Videos you might be interested in
Videos you might be interested in
Videos you might be interested in
Suggested for you
15 Fun Learning Activities for Kids
Spending time with your children is the best way to bond with them. While you and your child can decide what activities to do together, you can also make it a point to do a few fun activities that also double up as learning activities. This way, your child will learn things that are important while also having fun.
Educational Activities for Your Children
There are many educational activities for kids at home that you can introduce your children to. Remember to not force these activities on your child, she should be naturally excited about the activities. Try to suggest activities that suit your child’s personality and interests.
1. Twister Math
Take the old classic of twister and give it a numerical twist. Write down numbers on pieces of paper and stick them on each coloured circle. When you call out a number, you child must place their hands and feet on a combination of numbers that will equal the number by any mathematical operation - addition, subtraction, multiplication or division. For example, you call out the number 12, then your child can place his hands and feet on three and four which when multiplied gives you 12.
2. Tree Lessons
This is an activity that will help your little one learn the basics of natural science. Take your child for a walk and pick up a few interesting leaves and ask her to do the same. Once you get home, look up the leaves on the internet and identify which tree the leaves come from. Your child can maintain a scrapbook keeping all the leaves she has collected.
3. Egg-experiment
This is a great way to explain a few laws of science to your child. You will need a peeled boiled egg, a glass bottle with a round opening like a milk bottle, a small cardboard paper, and some matches. Light the paper and place it in the bottle of the clean bottle. Immediately place the egg on the opening of the bottle. As the paper burns itself out, the resulting vacuum will suck the egg into the bottle. This activity is a sure fire way to get your child excited about science.
4. Bird Feeder
If your child is interested in birds then you can help her make her own bird feeder. Take any old carton box and open up the two larger sides. String a strong rope through the top and suspend the feeder outside on a tree branch or hook. Place a seed mix at the bottom of the box and wait for the birds to visit.
5. Rain Man
This is an experiment that can tickle any child’s curiosity. Take a few tablespoons of water and add some food colouring to it. The richer the colour the more exciting will the results be. In a larger glass, fill water up to two-thirds. Top the rest of it with plain shaving foam. Add the coloured water to the shaving foam drop by drop using a dropper. When the foam gets saturated, the coloured water will ‘fall’ into the water below the shaving cream like ‘rain’.
6. Colour Caterpillar
Here you can teach your child the colour theory while also having lots of fun with your child. You’ll need five clear containers, water, and primary dyes. Use red, blue and yellow food colouring to get the primary colours. Place the water containers in a row with the coloured water alternating with the plain water. Take paper napkins and roll into a cylinder and put one end into the coloured liquid and the other into the plain water. Connect all the containers in this manner. Soon, you will see that the plain water is changing colours and is becoming a mix of two primary colours. In this way, you will get green with the blue and yellow, and orange with the red and yellow. You can also arrange the containers in a circle with a plain water container between the red and blue to get purple.
7. Volcanic eruptions
A simple yet delightful activity is building sand volcanos. You’ll need sand, a pipe, vinegar, and baking soda. Build a volcano around the pipe with the opening of the pipe in the centre. Fill up the tube about halfway to add more stability. Pour the baking soda into the pipe. Get your child to pour the vinegar into the opening for the eruption. You can also mix food colouring with the baking soda to get different coloured ‘lava’.
8. Secret Codes
Every child will love the idea of having a secret language only they and their friends can understand. Once you explain the basic principle of codes, your children can go ahead and create their own. You can begin by creating a key for your children which is what they will use to break the code. One of the simplest codes is to assign numbers to the alphabets. So, 1 will signify the alphabet A and 13 will signify M. They can also select a particular book and choose words from there by writing down the page number, paragraph, and word.
9. Slime
Which kid wouldn’t be fascinated with slime? Now, you can teach your kids how to make slime right at home while also learning how different things react with each other. Place half a cup of white adhesive in a bowl and add a small amount of liquid detergent to it. Mix it well. If the mixture is still too sticky, then add a bit more detergent. Your slime is ready!
10. Stylish Coding
It’s never too early to get into coding. You can teach your child about coding by making a necklace that spells your child’s name with the binary numbers – 0 and 1. Select two types of beads where one stands for 0 and the other for 1. Using the code, your child can string together the beads to spell out her name.
11. Star Gazing
One of the most magical experiences a young child can have is a visit to the planetarium. Your child will be exposed to the mysteries of the universe and how the earth plays a role in it. You can also help your child set up a telescope at home if she is interested.
12. Journal
Encourage your child to keep a diary at an early age. This will teach your children to not just chronicle the things in their lives but will help them explore their creativity. They can use stickers, draw or even add photographs in their journals. This is also a great way for children to keep in touch with their emotions and also process events.
13. Cook
Cooking can be a fun way for you and child to bond while they also learn an important life skill. Get them to help you with meal preparations by adding fun elements to the tasks. Depending on the age of your child, you can choose the complexity of the task. On special days, you can ask your child to decide what to cook for the whole family.
