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Child's Psychology - What Do Your Child's Drawings And Scribbles Mean?
A child communicates in many ways. Verbal communication offers just a tiny insight into his mind. Analyzing his drawings might give a deeper understanding of his mental and psychological state. It brings a better understanding of his personality and also offers parents and therapists a medium to help the child tide over difficult and stressful situations.
We often depend completely on verbal communication to understand our children. However, this forms just 10 percent of the human ability to communicate. Studying other forms of communication is even more important for a parent because children are often not aware of their feelings.
Besides, younger children might not be articulate enough to verbalize them. Studying a child’s drawings can be a good way of comprehending his mindset. Give him colouring tools like a drawing and colouring book with a set of crayons or water colours and look out for the colours he uses, the strokes he makes and the overall ‘feel’ of the picture. This surely can say a lot about him. Therapists also believe that drawing is a good way to express stress and find relief during tough times. Doctors have been successful in treating problems like bed-wetting, thumb-sucking and stuttering through art therapy.
Understanding Your Child’s Drawings Meanings
Your child's drawing's meaning can give you valuable insight into the state of mind of your child. It can also tell you about any kind of physical and sometimes even emotional experiences he is going through.
First Impression
The very first look at your child’s picture can sometimes reveal what he’s feeling. Look at the picture and see what you feel. Does it look depressing or disturbed? The answer to that question will give you your first clue to your child’s thoughts.
Colours
The colours he uses come next. Children as they grow up are exposed to a wide range of experiences and emotions - everything they come across is exciting and new! The response of a healthy child to all this information and sensory input would be to use a wide range of colours in their drawings. The more colours your child uses in his drawings, the more happy and excited he is about life! Colours also help to better express emotions than a simple pencil would. hence the overuse of a particular colour may also indicate the emotional state of the child. This is in line with the findings of colour psychology. In general, a child who uses blues and greens a lot is happy and well-adjusted. Bright and warm colours like oranges and yellows signify cheerfulness, whereas dark colours, especially in drawings that are sad in themselves, could point at a child that needs help.
Completeness
If a child leaves his drawings incomplete or draws light hesitant lines, he might be in need of encouragement. Such drawings point towards a hesitant, insecure child. Incomplete drawings might also be an indicator of a casual impulsive personality. However, if the pattern continues over a longer period of time, a parent might consider seeking help. Too many erasures and corrections might indicate a high level of anxiety. Conversely, too much embellishment might be an indicator of a child’s need for attention.
Position
Where on the page a child is drawing a picture can also indicate the state of mind of the child, but this would be applicable to older children who have better motor skills. A child drawing on the left of the page is a shy, introverted child; it could also mean the child is seeking the presence of a caring adult, or a nurturing mother- or father-figure. A child drawing on the right, on the other hand, talks about someone who has a desire to communicate, and is an out-going kid.
Common Children's Drawings Meanings
Your child will draw pictures in three phases:
Scribbling Phase: random scribbling of lines that has no real meaning.
Pre-schema Phase: when children try to draw what they see, including simple figures, trees, houses, etc.
Schema Phase: when there is a well-identifiable theme to the drawings, and the drawings are more realistic.
Through these three phases, your child's drawings will go from random scribbling to defined pictures with themes and a meaning that an adult can understand without asking the child. Through the different phases, your child's drawing's meaning will keep evolving. Here are some common themes that you may see in your child's scribbling, and what each of them means.
1. Scribbling
The first phase of your child - scribbling - may not make sense on paper. But psychologists say that at this stage, it is not the actual drawing but the process that is indicative. A child may put pencil to paper, drag it across, and make noises of an engine revving up. If you asked this child what he had just drawn, he may say 'daddy going to work'... which means the random scribbling is actually a car on the road. Scribblings make no sense when you look at them, but the process can give insights.
2. Smiling Sun
A full sun in the center of the page, with a smiley, is the sign of a well-adjusted, happy, satisfied child.
3. Stick Figures
Stick figure drawings usually depict family of the child. You can pick up cues about the child's emotional state by seeing where they place themselves in the picture, who are they standing next to (which indicates the person they feel closest to), which stick figure appears the biggest (which indicates who is the most important person in the family, according to the child), etc.
[caption id="attachment_170984" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Source: http://www.roshida.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/12-Must-Know-Facts-about-Childrens-Drawing-Interpretation.pdf[/caption]
4. Increasing Number of Details
The more details a child adds to the drawing, the better his cognition is developing. children will usually add details like spectacles on the 'father', or a bindi on the mother. Children with acute observation may even be able to notice and interpret physical appearance differences, and may even be able to see 'gender' differently.
5. Hole in the Ground
This is the typical drawing of a child who has recently experienced loss. Usually it is in the form of a death in the family, or it could also be death of a pet. If the child is alone in the drawing it means the child is feeling very lonely.
6. Monsters
A lot of kids' stories are full of dark scary beings, so such a drawing could be nothing but the child's interpretation of the story. On the other hand, it has been indicated by psychologist Dr. Christopher Hastings that drawing monsters could be a coping mechanism of a child that is feeling powerless.
