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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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Early Miscarriage: Causes & Symptoms
Miscarriage is a seldom talked about aspect of pregnancy. Though most people are aware of it, many are oblivious as to how often it happens. Miscarriage is the spontaneous termination of a pregnancy within the first twenty-four weeks of pregnancy. It is divided into early miscarriage which happens within the first twelve weeks of the pregnancy and late miscarriage which occurs between the twelfth and twenty-fourth week of pregnancy.
Video: Early Miscarriage Causes and Symptoms
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2RveXr1vnE
What is an Early Miscarriage?
Early miscarriage occurs during the first trimester of pregnancy, typically between the first 12 weeks of taking a test that confirms pregnancy.
Is early miscarriage common? Yes, more often than people like to admit. It is estimated that 10-20 percent of all positive pregnancy tests, end up in a miscarriage.
How early can you have a miscarriage? It is believed that as much as fifty percent of pregnancies are terminated before the first two weeks. Many women who experience a miscarriage this early aren't aware that there has been a miscarriage. This means that the number of early miscarriages is often underreported and it is difficult to give an accurate number.
Can it be prevented? While experts suggest lifestyle modifications play a role, in many cases it is beyond the control of an individual.
Signs and Symptoms of an Early Miscarriage?
It is to be noted that - early miscarriage symptoms 2 weeks after pregnancy may be hard to detect. There have been situations where women have just stopped "feeling pregnant" only to later realise that they have had a miscarriage. Other times, they may experience symptoms that would indicate an impending miscarriage. It must be stressed however that this is not always the case. Many of the symptoms listed are also part and parcel of the pregnancy experience. Other symptoms include:
Cramping: While this may be some cause for concern, it may also be as a result of the growing foetus within the uterus.
Spotting: Spotting can be a bit frightening, but many reasons such as irritation and sexual intercourse could also be the culprits.
Due to cramping and spotting being normal during pregnancy, one can't conclude that there is a danger of miscarriage based on these events. There will be some cause for concern when cramping, spotting along with light to heavy blood clots are observed simultaneously. In these situations, it is very hard to conclude if an early miscarriage has really occured. There are also situations called "threatened miscarriage" which mimics the symptoms of a miscarriage. These symptoms die down after a while and the pregnancy continues. The best course of action is to take the advice of a trained medical professional.
You might be wondering – “Is lower back pain early pregnancy sign of miscarriage?” Severe back pain has often been associated with a possible miscarriage. However, if one is experiencing back pain, it could also be because the body is growing as a result of the expanding uterus. This puts a strain on the back resulting in back pain.
Major Causes of Early Miscarriage
Many experts are of the opinion that chromosomal abnormality is one of the main reasons for early miscarriage. When there is a fusion between the DNA of the father and mother, there is an equal number of chromosomes taken from both parents to get a collective of forty-six chromosomes. However, this doesn't always take place the way that it is expected to. In some cases, there may be abnormalities which lead to embryo failing to develop further. When the development process of the embryo fails to materialise any further, it eventually leads to its demise, and a miscarriage takes place. This type of miscarriage isn't due to the abnormalities in the genetics of either parent and is beyond the control of anyone.
Some of the other causes include:
Mother's health: As the mother is a natural incubator where the foetus develops, any health problems that the mother may suffer could have a bearing on the development of the baby.
Diseases such as uncontrolled diabetes, intrauterine infection, congenital heart disease and thyroid disease are all linked to a higher chance of early miscarriage.
Hormonal issues: Women who suffer from various hormonal imbalances such as luteal phase defect, are unable to produce sufficient progesterone. As progesterone is required for the upkeep of a supportive environment for a foetus, a lowered production may lead to an early miscarriage.
Poor Lifestyle choices: Women who smoke, drink and use drugs during pregnancy endanger the lives of the foetus by increasing the risk of miscarriage.
Stress: Women who are going through high levels of stress are at an increased risk of having an early miscarriage. A study shows that stress induced hormones called CRH and urocortin have been found at higher levels among women who have had multiple miscarriages compared to women with single miscarriages.
How Do I Discover If I Did Have Miscarriage?
As an early miscarriage has very vague symptoms, it is best to conduct a medical tests and/or diagnostic procedure for ascertaining a miscarriage.
Diagnosis of a Miscarriage
Quantitative HCG Blood Test
The test involves the measurement of a hormone called Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). This is produced by a woman's body during pregnancy. It can be detected a week after ovulation. The level of HCG in the blood dramatically increases during the first few weeks of pregnancy. As there is a dramatic increase every few days, a confirmed diagnosis would involve taking two or multiple tests on different dates. If there is a fall in the HCG hormone in the blood, it is an indication of a problem. This test is the best one to take during the initial phase of pregnancy.