14. Maze
This is a great activity for your young child. Using just a chalk, you can draw a maze on the ground large enough for your child to fit in. Give your child a car and ask her to get out of the maze without crossing any solid lines. In this activity, you can encourage your child to think and use her imagination.
15. Smiley T-Shirt
Let your child explore her artsy side with this fun activity. Start with an old plain T-shirt. Mix a cup of flour with water till you get the consistency of ketchup. Pour this mixture into a squeeze-y bottle and draw a smiley face on the T-shirt. Let this dry in the sun. Use fabric spray paints to paint the shirt. Once dry, remove the flour mixture and you’ll be greeted with a smiley face.
As you can see, there are many kids learning activities that your child can enjoy where learning doesn’t seem like a chore. There are many additional educational activities that you can introduce your children to, like the Intellikit activity box. This activity box has eight activities, ten worksheets, age-appropriate flashcards and an exciting storybook for loads of fun and learning! Unlike toys that kids eventually get bored of, the Intellikit offers multiple activities that can be performed over and over again, honing your child’s developing skills.
The more you encourage these activities, the more your child’s imagination is activated! More learning, more fun!
Also Read: Best Out of Waste Craft Ideas for Kids Read more
Check out this new Memory
Pooja Lohia
Mom of a 1 yr 7 m old boy
1 min ago
#supermom
1 Likes
0 Comment
Suggested for you
Kevin Name Meaning and Origin
The name Kevin was widely popular in our previous generation. It was a common name among our fathers and uncles. However, with time, the popularity of this name significantly declined. While the name was popular from the 1940s to the 1970s, it lost its popularity and usage in the present times. This does not do justice to this unique name.
What Does Kevin Mean?
Parents consider various factors when it comes to naming their children. The meaning of a name and its pronunciation are some of them. The meaning of Kevin is “handsome” and “beautiful at birth” in Irish. In Celtic, the name means “handsome” and “lovable,” whereas, in Scottish, the name means “good looking” and “fair.” In America, the name denotes the “little one,” and in Gaelic, the name means “gentle” and “lovable.” Therefore, the name has a beautiful meaning in several cultures.
Origin
The name Kevin is of Irish origin where it comes from the Irish name “Cóemgein.” This name came from two words- “Cóem,” which means kind, handsome, or gentle, and “Gein,” which means birth. The popularity of the name descendent from the seventh century Saint named Kevin, who was the founder of a scholastic monastery near Dublin. He was made the city’s patron saint, resulting in the name’s popularity.
Gender
Male
Pronunciation
Keh-vin
Ke-vihn
Kev-in
Syllables
2 syllables
Length/Letter
5 letters
Name Variations/Spellings
Numerous variations to a name suggest the trends among different cultures, religions, and nationalities. The Kevin name variations denote how the name transcends barriers and cultures. Therefore, some of the other spellings for Kevin and their origin are:
Name
Origin
Caoimhín
Irish
Kevyn
English
Kyven
Puerto Rican
Kévin
French
Cóemgein
Irish
Kevonne
English
Kevan
Irish
Kevis
Gaelic
Kevon
Irish
Keveon
Gaelic
How Popular Is the Name Kevin?
The popularity of the name Kevin has been gradually diminishing over the last decade. The name experienced significant popularity from the 1940s; however, it began losing its charm in the present time. The Kevin popularity index states that the name was among the top 50 list from 2000 to 2009. As derived from the data from Social Security Administration, the name slipped from the list as mentioned above from 2010 where it ranked 58. The fading of the name continued where it ranked 69 in 2012, followed by 70 in 2014.
Despite the beautiful meaning of the name, the Kevin baby name ranking has considerably decreased. According to the SSA data, the downward curve of the name’s popularity suggests it’s not being used by parents as much as it used to be. The name further declined in 2016, when it ranked 90, followed by 101 in 2017. This name has ranked 149 in 2019 and has surpassed 150 by ranking 156 in 2020. Therefore, the dwindling popularity of the name implies its considerably less usage. However, the younger generation is focused on naming their children with meaningful names. Therefore, this name has the probability of making a comeback in the future.
Interest in Kevin - Worldwide
trends.embed.renderExploreWidget("TIMESERIES", {"comparisonItem":[{"keyword":"Kevin","geo":"","time":"2011-01-01 2021-09-24"}],"category":0,"property":""}, {"exploreQuery":"date=2011-01-01%202021-09-24&q=Kevin","guestPath":"https://trends.google.com:443/trends/embed/"});
According to the world name trends, the interest in the name Kevin has never remained consistent. Its rank has always been over 40, which indicates its popularity, although it has dipped in September and October 2020. The interest in the name was the most in April 2013, followed by May 2021, which shows the name’s potential towards the upward direction.