[caption id="attachment_175470" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Source: http://www.smosh.com/category/funny-pictures[/caption]
7. Clouds and Rain
Showing lots of clouds and rain in the picture could indicate the child is feeling especially anxious or scared. If the child is feeling particularly so, he may draw himself standing beneath a cloud.
8. Houses
The interesting details you can note about a house drawn by a child include the number of windows, whether the door is open or shut, if there is a walkway leading to the house, etc. More number of windows is an indication that the child wants people to 'see what's going on in the house'. An open door shows a welcoming attitude. A walkway on the other hand could indicate a socially well-adjusted child who has healthy social interactions with his peers.
9. Angry People
A child drawing angry people, especially family members, is likely experiencing emotional trauma. Many a times, these drawings are also a result of being exposed inadvertently to that kind of media - movies on TV, videos on the Internet, etc. The actions of these people also can give insight: an adult in some kind of danger can indicate a fear of losing the adult, or the child's anger towards the person. On the other hand, an adult hurting the child may indicate abuse at home, or fear of the concerned adult.
When Should You Examine Your Child's Drawings:
According to art therapist and international expert on the analysis of children's drawings Michal Wimmer, "Parents, educators and mental health professionals do not seek to analyze children's drawings with the sole purpose of identifying fears and distresses or bring about significant behavioral change. Drawings are an additional, easily available tool for understanding daily behavior." In fact, it has been indicated by several studies and researchers that children who draw more are actually more creative and intelligent.
Sometimes children may draw scary things: weapons, fire, angry people, fighting, etc. While the odd drawing is okay, if this is a common trend emerging in your child's drawings, you may want to consult a child psychologist. Some such situations, where consulting a psychologist may be necessary are when:
The child is drawing violent pictures repeatedly
The child draws a person or an object significantly bigger than himself
The child draws disjointed body parts for human figures
He uses too many dark colours and unpleasant images
It is important to look at a child’s picture in its entirety. Never rely only on your interpretation of your child's drawings. They can draw som pretty darned ridiculous and crazy and funny things! Remember to ask your child the meaning of what he has drawn. Do not take every single scribble meaning to the heart! Read more
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Fayiza Khanum
Mom of a 1 yr 3 m old girl
20 mins ago
Pic within 1st week of birth.My sunshine ,my ray of hope
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Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
5 hours ago
Q. #asktheexperts what to give children when starting solids?
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 8 m old girl
5 hours ago
A. After completing the time of six months you should start with dal water and rice water followed by all kind of fruits and vegetables porridge khichadi mash banana mash potato mash sweet potato dairy products and varieties made made out of ragi Suji and oats can also be given to your child
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15 Most Popular Craft Books for Kids
Crafts are an excellent way to keep children busy and entertained. For some children, an interest in creating stays with them as they grow up, resulting in a fun and skillful hobby for them to indulge in during their free time. If you have children who love getting creative with crafts, you may find yourself constantly looking for inspiration or fun craft ideas. This is when it can be helpful to have a good child craft book or two lying around.
Not only will they be able to help you get inspired with new ideas and activities to get the kids involved in, but they will also provide your children with an excellent resource through which they can broaden their knowledge and learn new things. And the best part is, they won’t need to have any screen time to access great information!
15 Awesome Craft Books for Children
Whether you are looking for a good crafts book for your household or a gift for a child, here are some of the best craft books for kids for you to consider:
1.“The Everything Book: A Treasury of Things to Make and Do” By Eleanor Graham Vance
This handy book was first published in 1974, and it is full of all the information you need to keep your children entertained healthily and productively. It includes fun things such as recipes for crazy cake and fun riddles and rhymes to learn. The book is divided into two parts; the first section covers Things to Make, while the second section covers Things to Do.
2.“The Golden Book of Family Fun” By Peggy Brown
This book will become your go-to book when looking for ideas for family night or to fill in some free time with the children. It has information on many fun party ideas, activity ideas, and exciting arts and crafts that you can all try together.
3.“Made to Play! Handmade Crafts and Toys for Growing Imaginations” By Joel Henriques
The author made this book to encourage children in open-ended play and help stimulate the children’s imaginations. Projects include building blocks made of paper, wooden animals, bottle cap arts and crafts, and so much more.
4. “Martha Stewart's Favourite Crafts for Kids” By the Editors of Martha Stewart Living
This is a great pick when it comes to books with crafts for kindergarten children. It caters to children from age three to twelve and includes any fun craft projects that parents can work on with their children. The aim is that the result of every project will result in the children having made something that they can play with.
5. “365 Things to Make and Do” By Fiona Watt
With a fun activity for every day of the year, this book holds plenty of beautiful crafts. You can turn this book into a challenge to complete with your kids, from making fabric collages, flag chains to leaf paintings. All you need to do is commit to making one craft out of the book every day.
6. “Sneaky Art: Crafty Surprises to Hide in Plain Sight” By Marthe Jocelyn
Your kids will learn to make displayable art with some readily available materials. They make lovely and thoughtful handmade gifts, and the idea is to sneak them into places where they will be seen. Your kids will learn how to create and then sneak a creation of paper muffins onto their teacher’s desk as a pleasant surprise or crafting and leaving a cute little cork-bottomed boat floating in a public fountain for someone else to find and enjoy.
