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Facts and Information About Starfish for Kids
Starfish have always fascinated children and adults. Starfish are also called sea stars and no doubt, they are one of the most beautiful creatures found in the ocean. If you want to learn more about starfish, read on.
15 Interesting Facts About Starfish for Children
If you have wondered what these wonderful creatures are and how they live, here are 15 sea star facts that you need to know.
1. Starfish Are Not Fish
Starfish are not really fish. They are echinoderms. The echinoderms usually have five arms. These marine invertebrates are more closely related to sea urchins, sea cucumber, and sand dollar.
2. They Are Invertebrates
Unlike real fish which are vertebrates with a backbone and a skeleton, starfish are invertebrates; they do not have a true internal skeleton. They do have ‘ossicles’ which are calcium carbonate plates that take on the role of an endoskeleton and form spines and granules to offer structural rigidity to them.
3. Starfish Do Not Have a Brain
Starfish do not have a brain. They do have a system of nerves and nerve plexus below their skin that perform the function of a nervous system. They are perceptive to touch, light, and temperature.
4. Some Starfish Can Have As Many As 50 Arms
Most starfish have spiny skin and 5 arms but some of the specials can have up to 50 arms.
5. Starfish Cannot Survive in Freshwater
There are over 2000 different species of starfish, and they are all marine. They cannot be found in freshwater lakes or rivers.
6. They Do Not Have Blood
Starfish do not have a circulatory system to transport nutrients and waste throughout the body. Instead, they use circulating seawater through their vascular system.
7. They Move Using Their Tube Feet
Starfish use tube feet, located on their underside to move. The tubes get filled with seawater, and the muscles in the tube feet manipulate it to extend or contract.
8. Most Starfish Are Carnivores
Most starfish are carnivores, and they have specialised body parts to feed on other organisms such as clams, mussels, and even injured fish. Most of them have an unusual ability to consume their prey outside the body by pushing their stomachs out of their mouth over the prey and then withdrawing it to digest the food. Some species are omnivores and eat plant matter along with the animals. Some of them are also detritivores; they eat decomposing plant and animal matter at the bottom of the ocean.
9. Starfish Have Eyespots
Like most other marine invertebrates of its kind, starfish do not have eyes. They do have tiny eyespots on the tips of their arms which allow them to tell the difference between dark and bright. They use these eyespots to detect moving objects such as prey and potential threats.
10. They Have an Incredible Ability to Regenerate
One of the most impressive things starfish can do is to regenerate their whole body. For instance, if a predator eats almost the whole of the starfish except one arm, that arm can over a period of time regenerate the whole body back. The process is slow and could take up to a year if it is not attacked or killed again. If the starfish is cut in half, it will grow into two different starfish!
11. They Can Change Their Gender When Needed
Although starfish are distinctly male and female (they are not hermaphrodites), environmental conditions can prompt them to change their gender in their lifetime. They also use regeneration as a method of asexual reproduction.
12. Some Starfish Have a Lifespan of 35 Years
The lifespan of starfish depends on the species. The smaller ones weighing as little as 2 grams can live up to 10 years. Some bigger ones take five years to reach maturity and can live for as long as 35 years.
13. Starfish Aren't Social Creatures
Yes, they like to be alone. Starfish are solitary and prefer spending time alone. However, when they have to feed, they prefer hanging out in large groups.
14. Their Size Varies
Starfish, depending on the species, can range between the sizes of 1 cm and 65 cm. The biggest starfish species called the sunflower starfish can grow up to over 90 cms and weigh as much as 5 kgs!
15. Some Starfish Can Be Kept as Pets
One of the fun facts about starfish is that several species of starfish can be introduced into marine aquariums that have regulated temperature and salinity as they are sensitive to both the parameters. They usually feed off the plant, animal and bacterial matter on the aquarium floor and keep the water clean. So they function both as pets and water filters!
Starfish are fascinating marine creatures. They are found in almost all the oceans of the world. They strange abilities have allowed them to adapt and live in the ocean for a long time. We hope you like these facts and information about starfish. Read them to your kids, they will love knowing about starfish for sure.