Interest in Kevin - US
trends.embed.renderExploreWidget("TIMESERIES", {"comparisonItem":[{"keyword":"Kevin","geo":"US","time":"2011-01-01 2021-09-24"}],"category":0,"property":""}, {"exploreQuery":"date=2011-01-01%202021-09-24&geo=US&q=Kevin","guestPath":"https://trends.google.com:443/trends/embed/"});
As per the US trends, the interest in ‘Kevin’ has had a mixed response over the last ten years. The name reached its highest peak in April 2013 and dipped the lowest in April 2020. The popularity of the name has increased and decreased; however, it has maintained a rank over 20.
Popularity of the name Kevin
URL: https://www.ssa.gov/cgi-bin/babyname.cgi
Where Is the Name Most Searched?
Search trends of Kevin - Worldwide
trends.embed.renderExploreWidget("GEO_MAP", {"comparisonItem":[{"keyword":"Kevin","geo":"","time":"2011-01-01 2021-09-24"}],"category":0,"property":""}, {"exploreQuery":"date=2011-01-01%202021-09-24&q=Kevin","guestPath":"https://trends.google.com:443/trends/embed/"});
The search trends of the world show that Ireland is the country which has shown the most interest in the name. The name is also popular in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, followed by Australia.
Search trends of Kevin - US
trends.embed.renderExploreWidget("GEO_MAP", {"comparisonItem":[{"keyword":"Kevin","geo":"US","time":"2011-01-01 2021-09-24"}],"category":0,"property":""}, {"exploreQuery":"date=2011-01-01%202021-09-24&geo=US&q=Kevin","guestPath":"https://trends.google.com:443/trends/embed/"});
The top five cities in the US where the name Kevin is the most searched are Louisiana, the District of Columbia, Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Massachusetts. This indicates the name being the most popular in these cities compared to the rest of the states in the US.
Middle Names That Go With Kevin
Selecting a middle name for your child should be done with proper consideration. A middle name is as important as the first one and should maintain consistency with the first name. Therefore, some of the double names with Kevin include:
Edward
Reed
River
Gray
Wesley
James
Ray
August
Jude
Allen
Lawrence
Griffin
Milo
Cassidy
Wilder
Chase
Ansel
Marshall
Hartley
Alistair
Famous People Named Kevin
Often parents choose the name of their child based on their favorite celebrities. Hence, popular people have an exceptional influence on the names of the future generation. Some of the famous people called Kevin are:
Celebrity Name
Profession/Famous For
Kevin Dillon
American actor
Kevin Kline
American actor and singer
Kevin Hart
American actor and comedian
Kevin Hingerl
German footballer
Kevin Reynolds
Canadian figure skater
Kevin Costner
American actor and filmmaker
Kevin Moran
Irish footballer
Kevin Rolland
French freestyle skier
Kevin Ayers
English songwriter
Kevin Moon
Canadian singer and artist
Similar Names & Last Names
There are various alternatives to a name with the same meaning. Similarly, baby names like Kevin have different variations which have similar meanings. Therefore, some of the similar other names for Kevin and family names for Kevin are:
Similar Baby Names
Suitable Family Names
Keane
Johnson
Kenny
Nolan
Bellamy
Smith
Tevin
White
Aden
Taylor
Nordin
Brown
Kenzie
Martin
Milos
McKenzie
Calix
Jonas
Corwin
Davis
Names That Sound Like Kevin
There are a broad set of names that rhyme with the name Kevin. This suggests the trend of the name among different cultures, nationalities, and religions. Therefore, some of the names that rhyme with Kevin include:
Gavin
Mavin
Devin
Nevin
Sevin
Bevin
Evyn
Kellan
Kelvin
Maeve
Devlin
Evin
Melvin
Raelyn
Levin
Trevin
Sibling Names Related to Kevin
Selecting appropriate sibling names that go with Kevin is essential to regulate uniformity among your children’s names. This can ensure all the names complement each other resulting in a beautiful flow of names. Hence, some of the sibling names for Kevin are:
Sister Names for Kevin
Brother Names for Kevin
Lucy
Liam
Violet
Jonathan
Scarlett
Kai
Caroline
Benjamin
Ava
Lucas
Grace
Noah
Hazel
Isaac
Zoey
Aiden
Riley
Leo
Aria
Asher
Nicknames for Kevin
Nicknames are the names given by loved ones, such as family members or close friends. They often have a touch of humor and can be used in informal settings. Some of the popular nicknames for Kevin are:
Kev
Kevvy
Keva
Kevlar
Kevs
Ken
Vin
Vinny
Vinnie
Kevi
Kev-Kev
Kas
The name Kevin has resulted in a downward slope in the last few years. Despite having significant popularity, the name has dropped from the top 150 name list in the US. However, the name is still consistent among the top 200 baby boy names because of its meaning. This trendy name can make a comeback in the future, considering its meaning and widespread influence.