7. “Kid Made Modern” By Todd Oldham
You and your kids will love making creative cardboard forts, paper window decorations, and so much more. There are 52 projects to get your children involved in, most of which use recyclable materials and are inspired by mid-century charm.
8. “Red Ted Alert: Cute and Easy Crafts for Kids” By Margarita Woodley
This wonderfully creative book shares information for over 60 exciting crafts to make with your children. They can learn to make egg carton fairy lights, shell crabs, peanut shell finger puppets, and so much more. The best part is that the materials are often recyclables or just things you can easily find outside.
9.“The Artful Parent: Simple Ways to Fill Your Family’s Life With Art and Creativity” By Jean Vant Hul
When Children indulge in art, they are making use of and honing their skills and imaginations. This book aims to direct children in this same direction by introducing arts and crafts that will help them to improve on their creativity. This is the ideal book for crafts for preschoolers as it was made with children from one year to eight years old in mind.
10.“Craft-A-Day: 365 Simple Handmade Projects” By Sarah Goldschadt
This book caters to a varied age group from young beginners to tweens with a bit more knowledge and capability. If you have children in multiple age groups, this book will be handy for you since they can all enjoy it. The projects found in this book are very simple and make each step easy to follow with step-by-step instructions and pictures.
11. “Low-Mess Crafts for Kids: 72 Projects to Create Your Own Magical Worlds” By Debbie Chapman
Forget all about the horror of cleaning up after a mess once craft time has come to an end. These projects come with handy tips to eliminate as much of the mess as possible, like twisting a pipe cleaner into different shapes to avoid glue. You can enjoy craft time with the children without the heavy burden of knowing you will need to clean up after.
12. “Fun and Easy Crafting with Recycled Materials” By Kimberly McLeod
These crafts will excite the eco-warrior as the materials are commonly found objects you would have otherwise thrown away. You can use materials like cardboard, egg cartons, paper rolls, and newspapers for making these projects.
13. “Sticks and Stones: A Kids Guide to Building and Exploring in the Great Outdoors” By Melissa Lennig
While you can get pretty crafty indoors using many different materials, there is something far more adventurous about getting creative with materials found outside in nature. Your kids can enjoy making pendants out of stone, building dams out of rocks, and putting up makeshift cabins and tipis.
14.“Origami Made Simple: 40 Easy Models With Step-by-Step Instructions” By Russell Wood
Paper folding has never been easier than with the step-by-step instructions and diagrams shared in this papercraft book. You and your children will be able to find inspiration as you flip through the pages and find that you can incorporate many of the origami items as decor for other DIY projects once you get the hang of them.
15. “Craft Lab for Kids: 52 DIY Projects to Inspire, Excite and Empower Kids to Create Useful, Beautiful, Handmade Goods” By Stephanie Corfee
This book has many fun ideas that you and the kids can enjoy together. By creating their designs, kids can make items to be given away, displayed, or worn. There is also a lot of helpful information on how kids can use crafts and art to spruce things up, make little crafts that are bound to put a smile on someone’s face, and even how to express their personalities into their creations.
With the many beautiful choices out there, you are sure to find a book on crafts that is a perfect fit for you and your family.
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Space Books for Children
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Diphtheria Tetanus Pertussis (DTaP) Vaccine
Vaccinations are an important part of a child’s healthcare plan. It is important to know that vaccines play a crucial role in developing antibodies that help in strengthening your child’s immune system and protecting them from dangerous viruses. The DTaP vaccine is one of the most commonly found and important vaccines that your child requires.
What is DTaP Vaccine & Why It is Recommended
The DTaP vaccine for babies is an injectable vaccine shot used to treat three different infant illnesses - Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis. Pertussis is more commonly known as whooping cough. While any person of any age can catch any of the three illnesses, children are especially susceptible to them as their immune system is not fully developed. Children are also vulnerable because diphtheria and pertussis are highly contagious diseases and can be caught from other infected children very easily. Tetanus is contracted through open cuts which are a commonplace occurrence when children play.
What are Benefits of DTaP Vaccine?
The DTaP vaccine is commonly used to create antibodies that combat all three diseases. These three diseases can be dangerous for young infants and adults alike.
Diphtheria
Diphtheria is a contagious bacterial infection that can be extremely dangerous for children under the age of 5 and adults over the age of 40, it has a 20% fatality rate for those around this age group.
This disease causes a heavy sore throat, fever and extreme weakness. The condition manifests through a thick grey coat at the back of the throat which can choke your baby and make it difficult for them to breathe. If the disease is not treated quickly the bacteria caused by it can infect multiple organs that can lead to multiple organ failure, heart failure and paralysis.
Tetanus
Tetanus is not a contagious disease and is caused by bacteria that live in the soil and dust. These bacteria enter through any cuts and punctures on the skin. Tetanus is also known as lockjaw and causes severe muscle spasms, seizures, and even paralysis.
Of all the conditions of tetanus reported, over 10% end up being fatal.
Pertussis
Pertussis or whooping cough is one of the most common vaccine-preventable diseases in children today. The bacterial disease is highly infectious and causes a cough so severe that even talking, eating and drinking becomes impossible. Pertussis can worsen and cause other complications like pneumonia, seizures, brain damage and even death.
