well. This needs to be taught in their early formative years so that their handwriting improves steadily over time. Here are some tips to hold the pencil properly:
The pencil should be held firmly but not too tight. As they get better, they can learn to relax and grip the pencil more gently.
A good way to steady the pencil is to hold it with the thumb and the index finger while it rests on the middle finger below.
The pencil should be held in such a way that it rests on the bridge between the thumb and the index finger.
A pencil grip can be used to improve the grip.
4. Relax the Pressure and Grip
Observe them as they write. If you see that they are gripping the pencil too tightly, tell them to relax a little bit. A tight grip puts pressure on the fingers and tires them out leading to pain; it also cramps out their muscles making their handwriting sloppy. How much pressure they put into words also contributes to this. If you notice impressions on the following pages of the book, they are bearing down too hard on their pencil.
5. Practice Writing Aalphabets and Words
Good handwriting constitutes getting the proportions of letters right. Children need to know how to manage the size of capital and lower-case letters. This can be done using four-line practice books in the beginning and then followed by two-line books as they get better. Give them more writing exercises for alphabets that they write poorly so they can learn to write better.
6. Go Slow and Do Not Pressurize Them
It helps to take it slow and steady in the beginning to get their handwriting good. Let the child write at a pace they are comfortable with and do not rush them to write faster. It takes time to build the muscle memory to write well and write fast, so do not pressurize them into improving faster. They cannot get better overnight, so scolding them isn’t productive. If they feel stressed, they may not enjoy the activity or get worse at it eventually. Appreciating their efforts and incremental improvements, on the other hand, encourages them to do better.
7. Offer a Favourable Environment
Let the kids write in a proper seated position where they are able to freely move their arms and shoulders. Writing should always be practised in a sitting position on a proper study table. They should not write lying down or sit on a couch while watching TV. Also, increase their reading time. Giving them books with neatly printed letters in a good font can inspire them to write better.
8. Provide Good Writing Tools
Part of teaching kids handwriting is offering them good writing tools. Some of them are as follows:
A good lined paper that takes the pencil score well is important. The quality of the paper determines how well they can write on it. The surface must offer good friction to write on and handle it without too much indentation or tearing.
The right-sized pencil is a must. Some kids may not be comfortable holding jumbo sized ones, therefore, try golf pencils that are smaller and easier to grip. Also, observe what quality of the lead your child is comfortable with. Leads such as HB are medium ranged, and 2B is softer.
Pencil grip can be used to aid them to hold the pencil firmly as they write.
9. Make It Fun
Since the practice of chirography can be boring for children, adding a little fun can make them more enthusiastic about writing. Here are a few tips:
Get them fun accessories that they like such as coloured pencils, brightly coloured books that look attractive, or pencil toppers.
Play drawing games that teach them proper grip and coordination while building dexterity and posture.
Making lists such as what you need to buy for shopping, places you need to visit or the names of friends they want to invite to their birthday party is a good way to encourage them to write.
With practice and persistence, good handwriting can be honed in children over time.
Also Read - 10 Effective Tips To Teach Kids How To Write Read more
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Are You Happy? Understanding Happiness from a New Mother's Point of View
Becoming a mother is probably the happiest feeling in the world. When you see your baby for the first time in the delivery room, your eyes fill up with tears of happiness and the satisfaction that you finally did it and your baby has arrived! It feels amazing that you have given birth to a baby who will become a person in the future and people will recognise you as his or her mother. All that you imagined during your pregnancy - the qualities and characteristics and how your baby will look - can finally be seen right in front of you. And then, as soon as you realise who or what kind of a person you want him or her to become, a whole gamut of thoughts start running around your head and you enter a vicious world of 'expectations VS reality'.You expect your baby, your spouse, your house and your life to be perfect. And you start pushing yourself harder and harder each day to achieve that until your health starts giving up on you and things start getting out of your hand. All this change and struggle around you makes you feel like a failure and you start experiencing a lack of happiness. You want to enjoy, have fun, have a hearty meal and a lovely evening with your family, but you actually end up just waiting for the day to end. At this point, if someone asks you whether you're happy, you might be in a dilemma as to what to answer them, and you might feel annoyed by the question itself, because your mind says, 'No, you can't be happy, as you have not achieved what you planned for'. But if you ask yourself, your heart says, 'Yes!! Yes...you are happy because you are trying to make it work'. This is because you know that you are giving your best and you know that you can make it happen and because you know that you are enjoying the journey and each and every milestone of the road to nurture your child to become what he can be the best at.And one day, you will see the results of all your efforts and then again you will have tears of happiness in your eyes; when your baby hugs you for the first time or calls out your name, takes his first steps towards you and starts showing his love towards you and many more such things. All the love you gave to your family will come back to you in multiples of millions. You are the only person who can love your kids unconditionally. You have all the reasons to be happy. So go all out and become a child again with your baby. Capture the moments of their childhood. Make imaginary stories with your child. Try new games. Take a nap with them. For these days will pass so soon and soon you will feel no need of anyone asking - are you happy?