Sources/References
Social Security Administration: https://www.ssa.gov/cgi-bin/babyname.cgi
Kevin Name Popularity in the United States: https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=2011-01-01%202021-09-24&geo=US&q=Kevin
Kevin Name Popularity Across The World: https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=2011-01-01%202021-09-24&q=Kevin
Kevin Name Interest in the United States: https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=2011-01-01%202021-09-24&geo=US&q=Kevin
Kevin Name Interest Across The World: https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=2011-01-01%202021-09-24&q=Kevin Read more
Suggested for you
Schooling for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Children with autism have the right to learn and get the same educational opportunities as all the other children. In fact, education and learning opportunities may help them develop new skills like, speech, language, communication, social interaction, etc. Schooling also helps them in holding professional careers and living their life independently and with dignity.
Being Autistic does not mean that a child has to forego his right to live and lead a simple life. Autistic children too, with appropriate help and guidance, can gain education and excel in life like other children. However, parents of autistic children often face a lack of knowledge when it comes to various options for schooling. This, coupled with lack of awareness, creates a stigma around these children and often ends up denying them the opportunities to grow in life. The truth, however, is not just special schools, even mainstream schools can be autistic child friendly and provide equal opportunities for these children as normal children.
Schooling Options Available for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Many children with ASD, enter mainstream primary schools, be it private or public, just like other normal children. However, it should be noted that simply being able to function in a mainstream classroom doesn’t mean that autism-related disabilities don’t hinder them in any way. Many of these children quietly struggle and find school difficult as they face problem understanding what teachers expect of them or become the object of social ridicule.
Factors To Consider Before Choosing a Mainstream School for your ASD Child
1. Assess Your Child’s Needs
Get a neuro-psychological evaluation of your child done, which can yield information concerning intelligence, language learning and communication skills, attention, health, vision, hearing, motor skills, recognition of facial expressions, learning and memory. This assessment will help the school in understanding your child’s needs and modify the curriculum, obtain the services of a special needs teacher, etc.
2. Access To Specialist Teachers
A child with ASD may find it difficult to cope up with the curriculum, homework or teacher’s instructions. Furthermore, these kids need extra care and attention, which they can get from educators who are specially trained.
Hence, parents should find out if the school has specially trained educators who can offer individualised help to the child. Teachers may modify the curriculum to facilitate easy learning, give different homework to your child, and/or form small groups where children can learn at their own pace without being pressurised.
3. Access To Special Services
Your child with ASD may need additional services along with the traditional classroom learning, like physical, speech and language, or psychological therapies. Hence, find out if the school provides those services.
4. Accessibility of Staff
You need to be able to talk to the school staff about your child’s progress on a regular basis. Hence, finding out if the staff is available and accessible for regular communication or whenever you have concerns regarding your child is very important.
5. Visit Schools
Visit schools and find out the following information before you take the decision of enrolling your child in any one of them:
Understand the school’s education plans for children with special needs to decide how relevant it would be for your child. Also, find out how often the plans are updated.
Talk to parents of children with ASD to find out their experience of the teachers, support staff and the readiness of the school to address concerns.
Does the school adapt to the changing needs of children with ASD as they grow and develop?
Does the school have the facility of arranging for classes specifically for students with ASD? This means that apart from some lessons in mainstream classes, your child will get more specialised training and support in specialist classes.
Observe children during the lunch break or play time to know how other children behave with children with ASD.
6. Special Schools
It is not always possible for a child with ASD to be able to cope up with the demands of a mainstream school. A child with special educational needs requires the teaching facilities and resources of a special school. Such schools have education programs to fit the specific needs of children with ASD.
7. Private Schools
These schools have individualized education programs that are designed based upon the evaluation of a child’s disability. The school staff hold meetings with the parents to understand a child’s abilities, problem areas and needs, and then establish a program that suits the child’s needs the best.
8. Home-Schooling
Sometimes, parents may decide to home school their child for reasons like lack of a good special needs school in the vicinity or if they feel their child’s particular academic or behavioural needs will not be correctly met in a school. However, if you choose this option, you will still need to provide ample opportunities to your child where he can learn and practise his communication and social skills with children of a similar age.
Earlier, there was a lack of good educational opportunities for children with ASD, because of which these children grew up to be dependent on others. However, with more awareness, early and intensive intervention, more and more children are receiving appropriate education, that not only helps them in holding professional careers, but also allows them to live their life independently and with dignity. Read more
Suggested for you
“He’s The One Spoiling Her!” Mommy Mira Rajput Pours Her Heart Out In 7 Motherhood Confessions
Being a mommy isn’t an easy job – not for our moms and grandmoms, not for us, not for celeb moms always in the limelight. Sometimes, it seems to us that the rich and famous have it incredibly easy; raising babies is simpler when you have help and adulation from the rest of the world. However, deep inside the heart, every mother is just the same – all she wants is to protect her baby, to maintain a strong bond with her husband, and also, somewhere, to keep her own identity intact. Mira Rajput, who got married to Bollywood actor Shahid Kapur in 2015, became mother to daughter Misha last year.