Pertussis is especially dangerous for babies under the age of a year as their immune system is more susceptible to the pathogen as well as the complications that arise from the infection.
Proposed DTaP Vaccine Schedule
Doctors recommend that this shot be given to a child in 5 doses. This should be spread out over 6 years
Recommended ages
The recommended schedule for the shots are 3 shots during the first year at the age of 2 months, 4 months and 6 months, this is followed by an additional 2 shots at the age of 16 months and 4 years along with a TDaP shot between the age of 11-12. If you fail to get the DTaP vaccine as a child, it is then recommended that you get a vaccine known as TDaP as an adult with 2 TD booster shots. A TD vaccine booster protects against tetanus and diphtheria but does not work against pertussis.
Recommended Number of Doses
Here are the recommended DTaP vaccine doses for children from birth to adulthood-
0-6 years: 5 shots of DTaP
11 years – 12 years: one shot of TDap
As Adults: One shot of Tdap followed by booster doses every 10 years
What is the Difference Between DTaP and Tdap Vaccine?
While children under 7 are administered the DTaP vaccine, the Tdap vaccine is intended for adolescents. The Tdap vaccine is also called a booster dose, as it renews the immunity which may have lessened over the years.
Who Should Avoid DTaP Vaccination?
Doctors recommend that some children either wait or not get the vaccine due to medical complications like:
Allergies
Major illnesses that weaken the immune system
A seizure caused by an initial dose of the vaccine
Recurring fevers
High fevers that are higher than 104 degrees
The baby cries 3 straight hours or more after the initial vaccine
Risks and Side Effects of DTaP Vaccine
As with any vaccine, the DTaP vaccine has some side effects to watch out for, the DTaP vaccine fever is amongst one of the most common ones, some other side effects and risks are:
A loss in appetite
Weakness
Vomiting
Fussiness and crying for extended periods
Seizures
When giving your child the 4th and fifth shot of the DTaP vaccine, you might notice a general swelling of the area that can take up to a week to reduce entirely. This is a very common side effect and there isn’t any reason to be alarmed.
There might be some moderate reactions to the vaccine which aren’t very common, but of which you should still be aware.
Persistent crying of more than three hours
Seizures
High fever
In case of any of these side effects, it is best to consult with your child’s doctor immediately and ensure your child receives the medical attention she requires.
Is There Any Serious Reaction?
Some of the more extreme and rare side effects include:
Coma
Permanent brain damage
Severe allergic reactions leading to paralysis
You must be especially wary of any increase in temperature. A high fever of 105 can prove to be fatal to your baby. Seek immediate medical help if the fever goes above 100. Medically trained professionals will be able to help reduce the fever and ensure that the health of your baby stays intact.
What Precautions One Must Take While Giving a Child DTaP Injection
It is always more prudent to give your child the DTaP injection when she is relatively healthy. A sick child must not be given the vaccine as they will not be able to fight the side effects as well as a healthy child will be.
Every parent struggles to do what is best for their child, sometimes this means taking preventive measures to ensure the long-term well-being of your child. Vaccines are the best way to ensure that your child does not suffer from ailments that can be easily avoided. Talk to your child’s healthcare provider to understand which vaccines your child should get and when.
Also Read: Child Immunization & Vaccination Schedule Read more
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Natural Treatments for Perimenopause and Menopause
Fertility in women ends during menopause. But before your body enters this stage, it will go through a preparatory phase known as perimenopause. This occurs in order to ensure that your body can handle the absence of secreted oestrogen which it has been used to for the past few decades. During perimenopause, your ovaries will begin to make less and less oestrogen. This will cause irregular or skipped periods for a while, finally stopping altogether when menopause is reached. Most women reach this stage in their early fifties. This article will help you understand and employ completely natural treatments for perimenopause as well as menopause so you can obtain some relief from their symptoms.
Natural Remedies for Perimenopause
There are several home remedies available for perimenopause. In addition to maintaining sanitary practices to keep your hygiene levels high and exercising regularly to improve cardiovascular health, perimenopausal symptoms can be remedied by the following practices.
1. Eat a Balanced Diet:
Drink at least two litres of water every day. Don’t skip on the fresh fruits, nuts, legumes, fish and green veggies either. All these foods are rich in all the vital nutrients to keep you fit and functioning overall. Dietary fibre in most fruits can reduce constipation, a common premenopausal problem. Simultaneously, reduce your intake of salt, red meat and trans fats as these could worsen the symptoms.
2. Do Some Yoga:
Going to the gym is great, but yoga is known impact mental well-being as much as physical. Symptoms like sleeplessness, mood problems and hot flashes can be reduced by regular yoga sessions. You could join a nearby class or even pick up some techniques from online tutorials.
3. Get That Sunshine Vitamin:
When oestrogen levels drop, the likelihood of developing osteoporosis increases. Getting around thirty minutes of sunlight a day, or even taking a vitamin D supplement can circumvent that problem. It is known to instill a sense of jubilation and reduce the emotional imbalance.