Also Read:
Educative Aquatic Animals Information for Kids
Blue Whale Facts for Kids
Fun & Amazing Animal Facts for Kids Read more
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How to Improve the Writing Speed of a Child - Tips for Parents
Handwriting proficiency is achieved only with practice. Apart from enjoying your parenting years, be aware that you can mould your child only during the formative years. The more your child writes, the better he will get at it. Many reasons contribute towards slow writing, such as the incorrect position of the paper, wrong posture, the incorrect grip of the pencil, etc. Writing, which is a key part of education and an important form of communication, can be honed and improved by following systematic steps and engaging the child in fun activities and daily writing sessions.
Why is It Important to Improve the Writing Speed of Children?
Being slow in writing is a very big obstacle in a child’s road to success. Writing is a very important part of exams, doing assignments, and taking handwritten notes. Children tend to get frustrated and lose their motivation to learn if they are not able to keep pace. Hence, right from the initial years, the child's writing speed should be monitored. Writing improves only when a child is able to form the letters correctly. It is essential for all parents to know how to make a child write faster.
How to Improve the Writing Speed of Your Child?
Developing good handwriting needs to be honed during the elementary years, and it has significant benefits. Teaching a child to write faster, though a little difficult, should begin with a positive mindset. Writing is a process, so with continuous training and practice, your child will acquire the skill to capture ideas and organize his thoughts. Your child will gradually learn to set realistic and achievable goals. Eventually, your child will exhibit his depth of knowledge and expertise, and the excitement of expressing stimulating ideas will reflect in his piece of writing.
What You Will Need
To live up to the adage ‘good writing is good thinking’, children need to overcome the roadblocks. Improving handwriting speed of kids is quite a challenge. Pattern-based writing encourages children to write in a natural and organized way. A timed writing system influences children to write more, better, faster. For this, children will need the things listed below:
A soft pencil grip enables the child to write well.
Paper is required to write on.
An alphabet chart will give the child a visual impression of the formation of letters.
Grid paper will make the child’s work more organized.
A stopwatch will help the child to fall into timed writing practice.
Reading journals will enhance the knowledge base to give a better-written output.
A rubber grip on the pen/pencil can develop finger grip and dexterity.
Tweezers will enable the child to improve gross motor skill and improve pencil grasp.
Small objects can be used for writing descriptions.
A ball can improve the grip so that the child is able to write better.
Tips to Improve Children's Writing Speed
Handwriting speed automatically improves if the writing technique improves. Some tips to improve the writing speed are mentioned below:
1. Hold the Pencil in a Comfortable Manner
The ideal way to hold the pencil is the dynamic tripod grip which helps a child to write faster.
2. Do Not Grip the Pencil Too Hard
A conscious check while writing ensures that your child is not gripping the pencil too hard, which can tire out his hands soon.
3. Choose a Proper Writing Technique
While writing, he must use the shoulder muscles and forearm so that writing does not slow down or cramp and tire his hand.
4. Use the Best Writing Implement
He must use the best quality writing implement which can bring about a huge difference in his writing. The implement’s thickness and tip size should be according to his preference to enhance quality.
5. Check His Writing Style
Modifying and simplifying the way your child writes letters can increase his writing speed. The correct size of the letters will enable him to write faster.
Improving the handwriting speed can have notable and significant benefits. Maintaining the right posture, using a good implement and adopting correct writing style are some of the essential aspects to improve upon.
Also Read: Make Essay Writing Easy for Kids Read more
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PCOD and Depression - Not the End of the World, My Life Then and Now
Hi everyone.
Today I wish to write about how my life changed before and after discovering that I had PCOD.
Let me tell you that PCOD is not the end of your life. In fact, I struggled and came out of the depression that comes along with PCOD.
As you must be aware that polycystic ovarian disease can sometimes change your life for the worse.
Let me start from the time when I was in school. I had very shiny, smooth and clear skin. No pimples, no health issues. A very healthy teenager.
One day I noticed very minute pimples all over my forehead. I applied many anti allergic and antifungal ointments. Nothing happened. Day by day those minute pimples kept spreading all over my face, back and neck. Pimples were so many and extreme that my skin was barely visible. I did visit n number of doctors. Kept having medicines too.