In her journey so far, Mira has suffered a good amount of media glare and criticism. Whether it was about her remarks on stay-at-home-moms versus working moms, or about enjoying her role of a homemaker, she has tasted plenty of bashing online. Amidst all this, however, she too is just another mom and holds nothing dearer to her heart than her baby.
In a recent interview, Mira opened up about her experiences of motherhood, and made some honest confessions about raising baby Misha.
Pregnancy & Motherhood Confessions Shared by Mira Rajput
1. “I Did Not Read Any Parenting Books”
The moment you announce your pregnancy, you start getting book recommendations too – books on diet and health, books on caring for the baby in the womb, books on parenting. While there is no doubt that books can be very helpful in preparing one for motherhood, it is also true that they can be confusing and overwhelming – especially when the advice is contradictory.
Mira preferred not to read any parenting books and relied instead on her mother and sister for advice. For this young mommy, this seemed to be quite enough preparation – and indeed, nothing quite like getting it from real moms, no?
“I didn’t read any books. My family, my sisters, my mom, everyone gave me so much advice, and the best advice I actually got was ‘Don’t read any books. Listen to yourself, listen to your body’. My sisters are moms themselves, and they gave me very practical advice. I read nothing because I didn’t want an overload of information and I didn’t want to get stressed.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQ-UcpeldsP/?utm_source=ig_embed
2. “I Don’t Want to Give [Misha] Kale and Quinoa for Dinner”
Today, Indian moms have access to the complete global cuisine – we can pick from among organic foods, farm-fresh produce, and baby foods the world uses to feed their children. However, the best option for little ones is simple, homemade fare, and all of us moms know it. Mira too prefers to keep Misha’s diet simple.
“I think the diet should be something that’s easily doable especially when you’re a child. I think it’s better to keep it simple. (What if) I’m not able to take it forward if I’m travelling or if I’m at somebody else’s house? So you can give them dal and rice, or you can give them roti, dal and sabzi, but you can mix it up! You face challenges along the way, but you just have to manoeuver through them.”
3. “I Know Why Misha Loves Her Upma With Nimbu”
They say the cravings the mom-to-be has during her pregnancy decide what the baby will grow up to like. Science has also proved that a baby’s food preferences start getting shaped right from the womb. As per some recent studies, your baby can discern full-on flavours using their senses of smell and taste as early as 21 weeks! In Mira’s case, this sure seems to be coming true!
She says, “My craving was lots of Indian Chinese, spicy food, masala… that’s why [Misha] loves her upma with nimbu, and that chocolate that Shahid sneaks in every now and then. I see her having something and I ask him ‘What have you given her?’, and they both have a smirk on their faces. ”
Mira and Shahid have already started their daughter on a journey of cherishing food and relishing wholesome, simple fare. We think this is a wonderful habit to start early in life!
“I think food is something that one should have a happy association with. And that’s an association we want to build now. So it’s something she should look forward to, she should enjoy and it’s something she should really relish.”
4. “I’m The Strict One; He’s The One Spoiling Her”
Little babies are so adorable, how can anyone stop themselves from showering them with love and spoiling them to bits? But all parents know that balance is important in life, right from the beginning. And this is something parents can achieve together. In every household, there is the strict one, who ensures the child gets her food and naps on time and sticks to healthy eating. There is also the lenient one who loves to tamper with these schedules and sneak in little treats now and then!
Mira confesses that in her home, while she is usually the strict one, Shahid is the one who spoils his daughter no end. But at the end of the day, they have managed to create a wonderful balance.
“Shahid and I take turns. Most of the time I’m the strict one, and most of the time he’s the one spoiling her. He’s the one sneaking in the chocolate, or giving her a little sip of his morning drink. But both of us just like to have fun with her. We want to enjoy every experience with her.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BU2HgEIAxPL/
Shahid as a dad is very hands-on, he wants to do as much as he can, at times I ask him to take it easy and relax. He is always so excited to spend time with Misha. He is a little paranoid when it comes to keeping things clean around Misha, and she is just like her dad, she loves looking at herself in the mirror!”
5. “Breastfeeding is an Extremely Fulfilling Experience”
Mira also shared her experience of breastfeeding her daughter, and said it was a very fulfilling, gratifying experience. We are sure this is a sentiment to which all of us mothers who have breastfed their babies can relate. Feeding your baby your own milk is one of nature’s best gifts. While not all of can nurse our babies, owing to medical problems or other personal reasons, doing it if possible is indeed a gratifying choice.
“I’d like to share from my personal experience, is if you can, and if it’s possible, breastfeed your child. I think it’s the biggest gift you can give your child, it’s the biggest blessing a mother receives, to pass on to her child, it’s an extremely fulfilling experience, it’s very gratifying. The bond that you have with your child is something that can’t be replaced. I made sure that I did it.”