4. Eat Flaxseed:
This naturally oily plant is rich in healthy fats linked to controlling cholesterol levels and preventing heart disease. Further, flaxseed oils can regulate certain hormones, reducing the risks of irregular menstrual bleeding. You can simply add a tablespoon of flaxseed to your morning cereal or breakfast shake.
5. Ginkgo Biloba:
The star herb of Chinese medicine, Ginkgo has been used for thousands of years to improve blood flow, mental function and cardiac health. Gingko also helps with depressive symptoms, a common experience during perimenopause. You can find Ginkgo online in the form of supplements and powders.
6. Consume Soy:
Soy is rich in oestrogen-like compounds known as isoflavones. It has been reported that consuming soy can help balance the lack of oestrogen, reducing the impact of hot flashes, vaginal dryness and night sweating. Soy can be consumed as tofu, soybeans, and soy milk. The wealth of protein and other nutrients in soy make it quite a healthy alternative to meat and animal milk.
7. Pine Bark Extract:
Obtained from the bark of the French Maritime Pine tree, this blend of plant flavonoids is collectively known as Pycnogenol. Easily available online or at pharmacies, this extract has been shown to significantly reduce the instances of hot flashes and night sweats during perimenopause.
8. Black Cohosh:
This herb is trending right now as a natural treatment for perimenopausal symptoms. The powdered root of this plant is consumed in the form of pills or teas and is believed to be effective at fighting symptoms like insomnia and hot flashes. You can easily buy the herb online in the form of capsules. Care must be taken when using this remedy as it can cause slight headaches and nausea.
Home Remedies for Menopause
Menopause comes with its own set of bothersome symptoms, but this doesn’t mean you have to resort to chemical medication or hormone treatments for relief. Natural remedies for menopause include consuming a balanced diet, exercising often and partaking in natural herbal supplements can keep the menopausal pains at bay.
1. Supplement Yourself:
There are various supplements available in the market that deal with this specific issue. Herbs like red clover, St. John’s Wort, Maca Root and Indian herbs like Ashwagandha reduce the risk of osteoporosis, endometriosis and premenstrual stress. They also improve cardiovascular health and emotional well-being, while lowering the likelihood of hot flashes and fatigue. Nevertheless, please confirm with your doctor before you consume any of these supplements.
2. Reduce Stress:
Menopause comes with a drastic change in mental and emotional mood, leading to depression, anxiety and fatigue. This can lead to unnecessary stress, which subsequently takes a toll on your diet, sleep schedule and libido. To counter stress, you can try a host of techniques to reduce your stress levels. For example, yoga and ayurvedic massages are among the most effective Indian home remedies for menopause.
3. Diaphragmatic Breathing:
Learning breathing techniques like paced or diaphragmatic breathing calms the nervous system and promote better circulation. The key is to breathe through the nose continuously for five seconds, hold for a couple of seconds in the abdomen, and breathe out for another five. Menopausal women who have consistently practised this technique have reported half as many menopausal symptoms as those who do not. You can practice for twenty to forty minutes a day.
4. Try Out Aromatherapy:
Essential oils have shown some improvement in menopausal symptoms like anxiety, hot flashes, hormone imbalances, stress and so on. Clary sage oil, chamomile oil and peppermint oil are best suited for this purpose. They can be found online or at the supermarket. Apply a couple of drops of the oil on your nape or your forehead and let them do their work. If you have skin that is sensitive, you may need to dilute the essential oil in coconut oil before applying.
5. Change Your Lifestyle:
Holistic approaches are actually as, if not more, beneficial in terms of overall health than a symptom or disease-specific treatments. Changing your habits by adding exercise, proper sleep, and a healthy diet are known to improve menopausal symptoms as well as ageing-related issues. Improving your personal relationships with your friends and families will improve your mood as well.
6. Exercise:
Keeping your body fit is more important now than ever. Managing your weight is quite essential during menopause, as weight gain is linked to bone loss, muscle degeneration and extreme stress. Around thirty to forty minutes, a day of consistent cardio exercise should strengthen your bones and muscles in addition to elevating your mood.
7. Progressive Muscle Relaxation:
This is a non-medical technique involving muscle tension-relaxation cycles. Studies have shown that a regular application of this method improves mood, and reduces symptoms like insomnia, hot flashes and so on. You can find a practised trainer or simply look up tutorials online. Works best when you combine it with Diaphragmatic Breathing described in the list above.
8. Eat the Good Stuff:
Similar to perimenopause; diet plays a crucial role in managing menopausal symptoms like nausea, hot flashes and osteoporosis. Foods like cruciferous vegetables and other greens rich in phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals balance oestrogen levels in the body. If necessary, you could use a mineral supplement as well. Veggies and fruits that provide roughage like nuts, beans, seeds, and so on are important to control cholesterol as well as reduce constipation. Finally, don’t forget your healthy fats, such as those in fish, flaxseed and so on.
9. Skip the Bad Stuff:
Foods that worsen menopausal symptoms are processed items, which contain dangerous preservatives and additives, as well as large amounts of sodium and sugar. These substances can affect the hormone balance in your body. Supermarket meat should be avoided entirely, as they tend to be chock full of synthetic hormones and antibiotics that can mess up your delicate system. Also skip refined oils, trans fats, carbonated drinks and alcohol, as these foods have been said to worsen hot flashes, bone density loss, and weight gain.