None of the renowned doctors suggested a hormonal imbalance. Three years passed and I visited a doc in Lady Harding college. I took a few tests and medicines for a year. Everything changed. My pimples were gone.
I got married at 30. Planned baby at 31 but failed to conceive. Started having problems with periods so I visited a gynaecologist.
I was told that I had PCOD.
As a teenager when I was having acne issues, that was the first symptom of having PCOD.
I was slender always. No other symptom I ever noticed. Regular cycles.
Second symptom was at 31 when I had a bulging tummy and gastric issues.
Nobody ever bothered to get me tested when I was young. We must look for symptoms and visit doc in case there are some noticeable changes in the body.
In my case, people thought that acne is just a phase and nothing serious.
Anyway.
I read about it. Searched every website. I was devastated when I realised that having a baby will be a 50-50 chance. And some never have that chance at all.
I used to cry myself to sleep. Fights every day with husband. And family pressure was bad. People were talking things about us. I changed my eating habits. Nothing seemed to work. Praying to God helped in maintaining peace of mind.
Now What I Did Learn in That Phase
Stop eating junk food. Two or three morsels once in a blue moon won't hurt though.
Discard non-stick utensils. No plastic in everyday use. Use steel utensils. No microwave.
Eat healthy. Vegetables and fruits.
Lots of moong daal. Soup also helps.
Two bananas everyday.
Coco water everyday on an empty stomach.
Sesame seeds and walnuts do wonders. Eat everyday.
Wash cereals a lot than pressure cook.
Include lots of turmeric powder.
Flax seeds and various nuts and berries are a must to eat.
Eat preservative-free food. No canned food. No packaged juices.
Kiwi and strawberry are "power fruits".
Dates and figs should be included in your daily diet.
No curd and pickles at night.
Do pranayam and butterfly asan daily. Walk for 30 minutes daily.
Pray.
Take ur medicines religiously.
It helped me in getting rid of PCOD and a stressful personal life. I was able to conceive after 7 months.
I have a charming little boy of 8 months now.
I wish you all good luck. PCOD Is not the end of life.
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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How to Teach Empathy to Kids - 10 Easy Ways
It takes a conscientious parent to consider ‘teaching’ their child empathy! Empathy may not have been something you were taught in your childhood. In fact, most of us may even believe that empathy is innate and not learned! Fostering empathy and more importantly, coaching your child on the right way to respond to their feelings of empathy is a great way to set the foundation for a compassionate human being to grow on.
Why Is Teaching Empathy To Kids Important?
Empathy helps us see another person’s point of view and feel how they might be feeling. When your child is empathetic, he can make friends easily, avoid fights and find resolutions to conflicts. But it doesn’t stop at that!
Empathy is the core value in Emotional Quotient (EQ) – the ability to recognise one’s own emotions and that of others. Children who grow up with high levels of E.Q are more likely to find academic success, be effective in leadership roles and generally find more happiness and satisfaction in personal relationships later in life.
When Does A Child Learn Empathy?
Children begin to show signs of genuine empathy at 2 years of age and above. For example, a toddler, seeing his mother cry, may bring her a toy he likes playing with, expecting that would make her feel better!
However, empathy isn’t always clear cut to be a positive thing. Sometimes, children do not know how to respond to the empathetic feelings they are experiencing. For example, imagine a child was crying from a stomach-ache he had. Other children may try to console him. Yet another might punch him in the stomach! This is not because he isn’t empathetic per se; it is because he doesn’t know how to show it!
10 Effective Ways To Teach Empathy To Your Children
Nurturing empathy in your child involves a combination of both behavioural training, which continues through life, and the use or cognitive games aimed at toddlers and young children.
1. Be An Empathetic Parent
Raising an empathetic child requires an empathetic parent. An empathetic parent is one who is well attuned to the emotional workings of their child’s mind. When you are easily able to imagine their point of view, it prevents you from snapping at them in times of instant rage. Instead of baring your emotions by meanly displaying them, speak to your child about them. Tell them “You have made me extremely frustrated”, “You have disappointed me”, etc. in a calm tone. This sets their empathetic thought process in motion. Note that a child who is sharply scolded may feel resentment more than understanding.