6. “Becoming a Mom Has Made Me Value My Mother”
One sureshot thing that maternity does for everyone – it establishes just how a wonderful a person our mom is! In the daily chaos of life, we often take family members, especially our mother, for granted. But in giving birth and learning to care for a little baby, we realize the sacrifices and compromises our mothers have made for us. It makes us value her in a whole new light.
Mira says about becoming a mother, “It’s made me value a lot of things that I took for granted. It’s made me value my mother, made me value my parents, it’s made me value my husband so much more, and I think it’s made me a much happier persona. It’s made me a much more wholesome person.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQPoGo-j4bg/?utm_source=ig_embed
7. “Your Relationship with Your Child Should Be One of Friendship”
Mira is a young mom and had her daughter Misha when she was only 22 years old. Handling the stress of motherhood – both emotionally and physically – is a strenuous task for every woman, and this was the case with Mira too. She confesses that the mantra of being calm and trying to be friends with your little one has helped her manage many of the obstacles in her journey so far. Indeed, it is crucial to try and enjoy the experience of raising a baby, come what may; these days will never return.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BU2Xuhjl6gq/?utm_source=ig_embed
“If you’re happy, your baby is going to be happy. When you’re feeding your child, if you’re calm and happy, that goes to your child. (So) Be calm, yes, but definitely have fun! Your relationship with your child should be one of friendship, and you should enjoy the experience.”
With little Misha’s first birthday around the corner in August, Mira is busy making birthday plans. She is not planning to throw a party, but instead organise a family picnic with her sister's kids, her parents and Shahid's parents. “I think birthday parties at such a young age, the child itself doesn't know what's happening and it gets very boring. I don't want to put her through that and neither does Shahid and I think it's a memory that all of us are going to enjoy. We want to celebrate her birth and keep it simple."
Our best wishes to mommy Mira for her parenting journey ahead! Read more
Suggested for you
Anxiety in Dogs - Causes, Symptoms and Remedies
Similar to humans, dogs also experience fear and anxiety. While fear is a response to an external threat such as an object or a person resulting from previous unpleasant experience, anxiety is an anticipation of an unknown danger in the future that is imagined. Anxiety can affect the physical and mental health of a dog and how it relates to you and the world around it. Here are ways on how to figure out if your dog has anxiety and what to do about it.
What Causes Anxiety in Dogs?
According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, there are several factors that cause anxiety in dogs. The most common ones are:
1. Fear
Anxieties related to fears can be triggered by loud noises, strange objects, strange animals and people, visual stimuli such as umbrellas or hats, strange or new environments, car rides, visit to the vet’s clinic, unknown surfaces such as wooden floors or lawn etc. Although these things seem inconsequential to us, if a dog has had a frightening experience with any of the above, they can become anxious.
2. Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety is often the cause of unruly behaviour in dogs. It affects nearly 14 per cent of dogs. They are normally unable to find comfort on their own when their owners leave them alone or they are separated from their family members. The anxiety causes them to behave in undesirable ways such as urinating or defecating in the house, destroying items in the house or furniture and barking.
3. Age-Related Anxiety
As dogs age, they are affected by problems such as cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS). It affects their learning, perception and memory similar to how Alzheimer’s disease affects humans. Their mental decline can cause them anxiety.
Types and Signs of Anxiety in Dogs
Some of the types of anxiety in dogs include:
Mild Fears: Signs of fear include withdrawal, tail tucked, trembling, reduced activity, hiding or passive escape behaviours.
Panic: Panicky dogs display active avoidance or escape behaviour and sudden, out-of-context motor activity that is potentially injurious.
Typical signs of sympathetic autonomous nervous system activity are dog anxiety diarrhoea.
Other Signs of Anxiety Include
Aggression towards people or other animals
Urinating or defecating inside the house
Panting or drooling
Destructive behaviour
Depression
Barking for long periods
Pacing
Restlessness
Repetitive or compulsive behaviours
What is Separation Anxiety in Dogs?
Separation anxiety occurs when pet parents or guardians leave their dogs alone while they are away from home. It’s a fairly common problem and often manifests in the dogs becoming destructive at home when the pet parents are away. They chew up the furniture or couch, bark, howl excessively or whine regardless of whether their guardians are gone for 5 hours or 5 minutes. Separation anxiety gets triggered when dogs become upset over the absence of their guardians or the people they are attached to. Some dogs suffering from this condition become agitated with dog anxiety whining when their pet parents prepare to leave. Some become depressed prior to their pet parents leaving and some even try to prevent them from leaving.
Possible Causes
There are many causes that lead to separation anxiety, some of them include
A change of family or guardian. This can happen when they are abandoned or surrendered to a shelter or given to new guardians.
Moving to a new place such as a new house or a new city can make them anxious.
A sudden change in the schedule when the dog is left alone for longer periods of time. For example, a guardian who works from home changes job and now has to be out for 8 hours a day.
The sudden absence of a family member, either due to moving away or death can trigger separation anxiety.