10. Sleep Enough:
With all these symptoms, it might be difficult to get a good night’s sleep. In fact, these symptoms are actually worsened by lack of rest, as poor sleep has been shown to increase stress hormones, reduce immunity levels and raise the likelihood of developing depression or anxiety. Ensure you get a minimum of seven to nine hours of sleep every night. Try mindfulness meditation or diaphragmatic breathing to calm yourself to sleep if necessary.
Both perimenopause and menopause are natural events and cannot be stopped. There are several natural treatments available to mitigate their symptoms, but please do not feel that these are your only options. Before attempting the remedies mentioned above, you should consult your gynaecologist, as some of them may have side-effects or interfere with other medicines you are taking. If you must try the food supplements, do so one at a time to avoid stressing your body out. Please note that this only applies to supplements, as balanced diets, exercise, and sleep are essential to building a stronger healthier body.
Also Read: Getting Pregnant after Menopause Read more
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Working During Pregnancy - Taking Care At Work
Pregnancy need not spell an end to your career. A pregnant woman can very well manage to work even during pregnancy, although she may be required to consider some things and accordingly make a few changes at her workplace. In this respect, her employer may also have to make certain alterations. But, as long as her doctor doesn’t advise her to stop working, there is no reason she should have to give up working at this time. Moreover, a pregnant woman has a right to maternity leave and may be granted flexible working hours. She is eligible for paid sick leave as well if she experiences sickness or has health issues, due to pregnancy. She may be given time off for her scheduled medical check-ups with the doctor. If her usual job profile presents health hazards for her or carrying out a particular task leads to sickness, she can refuse to do it and ask for a transfer to an alternate safer job. If a secure job is unavailable, she may be allowed leave, on this account.
Is There A Reason That You Shouldn't Work in Pregnancy?
Being pregnant may seem like a full-time job in itself. And being pregnant at work may seem like a lot to manage. This is because, during pregnancy, a woman goes through, a lot of hormonal and physical changes that may take a toll on her health and ability to work. Aches and pain, fatigue, mood swings or morning sickness are some of the things that a pregnant woman may have to deal with, on a daily basis, during her pregnancy. All this coupled with the stress of work and tiring working hours may increase her distress during pregnancy. Therefore, a pregnant woman may find it tough to handle both, job and taking care of her health, at the same time. Travelling for work, posture, sitting or standing for long hours at work, the stress of deadlines and meetings may heighten her discomfort during pregnancy, leading to aches and health troubles.
It is not entirely inadvisable for a pregnant woman to continue working. It is advisable to take into consideration aspects like the nature of the job, the conditions at the workplace and whether the employers are willing to make allowances for you, before taking a decision. If you are experiencing a healthy, low-risk pregnancy, you may surely continue working. It is always sensible to consult your doctor and discuss the issue with him.
How to Stay Comfortable at Work?
Pregnancy presents its own share of difficulties. Pregnant women may keep in mind certain tips to manage and balance the pressures of work along with health needs.
a. Managing Fatigue
Combating fatigue may be your most significant challenge during pregnancy. This is because of the physical strain pregnancy can place on your body. You may tire easily or feel tired all the time. To enhance your energy, you may like to get up and move after regular intervals. A short walk during your break can refresh you. It is essential to pay attention to your diet. Include foods that are rich in protein and iron like poultry, green leafy vegetables, red meat, sea-food, iron-rich cereals and beans. Keeping yourself sufficiently hydrated by drinking lots of fluids may prove useful. Always remember to take short breaks while working. Avoid working at a stretch and try to reduce your workload by hiring help, online shopping. Although the thought of exercising at the end of a long working day may seem exhausting, maintaining a workout routine may help increase your energy levels. If you are required to sit at work all day, going for a walk after work can be beneficial. You may also enrol yourself into a prenatal fitness class. Above all, you need to sleep for at least eight hours every night.
b. Managing Morning Sickness
Most pregnant women are troubled by morning sickness or may experience some kind of nausea or uneasiness throughout their pregnancy. To manage the illness, you can try and stay away from all your triggers that may intensify the feeling of nausea like the smell of certain foods. Frequent snacking may also aid in fighting nausea. Keeping crackers or biscuits handy at work can be a good idea. Drinking ginger tea or ginger ale may also help.
c. Managing Aches and Pains
During pregnancy, women may experience several aches and pains as the posture drastically changes, owing to the increasing weight one is carrying. It is best to avoid sitting or standing for long. Every once in a while, stretching the back, taking short breaks to move around, may help in easing the tension in the muscles and promoting blood circulation. Sitting on an adjustable chair which provides decent support to the lower back can relieve a backache. A small cushion can also be placed at the back for additional support. While sitting at the desk, you may rest your feet on a footrest to avoid swelling at the ankles and fluid retention in legs. If you need to stand for a long time, alternately shifting weight on both the feet may help. You may like to wear comfortable footwear to work. If you need to turn, refrain from twisting at the waist. To lift things, try bending at the knees to avoid putting unnecessary pressure on the back.
d. Managing Mood Swings
Pregnant women are prone to frequent mood swings due to the hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy. Stress and fatigue at work can add to it or make it worse. Practising meditation, relaxation methods like conscious deep breathing, yoga may benefit. Getting massages, listening to music, taking naps, spending quality time with friends may also assist in brightening up the mood. Going on a walk with a good friend and talking out your frustrations and problems can also make you feel better.