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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Is It Possible to Get Pregnant With An IUD?
The Intrauterine device (IUD) has gained popularity over the years among women due to its simplicity and high effectiveness. Placed in the uterine cavity, this device can remain effective in preventing pregnancy for 3 to 10 years depending on the type used. Like all contraceptive devices, they are not 100% effective and rarely do women get pregnant with an IUD in place.
Are There Chances of Getting Pregnant With An IUD?
Although intrauterine devices are one of the most effective forms of birth control, their rate of being effective rate is about 98%. Therefore, there is a narrow margin, and it is observed that the odds of pregnancy with IUD are 3 cases out of 100. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) says that the failure rate of IUDs during the first year of use is less than 1%, the same as sterilisation procedures like “tube tying”. In rare cases where pregnancies do occur, it’s usually caused by the device slipping partly or completely out of place. In fewer cases, the IUD may move and become embedded in the uterus and lose its effectiveness.
Are Signs of Pregnancy With IUD Different from the Usual Signs of Pregnancy?
Unlike the oral contraceptives, IUDs do not cause any changes in the body after it is put in place. Ovulation is not blocked, the endometrium continues to grow, and menstruation continues as normal (although, this depends on the type of IUD, which may cause bleeding to become much lighter or have it reduce altogether). The IUD only offers mechanical protection by not allowing the fertilised egg to implant in the uterine wall. In rare conditions, this protection can fail, and pregnancy proceeds as normal. Early pregnancy symptoms with IUD is the same as a normal pregnancy. These symptoms characterise it:
Delay in menstruation
Morning sickness and dizziness
Increase in the basal body temperature
Feeling tired, drowsy or fatigued
Lower abdominal pain
Loss of appetite in some women, conversely, excessive hunger
What to Do If You Suspect Pregnancy While Having An IUD?
It is not uncommon for women to worry about pregnancy when they are on an IUD. Many experience unusual bleeding for the first few months after the device is inserted. It is then normally followed by periods that are lighter and shorter; some even stop having periods entirely. Therefore, if you suspect that you are pregnant with IUD in place, follow these three steps:
1. Take a Pregnancy Test
If you feel symptoms of pregnancy and need to confirm it, the best way is to take a pregnancy test. A home pregnancy test is reliable. If you’re still in doubt, schedule a blood test for pregnancy with your doctor.
2. Visit Your Doctor
When you become pregnant, especially with an IUD in place, there’s a significant risk of an ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy where the fertilised egg implants outside the uterus). Ectopic pregnancies are emergencies; therefore you need to visit your doctor immediately for a diagnosis.
3. Have the IUD Removed
If your pregnancy is viable and non-ectopic while the IUD is still in place, your doctor may recommend its removal. The doctor or a trained staff does this. It’s important not to try and remove it by yourself, as it is unsafe for the foetus.
Risks of IUD Pregnancy
IUDs are used to prevent pregnancies, so what happens if you get pregnant with an IUD? Here are some of the risks:
1. Miscarriage
A miscarriage is a significant risk when women get pregnant with an IUD. If the IUD is left in place during the pregnancy, the miscarriage rate goes up by 40-50 per cent. Removing it early on reduces the risk; however, it is still higher than normal women who got pregnant without an IUD.
2. Preterm Birth
Leaving the IUD in place during pregnancy also increases the chances of preterm birth along with miscarriage. It is seen that women who have an IUD in place during their pregnancy have five times more chances of giving birth prematurely than women who don’t. Removing the IUD early on lowers the risk of preterm birth.
3. Infection
Susceptibility to chorioamnionitis is high among pregnant women who have IUDs. It is an infection of the membranes surrounding the fetus and the amniotic fluid which can be potentially life-threatening. Removing the IUD early in pregnancy lowers the risk of the infection but does not remove it completely.
4. Placental Abruption
When the placenta separates from the uterine wall either before or during the delivery, it is called placental abruption. There could be a link between having the IUD in place and placental abruption.
5. Hormone Exposure
Hormonal IUDs pose a risk to the foetus as they slowly release progestin into the uterus. The long-term effects on the babies are not fully understood. However, increased risk of congenital disabilities does not appear to be among the risks.
Is There An Instance Where a Doctor May Suggest 'No IUD Removal'?
If you wish to continue your pregnancy, ideally the IUD should be removed. It is done if the strings are visible from the cervix and can be grasped. The pregnancy will then continue without complications, although there are slightly higher chances of miscarriage, infections and preterm labour. When the risk of removing the IUD outweighs the risk of leaving it in place, your doctor would suggest a 'No IUD Removal'. There are instances where women have given birth to healthy babies even with the IUD. It usually so happens that as the baby grows; the IUD gets pushed out, somewhere around the middle of the term.