Transvaginal Ultrasound
This is a test that is preferred over the conventional ultrasound for detecting an early miscarriage. Primarily taken before the eighth week of pregnancy, it uses a probe which is inserted a few inches inside the vagina. As the wand is closer to the uterus, the pictures are the best that you can get during the early phase of the pregnancy. The results can take up to twenty-four hours to process.
What Happens After the Miscarriage?
It is advisable to go to the doctor, especially when experiencing early miscarriage bleeding. The doctor will do his/her best to make sure that the tissue has passed. In case it hasn't, steps will be taken to do the same to avoid complications. Either medication will be given to help with the passing of the tissue or the doctor will physically remove it with a suction curettage. After the tissue has been passed, one is advised to take rest, as menstrual cramps and bleeding will follow. One must avoid activities like swimming and sexual activity till the bleeding subsides.
A miscarriage is emotionally traumatising which is why it is important to talk about your feelings. Talk to your partner about how you feel. After a while, once you are feeling better you can talk about your future course of action if you wish to get pregnant again.
What You Can Do to Reduce the Risk of Miscarriage
It is very hard to say with certainty what the causes of miscarriage are, especially with early miscarriages. Women can often be hard on themselves after the event which shouldn't be the case. The truth is that there have been many instances where healthy women have had miscarriages despite taking all the precautions. This being said, there are a couple of things that can be done to minimise the risk of miscarriage:
Age Factor: A woman in her early forties has a higher susceptibility to miscarriage than a woman below thirty. This is because as a woman ages, there are higher chances of the production of chromosomally abnormal eggs.
Lifestyle: As any doctor will say, your lifestyle decides how your health will be. This is the same for a pregnant woman as well. Apart from avoiding alcohol, drugs and caffeine, one is also expected to avoid taking any medication without the approval of a doctor.
Abdomen protection: Any trauma to the abdomen section may potentially result in a miscarriage. This is why it is advised that women who are pregnant avoid any type of contact sports or other activities that may risk the foetus.
Obesity: Women who don't have a balanced diet have an increased likelihood of a miscarriage. This has been established through a number of scientific studies.
Although emotionally draining for the parents-to-be, a miscarriage is sometimes unavoidable. While it a setback for a couple trying to start a family, it is important not see it as an insurmountable problem. Adequate care after a miscarriage and taking a few months to let the body recover strength is sure to pave the way for a successful pregnancy.
Also Read: Miscarriage - Causes and Symptoms Read more
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How to take care of babies dry skin? Which oil to use for massaging? Is Cow ghee good for massaging?
Hey so basically most of the babies have very dry and sensitive skin and moms are worried about that as I am..I am a first time mom of a 4 month old baby girl She has very sensitive skin and now a days her skin is getting dry..So i wad soo worried..My nani suggested me cow ghee but i was worried to use it if it will work or not it will suit my baby skin or not..does it will do any side efferct than what..Her skin is also prone to ALLERGY..she get rashes on her fave neck arms..Docter says she has a kind of allergy, may be a food allergy or may be from some clothes..I thought it may be a heat rash or may be eczema..
We as a mom get worried easily and have to face a new challange daily..every day begins with something new to worry..
So the first thing is we have to stop worrying (if possible😂Now how the tips that worked for me for her dry skin.and rash are
Massage daily- oil massage is so soo soo important..Never miss massaging your baby.The best oil is the virgin coconut oil.You can use any virging coconut oil and massage properly the whole body of the baby..And the leave it for atkeast half an hour and the bath the baby..
Use moiturizer- Now which is the best moiturizer for the baby..we have so so so many options in the market that its so tough to decide the best for our baby..So you have to give a trial on some products and than choose the one which suited the beat on your baby skin...For my baby @SEBA MED works really well it keeps her dry skin hydrated and also helps to clean out her rashes.
Sponge bath in evening-My baby is teething so she is drooling a lot..and she gets dirty n the drool leads to rashes so in evening i use lukewarm water and a muslin cloth to clean her body and than moisturize her body..
Massage at night-Yes you hear it right..massage two times a day will help to keep baby skin soft and smooth and will also help the baby to sleep well as it soothes her body..Earlier i was using the coconut oil at night but from now a days i m using pure desi cow ghee for her and it works as my nani says it keeps her skin soo smooth and rash free..give it a try if it suits your baby skin it will be a magic for you..
Choose products that suits to your baby skin type..dont change product frequently..