When to Announce Pregnancy at the Office?
There is no specific time to announce your pregnancy at the office. But it is sensible not to disclose your pregnancy till after the end of the first trimester. By this time, the chances of a miscarriage lower dramatically. You may make an announcement whenever you are comfortable with the idea of people at the workplace knowing about it. Though, be certain to inform your boss first. He will like to know it from you rather than the gossip mills directly. Fix an appointment with your employer to apprise him of your pregnancy and the due date. This may be necessary to plan your maternity leave and other details like taking off from work for your scheduled medical check-ups, ascertaining a safe working environment or comfortable working hours for you. You may also like to assure your boss of your continued commitment and efficiency. It is always wise to acquaint yourself with the firm’s maternity policy, terms of the contract. After informing your boss, you may then share the news with your colleagues. You may need to submit a written-notice, about ten weeks in advance, before proceeding on your maternity leave.
How to Remain Professional at Work?
Here are some guidelines to follow that may not only help you to remain efficient and professional at work but also help cope with the changes that pregnancy is bound to bring about.
Prepare yourself for the inevitable changes that every stage of pregnancy is expected to bring about. As the pregnancy will progress, you may tire easily; the discomfort can increase. Try and accept these various changes and make suitable adjustments in your lifestyle and working schedule.
Plan in advance if you are required to travel for work. You may need to reschedule your prenatal appointments. Ideally, you may like to schedule your trips during the second trimester because by then the sickness and risks involving miscarriage will have lower considerably. It is always advisable to consult your doctor in this respect.
It is always reasonable to inform well in advance before taking time off from work. You may also like to find someone to fill in for you so that your work is not affected. You may refrain from setting up your prenatal appointments on weekdays, during office working hours. You may schedule them for weekends or during the lunch break or for evenings, after office hours.
It is best to avoid voicing your frustrations or talking too much about your pregnancy discomfort at work. Stay focused on your work so that you are perceived as a sincere and dedicated worker by your boss and colleagues.
You may like to keep your office attire comfortable yet smart. During the first trimester, you may continue to wear your usual work clothes, but you may require making certain changes in the second and third trimester because your size is likely to change during this time. You may also like to go in for comfortable footwear.
It may be a good idea to manage the initial interest tactfully and excitement your pregnancy may generate in your colleagues. Deliberately, you may diplomatically steer the conversations back to work-related issues.
Advantages of Working When Pregnant
There are several advantages of working during pregnancy. By continue working, you may benefit monetarily, which can be useful given the likely added expense of pregnancy. It can take your mind off the problems of pregnancy. You may also gain a great support system from your colleagues. If your pregnancy progresses normally and you can work through your pregnancy, you may avail your saved-up maternity leave after delivery. This may help you spend more time with your new-born before you re-join.
Disadvantages of Working When Pregnant
Working when pregnant may encompass some risks as well. The pressure of work may take a toll on your health. Stress and long working hours may add to your discomfort and aggravate the aches and pains. Most pregnant women like to enjoy the “nesting” stage, during which, they ready themselves for the childbirth. Working women may not get sufficient time to relish this time.
Taking Care While Working
There are several things a pregnant woman can undertake not only to make her working experience comfortable but also to care for her health.
Take suitable steps to prevent aches and pains, by making the working conditions as comfortable as possible.
Be open to the idea of accepting assistance and support from your colleagues and friends.
Consider managing work stress by relaxation methods like deep breathing, yoga, meditation, listening to soothing music.
Always go in for regular short breaks at work while pregnant. Sit comfortably.Get up to move around, take a small stroll or simply stand up and straighten your back.
Incorporate healthy foods into your diet to boost your energy and fight fatigue. It is best to avoid excessive coffee or tea, spicy and friend stuff. Frequent healthy snacking at work may prove useful to keep nausea at bay.
Avoid wearing heels to work. It may be a good idea to opt for comfortable footwear instead. Flat shoes, which can cushion and support the feet, may be a better choice
Keep yourself adequately hydrated by drinking lots of water.
Select comfortable office-wear which not only suits the workplace but also provides the much-needed ease.
It can be tricky to manage travelling for work while pregnant. Always select the time and means of travel which best suits your pregnancy conditions.
What Should You Avoid Doing?
A pregnant woman can avoid doing certain things at work to safeguard her health and ensure her baby’s wellbeing:
Refrain from lifting heavy objects or moving weighty furniture at work. Be very careful while climbing or going down the stairs or escalators.
Avoid sitting or standing in a particular position for long. Keep changing positions and be mindful of your postures.
Try and handle stress at work by organising your work and planning.
Avoid drinking too much of tea, coffee or aerated drinks.
Withhold dressing in tight or ill-fitting clothes. Dress in suitable office wear which is comfortable and accommodates your body changes.