Tips to Protect Yourself from an Unwanted IUD Pregnancy
When used perfectly, IUDs are very effective at preventing pregnancies. Here are some steps to make sure that an unwanted pregnancy doesn’t occur with the IUD.
1. Visit your Gynaecologist Regularly
Once a year, visit your gynaecologist and have an ultrasound scan of your uterus done. It can reveal any displacement of the IUD or even its loss. These two are the major causes for an unwanted pregnancy when using an IUD.
2. Monitor the IUD Strings
Once a month, you can check if the device is properly in place by feeling for the strings attached to the device. They extend down from the cervix to the top of the vagina and can be felt with your fingers. An increase in their length would mean that the device has been displaced into the cervix. The disappearance of the strings mostly indicates a loss of the IUD. Both of these conditions mandate a visit to the gynaecologist and a pregnancy test if the device is missing.
3. Know the Expiration Date
All IUDs have an expiration date; 3-5 years on an average after which they must be removed or replaced with a new one. When left beyond their time, they may embed themselves into the uterus walls making it difficult to remove and increase the chances of infections.
With proper usage, IUDs are very effective at preventing pregnancy. In the rare event that you do get pregnant with one in place, consult your doctor immediately.
Also Read: Is It Possible to Get Pregnant after IUD Removal? Read more
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Love after marriage-a beautiful journey❤️(arrange marriages and their benefits)
Two persons with completely different lifestyle are being tied up in arrange marriage.❤️ Though some hurdles arise in both love and arrange marriages, arrange marriages are better in my point of view. Since more people are involved in arrange marriage, conflicts between the couple will be effectively mitigated.Moreover an individual's thoughts and space will become more wider.It will be wonderful to surround yourself with lots of new relationships in a completely new atmosphere.The couple's children will get more blessings from elders in their family which is an added advantage.👶Children enjoy their vacations in grandparents home.They come to know about our ancestors and their habituals which pave the way for well matured and loving future.👩🎓👲.In arranged marriage culture will be retained.This gets prior role because each and every rituals and customs are performed only for the well being of couple and their children.👨👩👦👦.In case of an emergency financial risk, couple will be assisted with many people.Since we need the entire family to be connected in arrange marriage , the couple will have to adjust more and more new characters.This make them to develop a compromising capacity within themselves.💏 Some of the life partners will be more caring, some will be highly determined, some will be egoistic.But whatever he/ she might me, traveling throughout the life( nearly 50 years) is not an easy job.When we turn all adversities into challenges life will become more and more interesting. 😀🤗.Instead of blaming each other for weakness , try to appreciate his /her notable good points and also make him/her shine in career.Start encouraging his/ her talents.Sex alone is not the prime importance in life.There are lot many things to be explored and appreciated.On the whole love after marriage is a beautiful challenge to understand his/her life partner and travel throughout their life journey.☺️👪 Read more
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Akifa Tahreem has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 7 months
9 hours ago
Q. hello doctor, I'm 3 weeks pregnant. can we sleep on our belly or which side We can sleep on during pregnancy...
Akifa Tahreem
Mom of a 7 m old boy
7 hours ago
A. no you can't sleep in your tummy
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
6 hours ago
Q. @ask_the_expert
#ask the expert
I am having pcod problem.
when should I check pregnancy test at home?
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
5 hours ago
A. If you have missed your periods you can wait for one week more and then do a urine pregnancy test to know about the pregnancy result and consult with your doctor according to the result for medication
Dr Priyanka Kalra has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
6 hours ago
Q. I am having pcod problem.
At which day should I take pregnancy test
Dr Priyanka Kalra
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
4 hours ago
A. after 2 weeks. do ultrasound n necessary tests after consulting a specialist. without proper check up we can't advise or help you.. Avoid shirt cuts when it comes to health if mother n baby. ok.
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
6 hours ago
Q. I am having pcod problem.
when should I take pregnancy test?
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
5 hours ago
A. after missed your periods you can wait for one week more ,then you can do a urine pregnancy test to know about the pregnancy result and consult with your doctor according to the result for medication
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
6 hours ago
Q. I am having pcod problem.
but having regular cycles below 35 days. some time it will extended upto 40 days.
so when should I take pregnancy test at home?
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
5 hours ago
A. If you have missed your periods you can wait for one week more or else you can do a urine pregnancy test to know about the pregnancy result and consult with your doctor according to the result for medication.
The best treatment to have Regular periods is by having a healthy lifestyle with regular daily walking or jogging along with mild exercise and meditation whenever possible. as medications will only act till you are taking them
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
3 hours ago
Q. Done my first routine blood test ..it shows thyroid border line.its my 6 week running as per USG.
but prior to that my thyroid level was always normal I did check up every year and got it normal .this time it shows borderline high in 6 week pregnancy.
is it something to worry.plz guide
Read moreDr Ghouse
Paediatrician
2 hours ago
A. it is better to follow your doctors advice for treating the thyroid deficiency. 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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