2. Talk About Feelings
An uninitiated child simply goes through their day feeling happy, sad, angry, tired, etc. without ever stopping to think why or how these feelings came to be or what those feelings even are! It is always good to talk about feelings to your children, teaching them the names for it and training them to identify what their emotions are. It also helps them to hear you speak of what you are feeling.
When a child is able to identify and name their emotions, they are better equipped to identify those feelings in others too!
3. Be A Role Model
Your child takes cues from you on words to speak, grammar, body language, self-restraint and everything else. So it is little wonder that they depend on their observations of you to learn how to treat other people! Treating others with kindness and being understanding towards someone who made a mistake encourages your child to be the same! For example, If you have been brought the wrong order at a restaurant, be polite to the waiter. Later, ask your child how they think the waiter must’ve felt about making that mistake.
4. Teach Empathy For Oneself
In our culture, are simply expected to work hard and follow the rules and traditional familial roles. Very few of us are brought up being told that our feelings are important or that there is any meaning in them. Such a situation can create individuals who suffer in silence throughout life.
In order for us to have empathy towards others, one should first have empathy for oneself. Encourage your child to talk about how they feel and teach them the validity of their feelings. Some feelings, like anger, may not be worth pursuing, while others need to be addressed with action – this is an important lesson that every child needs to learn. Being empathetic does not mean allowing others to take advantage of you or get the better of you while you remain silent!
5. Cognitive Games
Empathy games for children can boost their ability to identify emotions in others. In the Smiley Game, simply pull up the emoticons in your phone and challenge your kid to identify what each smiley is feeling – are they happy or sad, calm or angry, etc. This same game could be played with photos or even with the cartoons they are watching by asking them to identify what a character is feeling.
6. Role-Playing Games
Empathy activities for kids do not always need to be sought out. A lot of games that children, especially girls, play such as Playing House and hosting tea parties for toys naturally put them into the shoes of somebody else. Role–playing encourages them to express their feelings verbally and through actions. You can step in at certain points to ask “What does ‘your character’ feel” or “Why ‘your character’ feels this?” By referring to the character as a third person, the child will feel removed from their own emotions while identifying the emotions of the character – this is the essence of empathy!
7. Identifying With Characters In Books
Reading a book that tells the story of one or more people, is essentially an exercise in empathy! This is why teaching empathy through children’s literature is highly effective. We feel a bond with the character in the pages because we see the ups and downs in their life! After reading the book, ask questions like “Why did you like the character?”, “Was there anyone in the book that you did not like?”, etc. to help the child disassociate their empathetic feelings and see it as a separate entity from their own feelings.
8. Helping Out In The House
Barring age and gender-defined roles, ask your child to help out with household chores – whether it be helping mommy, daddy or the grandparents in what they are doing. More than lending a serving hand, giving them this “responsibility” once in a while will help them see how others spend their days and the troubles they take in keeping up the house!
9. Positive Reinforcement
If you observe your child perform a genuine act of kindness, praise them for it. You shouldn’t go overboard with lavish praise, but only enough to let them know that you observed it and that you appreciated it. You can also discuss the feelings of the person who your child showed kindness to. Do not reward them with something tangible like a toy or a treat for this though – you don’t want them to associate kindness to rewards! Positive Reinforcement is much more effective than the other side of the coin - punitive action - in how to develop empathy in a child.
10. Help Them Identify Themselves As An Empathetic Person
Help your child develop a moral identity by consciously talking to them about it. Encourage them to assess their own actions with the question “what kind of person would do that?” If a child is praised for a kindly act with the words, “You are such a helpful person” (words indicating the type of person they are) rather than “What a kind thing to do!”, (speaking of this one act in seclusion) they are more likely to repeat the positive behaviour.
When your child is empathetic, they can even better gauge how you, the parent, are feeling! Children will naturally try to cheer you up when you are sad, alleviate tension when you are stressed and laugh with you when you are happy. An empathetic child is every parent’s strength. As they grow older, and you with them, they will be your steadfast partners in the journey of life.
Also Read:
Teaching Your Child to Share
Teach Good Manners to Your Kids
Ways to Teach Responsibility to Kids Read more
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Rebuilding Your Relationship after Abuse
An abusive relationship can shatter your belief in love and togetherness. However, with a strong attitude and willpower, you can fill the cracks and move on with life. Rebuilding relationships is worth it if you feel your partner is willing to go the extra mile to undo his mistakes.