Symptoms
Here are some of the common symptoms of separation anxiety in dogs:
Urinating and defecating when their guardians aren’t around is common among dogs with separation anxiety. If they do it in front of you, the house soiling is probably not related to separation anxiety.
Dogs barking and howling when left alone or separated from the guardian is also a sign. It can be confirmed if they howl only when left alone and not by anything else.
Digging, chewing or destruction in the absence of the guardian can be a sign as well. Dogs often chew windows sills, door frames or dig at doors when they feel separated. They can also destroy household objects and these behaviours often result in self-injury of some kind. Broken teeth, damaged nails, scrapped paws are commonly seen.
Some dogs try to escape from a place they are confined to when they feel separation anxiety.
Pacing and trotting along a fixed path or pattern when left alone.
How to Diagnose Anxiety in Dogs?
When you see many of the above behaviours of anxiety in your dog, the veterinarian will first look to rule out other conditions that might be leading to those behaviours such as thyroid or brain disease. Toxic substances such as lead could also be leading them to behave in those ways. These can be ruled out with blood tests.
If the vet diagnoses a simple fear, phobia or anxiety, it can be treated with prescribed medication. The vet might also make recommendations based on the individual dog’s case such as the fear trigger, and behavioural techniques that can alleviate the dog’s anxiety.
How to Calm an Anxious Dog?
Before you start treating your dog for anxiety, you need to understand what is causing them to become anxious. Are they anxious about being left alone? Is it loud noises? Travelling or sudden change in the environment? Different conditions require different approaches. Here are five dog anxiety remedies for the most common anxiety issues.
Exercise is not only a stress reliever for humans, but also for dogs. There are two things that exercise accomplishes for a dog with anxiety. First, a good workout stimulates the production of serotonin, a feel-good neurotransmitter in the brain that improves their mood and makes them feel confident, just like in humans. Second, exercise is a good release for all that pent up energy that can exacerbate anxiety. A game of fetch, running along with you or a hike up a hill can help them stay well exercised and is one of the best dog anxiety treatments there is.
When certain situations such as fireworks or thunderstorms or large crowds make dogs nervous, distraction tactics work well on them. By distracting your dog, the focus is shifted from the stressor to something they are familiar with or find comforting. Although it’s not an ideal training situation, giving them a treat for commands like sit, lie down or roll over or their favourite toy will ease their anxiety. Dogs that are highly motivated by food will show the best results with this technique as they begin to associate frightening things with highly valued rewards. This makes their anxiety trigger more tolerable.
A compression wrap or thundershirts as they are more commonly known are popular among many dog owners. It’s a garment that snugly fits around your dog in a swaddling way to apply a gentle but continuous pressure on the nerves to calm their feelings of anxiety. Some find it very useful while travelling or in the midst of heavy noise to keep their dogs comfortable. Although there isn’t any definitive research to back it, some people swear by it. The compression wrap works on some dogs and others aren’t benefited from it.
A relaxing massage can work wonders for dogs, just as it does for humans. Massages that use long slow strokes have a soothing effect on the nerves which helps them calm down. A massage technique by Linda Tellington-Jones called TTouch has gained popularity among many pet owners for its benefits. It uses circular massage movements using fingers and hands all over the dog’s body. It is also well documented that massaging dogs have a calming effect on both the dog and the owner.
The last option that can be tried is dog anxiety supplements available at pet stores. It is better to consult the vet before you pick one up, even the ones with herbal composition.
How to Prevent Anxiety in Dogs?
It’s difficult to predict if your dog can develop anxiety, however, there are ways to ensure that they grow up without developing any anxiety related problems. Here are some of the things you should try.
1. Learn Their Body Language
The first step to tackle this problem is to learn how to read your dog’s body language. Knowing when your dog feels scared or uncomfortable and how it responds to such situations will help you avoid experiences that can be negative to your dog.
2. Socialize Your Dog Properly
A dog that is well socialized is afraid or anxious about fewer things. Introducing them to new people, other dogs, new animals, places and experiences will help them in not developing an exaggerated threat response down the road.
3. Obedience Training
Obedience training in dogs is a great tool for managing or preventing anxiety. It helps to lay the foundation for trust and a healthy relationship. A dog that is well-trained socializes easily and experiences new things without having anxiety.
4. Exercise and Nutrition
Regular exercise is important for the dog’s physical and mental well-being. A dog that is well stimulated through exercise is less likely to pick up undesirable behaviours. Good nutrition is just as critical to support this development so the dog’s physical and mental needs are taken care of. If the dog still develops anxiety, this can help in knowing which area the dog needs to help the most.
5. Situation Avoidance
When your dog is positively diagnosed with anxiety and you know the trigger factors, you can avoid such situations to protect your dog. For example, if your dog gets anxious around other dogs, you should avoid taking them to dog parks. If the situation that triggers anxiety cannot be avoided, you can take precautions such as body harnesses, leashes, basket muzzles etc to prevent dangerous situations such as dog anxiety biting.