Some modern tips and some from your nani dadi and both will work really well... Read more
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7 Signs That Tell Your Preschooler Has Learnt To Negotiate
Negotiation is a crucial quality that your preschooler needs to learn to lead a peaceful and happy life. Your growing little one needs to learn that he should not stick to his particular opinion, idea, or choice but also consider and appreciate others point of view when both make sense. And, if you have been working towards making your preschooler learn to negotiate in his day-to-day life and wish to check whether he has adapted to this good quality, here are certain signs that can help you!
1. Expresses His Own Choices
If your child expresses his choices or ideas instead of demanding his choice, then that’s a sign indicating your kid has learnt to negotiate. You will find your preschooler expressing that he likes a certain game or bag that he would like to have, and asks you whether you can get it for him. Furthermore, your preschooler may also ask you to make a “good” choice if you happen to reject his choice.
2. Practices Give and Take Policy
If your preschooler puts a step forward to share his toys with his friends, then you can say your little one has learnt to negotiate. Instead of refusing to share his toys with others, you will find your kid willing to share his toys with his friends and ask them to share their toys with him. Following such a ‘Give and Take’ policy promotes negotiation tendency in kids.
3. Asks For Your Opinions
Do you find your preschooler asking which pair of shoes or a T-shirt he should wear while going to the playground? If yes, that’s a good sign. Your child speaks up and asks for your opinion, instead of sticking to his particular notion all the time. This is a healthy sign indicating your child has adapted negotiation tendency.
4. Agrees To Settle a Conflict
When in a conflict with other kids, if your child agrees to cool down and settles the conflict by considering a few of his ideas as well as his friends’ ideas then that’s a good sign of negotiation. Your kid chooses to respect others’ point of view while settling a conflict.
5. Learns Good Manners
If you find your little one saying ‘Sorry’, ‘Thank You’, ‘Welcome’, or ‘Have Something’ and following good manners, then it indicates that your child is learning to negotiate. Following good manners is a sign of respecting others which helps build stronger social bonds.
6. Follows Your Instructions
Following your instructions and guidelines is one of the most prominent signs that tell your preschooler has learnt to negotiate. You will find your little one listening to all your instructions attentively and following them appropriately. He knows you want the best for him. He also knows that doing this will make you happy!
7. Builds New Friendships
If your kid makes new friends, then you can say he has learnt to negotiate. How? By making new friends, your little one learns to understand his interests and the others’ interests as well. You may find a positive change in your kid as he builds new friendships. Read more
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Sagara S has added a new answer
Expecting Father due in 6 months
6 hours ago
Q. from which month or week to take calcium and iron tablets during pregnancy
Sagara S
Mom of a 1 yr 2 m old boy
1 hour ago
A. 3 Rd month
PiaPiousPM has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 5 months
5 hours ago
Q. after 7 missing of periods I got faint line first then I have tested USG and TVs it was 7 days after I missed my periods there was negetive results then doctor gave me a medicine which called macgest sr 200 then after 15 days of missing my periods I got this result am I pregnant because I do not have nasuea but have tender brest only this is the last test photo and 2 image was the 7 days of missing my periods
Read morePiaPiousPM
Mom of a 3 m old boy
5 hours ago
A. Yes you are.. Get it confirmed with an ultrasound for viability
Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
5 hours ago
Q. I am 28 weeks pregnant and layed on my stomach for few seconds. is it worrisome?
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 8 m old girl
5 hours ago
A. If it was just a few seconds and it is not going to make a difference yet if you want to be more sure about it if it is more for you then you can get an ultrasound done with your doctor but as far as I know few seconds are not going to make any difference but still you can check with the doctor
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
3 hours ago
Q. which soap is better tedibar or sebamed?
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
3 hours ago
A. no problem u can use anyone. 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
Rashmi has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
2 hours ago
Q. Hi, are matte sunscreens suitable for oily skin? I am a new mother and I have to join office after my maternity leave, please suggest me a good one.
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 8 m old girl
1 hour ago
A. Cetaphil SPF 50 sunscreen lotion is going to be a very good choice for you to use for your skin it’s one of the best things that you can currently use and I’m very certain it is going to be good for your skin options also otherwise if you want you can try consulting a dermatologist for that
Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
43 mins ago
Q. hi iam 13th week pregnant my mind is completely in pressure stress and I cried alott does this affect my baby or baby growth
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 8 m old girl
14 mins ago
A. All the emotions that you feel and you go through during the time of pregnancy actually affects your child as well after first semester the child takes a better route of the body starts becoming they catch all the emotions and the feelings and negativity positivity everything that you have.. so you need to be more focused and particular about your feelings this time
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