Not all marriages are about happily-ever-after. One of the most trying times in marriage is when you find your husband abusively controlling or taking advantage of your faith in him. Physical or mental abuse can destroy what was once a cherished relationship.At such times, it's important to remember that while the pain is immense to bear, there is a road to reconciliation if both of you are willing to make the effort. There will be many challenges in rebuilding a relationship that you will need to address with tender care and a positive outlook.
How to Piece Together a Relationship After Abuse
1. Restart
Marital abuse can really rock a relationship from its foundation. Couples start viewing each other differently, making it difficult to place trust again. What you need for reconciliation is to start looking for respect and honesty. This is even more important when kids are involved as creating a healthy environment for them is imperative.
2. Take Control
If you're thinking about how to rebuild a broken relationship, you need to first redefine the control you once had. This can be achieved by setting up healthy boundaries between you and your husband. Establish what you consider appropriate and inappropriate behaviour and let your partner know.When you start exercising this informed control, your abusive partner will start respecting your choices and will tread with caution. Do remember to take time out with friends every once in a while; it will give you the required relief and support.
3. Make a List
Write down the nd it will become easier to know what needs to be done. If you are too dependent on your partner, make an effort to change this. It could be anything from paying your insurance installments on your own or taking the car for a service. This will help build confidence and keep you well on your path to healing.
4. Opt for Therapy
Rebuilding relationships can be quite daunting after physical or mental abuse. Try seeking professional help to calm your confusion and pain. Although advice from family and friends can be comforting, therapists are trained to understand you, find a solution to your problems and help you overcome abuse through healthy relationship behaviour. A session or two in a week can help you on your journey to loving yourself again and seeing things positively.
5. Indulge in Time Apart
Take some time apart after an abusive episode to "cool-off" and put your thoughts in perspective. Try taking your kids along to stay at your mom’s or a friend's place for at least a month. The space will give you time to weigh all the pros and cons of working on your relationship or, if nothing seems to work, let go.
An abusive relationship can leave you feeling bitter, confused, and hopeless about the future. Take a deep breath or two, and work on redefining the limits in your relationship. Reconiliation can only happen when you include your partner in the healing process. The process can be arduous, but it will be worth it in retrospect. Read more
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Dr Priyanka Kalra has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
9 hours ago
Q. i am 39 week of pregnant and having AFI level of 8 is this normal?and is delivery possible for me?
Dr Priyanka Kalra
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
2 hours ago
A. yes. better to show to specialist always as they get the correct diagnosis. try to avoid self and extra medication that will only complicate this and create more damage to the childdo 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.
Vandana Sharma has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
3 hours ago
Q. please tale me how much dengerous for may 7 days old baby and she was 2.9 kg.
Vandana Sharma
Nutritionist
2 hours ago
A. Hello mom the blood sugar level of baby is quite low , could say hypoglycemia as well .
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
2 hours ago
Q. hlw hospital bag main baby nd mom ke liye kiya kiya le jana chahiye???
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
1 hour ago
A. hospital bag mein baby ke essentials Deni hogi aap YouTube per dekh sakte hain. 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
Guardian of 0 children
1 hour ago
Q. my last period was on 29 February 2024 according to which I am 8 weeks 4 days pregnant but my usg scan shows 7 weeks 3 days
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
1 hour ago
A. For this purpose I’d like to tell you plus -1 or two weeks is completely normal to be seen during ultrasound till the time doctor does not say anything in order of you need to worry about the don’t worry like I said this can be commonly seen in one plus or 2+ weeks or minus weeks is fine
Ashima Malhotra has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 5 months
1 hour ago
Q. Am craving to have a burger at McDonald’s. Am 15 week pregnant.
Is it safe to have
Ashima Malhotra
Mom of a 10 m old boy
16 mins ago
A. avoid it
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 6 months
16 mins ago
Q. It's my 12th week of pregnancy but last night I noticed some bleeding. So, my doctor prescribed Duphaston for 2 weeks. Is there anything to worry about? Please guide me.
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
6 mins ago
A. at present take rest and use medicines as advised by the doctor. 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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