Keep away from late night office parties or long working hours so that you may get adequate rest and sleep.
You may tire easily, working while pregnant third trimester. Take the day off from work, if you don’t feel up to it. Some days can be particularly rough. So, you may not like to push yourself beyond reasonable limits.
Stay away from any possible health hazards at work like exposure to chemicals or harmful materials that can expose you and your baby to unnecessary risks.
The decision to work during pregnancy should be made by taking a holistic view of the whole situation. The importance of evaluating the risks and challenges of working while being pregnant, cannot be stressed enough. It is essential to deliberate upon, the emotional and physical demands your job may have on you, during pregnancy. Though it is not entirely irrational to continue working when pregnant, proper care should be taken to safeguard your pregnancy and your health.
Also Read: Migraines During Pregnancy: How to Deal With it? Read more
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What Preschoolers Can Learn From Block Play
The importance of block play in early childhood cannot be denied. For preschoolers, building blocks will help pave the way for more complicated exploits in the future. There is a reason why building blocks have been a fixture in most classrooms. Give her a free reign to enjoy playing with blocks.
Kids are never too old to play with building blocks. They might look like pieces of coloured squares, but they teach valuable lessons. As your kid grows up, block play might take on a more complex turn. Your preschooler will be thinking of new ways to arrange blocks!
What Children Learn Through Block Play
1. Helps in Problem-Solving
Playing with building blocks will help your child improve her problem-solving abilities. During play, she might wonder how to build something with the blocks. Her ability to solve the conundrum will help her in future. While building a structure, she will find new ways to complete the design.
2. Boost Spatial Reasoning
Your child will learn to manipulate objects and space while playing with blocks. She might even ask questions: will this piece fit here? Or will this part fall down? She will probably look to make new shapes with the blocks at her disposal. Therefore, block play will allow your preschooler to navigate direction and space.
3. Helps with Maths
Block play also encourages the development of certain maths skills. These include counting, comparing length and width, shapes, and combining geometric shapes to create other shapes. Your child will also learn basic addition when she realises that two small blocks will be equal to one block. This is among the main reasons why block play is important for kids.
4. Improves Writing And Reading Skills
With block play, your child will understand sequence and its importance. This is the early step in honing her reading skill. Teachers and parents can also help children write stories about their building block experiences.
5. Language Boost
If you thought building blocks would only provide limited benefits, think again. When your little child works on building blocks, her language skills and vocabulary will also improve. How will this happen? When discussing block building with other friends in preschool, she will be tempted to interact.
6. Increases Responsibility
Your child will also learn to cooperate and share as they come together with other pre-schoolers and family members. She will learn to become responsible by cleaning up after playing with building blocks.
7. Builds Imagination
Playing with building blocks will help your child become more creative. She will learn to use her creative mind to think up new shapes with the blocks. The sky is the limit when she is given rein to play with building blocks. Some great block play activities for preschoolers could be tasking her with challenges to build structures- a skyscraper, a train, or even a doll house!
If your kid is attached to her building blocks, encourage her to explore innovative ways to tackle them. This apart, building blocks will also pave the way for friendships in playschool. When you give a group of preschoolers building blocks to play with, you can expect a fun time.
How have building blocks helped your child? Let us know in the comments below. Read more
Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
5 hours ago
Q. can I take zanocin 200 during breastfeeding
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 8 m old girl
4 hours ago
A. I’m not aware about what medicine it is for I can only tell you that these basic medicines you can take throughout your lactation it’s not a problem the medicines that you could take before your pregnancy can always be taken during the time of lactation
Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
5 hours ago
Q. #asktheexpert mam iam 33 weeks now when can I expect delivery date
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 8 m old girl
4 hours ago
A. The basic delivery date is normally 39 to 3 40 weeks of your pregnancy whenever you are ready for your delivery and whenever you hit your labour that’s going to be the right time for you further move your Dr is going to tell you when are you going to deliver with the help of an ultrasound
Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
5 hours ago
Q. iam 33 weeks pregnant now
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 8 m old girl
4 hours ago
A. What is your question associated with your pregnancy that you haven’t mentioned clearly can you please repost your question providing all the necessary details so at least I know and understand what are you willing to ask and accordingly I can give you help and assistance on that
Jennifer has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 3 months
3 hours ago
Q. I am 23 weeks 1 day pregnant. I was feeling the movements actively until today. Baby movements were not that good or maybe I didn’t feel it that way today. Is it a cause of concern? Should I wait for a day or two or should I go and see my gynaecologist?
Please suggest!
Read moreJennifer
Mom of 6 children
2 hours ago
A. please consult ur gynae asap.
Dr Sameer awadhiya has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
2 hours ago
Q. she doing from yesterday at night time only once and she having breast milk as well as formula feed nan pro 1 ,I have concern about like this potty yellow and grey ,I want to know it's normal ???
Dr Sameer awadhiya
Paediatrician
46 mins ago
A. Loose motion are most of the time infective where it is associated with fever and vomiting and its known as gastroenteritis where symptbomatic treatment along wjith management for dehydration is required if loose motions are associated with foul smell mucous high grade fever than it could be bacterial infection which needs antibiotics treatment
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