Anxiety can be potentially experienced by all dogs. With good training, socialization and calming methods, it is possible to ease their anxiety and improve their condition.
Also Read:
How to Maintain Pet Hygiene at Home
DIY Dog Food Recipes to Try at Home
Tips While Travelling with Pet Read more
Suggested for you
Aaloo Matar Parantha
The Aaloo matar parantha is a complete meal in itself. It is filling and can be a great snack during the cold winters. Kids love mashed potatoes and this recipe makes use of just that. Serve a milder version with a dollop of ghee to your baby or toddler.
Serves
Preparation Time
Cooking Time
2 people
10-15 Minutes
5 Minutes
Ingredients
For the stuffing
1 cup boiled and mashed potato
1/2 cup boiled and mashed peas
1 big onion finely chopped
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp salt
1 or 2 finely chopped green chillies (optional)
1 tsp garam masala (optional)
Salt to taste
For the dough
2 cups wheat flour
1/2 cup water to knead
Salt to taste
Method
Step 1
Knead the dough with little water and salt. Set it aside.
Step 2
Heat a little oil in pan, let the mustard and cumin crackle.
Step 3
Add the finely chopped onion and chillies to this a saute till the onion turns translucent.
Step 4
To this mixture, add the mashed potatoes and peas and fry for another minute or two and set aside.
Step 5
Avoid chillies if you are feeding the parantha to your baby. Add garam masala for the older members of the family.
Step 6
Now, divide the dough into equal parts.
Step 7
Roll out one of the balls with a rolling pin.
Step 8
Place 1 tbsp of the stuffing in the flattened dough and fold the sides into a small packet.
Step 9
Again, apply light pressure and roll out the stuffed dough.
Step 10
Cook both sides on a pan with a little butter or ghee.
Step 11
Serve with curd or tomato sauce.
Nutritional Information
Calories
209 K cal
Proteins
13.3 g
Fats
14.4 g
Carbohydrates
5.8 g
Cholesterol
19.3 mg
Sodium
337 mg
Potassium
105 mg
Tip: For frying, add approximately 10 grams of fat per serving at 9 Kcal/gm of fat. Read more
Rashmi has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
4 hours ago
Q. I used prega news pt kit. first I got the faint line. and day after tomorrow, another time I used prega news pt kit but I got negative. what does it mean? whether I am pregnant or not?
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 8 m old girl
3 hours ago
A. I think it’s better that you have a sonography with your doctor because this way even I cannot suggest you because you’ve got both the test so how can we sure about what the result is going to be going to be for you to check with your doctor regarding this as sonography can actually clear the picture for you
Rashmi has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
4 hours ago
Q. #asktheexpert
what does it mean if a faint line was followed by negative line?
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 8 m old girl
3 hours ago
A. Saint Line usually means positive only but for further more if you want to go ahead with a clarity on that then you can get a beta HCG on an ultrasound with your doctor because one line is usually visible and second is faint right so it is positive
Rayan has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
3 hours ago
Q. the product didn't received today
Rayan
Mom of 2 children
2 hours ago
A. Hello mam, please check the track the order section. You may get help from Fc wiz. The reason for delay in delivery can be provided.
Rayan has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
3 hours ago
Q. my product didn't received today
Rayan
Mom of 2 children
2 hours ago
A. Hello, Check the status of the product on the page you have placed the order.
If the delivery date is crossed, you may check your SMS in your firstcry registered mobile number.Delay in delivery date reason may be sent by Firstcry team.
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
2 hours ago
Q. hello,
Mera pregnancy ka 9th month 1 hfte me complete ho jaega jb se 9th month start hua hai mujhe 2 bar labour pain jaisa pain feel hua but wo kuch hi time baad shi ho gya. iss condition me kya mujhe kya krna chahiye?
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
2 hours ago
A. aapko Apne doctor se jaanch karva lijiye aur advise follow kijiye. 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
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
2 hours ago
Q. Mera pregnancy ka 9th month 1 hfte me complete ho rha hai lekin 9th month start hote hi abhi tk 2 bar labour pain jaisa feel hua hai but wo kuch time baad khud hi theek ho jata hai aisi condition me mujhe kya krna chahiye?
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
2 hours ago
A. Shayad false pains ho sakte hain jaanch karvani hogi. 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
Check out this new Memory
Shivani Deepak Rana
Mom of a 4 m old girl
New Memory
#supermom
0 Likes
0 Comment
Check out this new Memory
noureen
Mom of a 1 m old girl
New Memory
#stylishbaby
0 Likes
0 Comment
Check out this new Memory
noureen
Mom of a 1 m old girl
New Memory
#supermom
0 Likes
0 Comment
Check out this new Memory
noureen
Mom of a 1 m old girl
1 min ago
#supermom
0 Likes
0 Comment
Tell us more about yourself get More Personalised
- Infant0 to 6 Months
- Baby6 Months to 2 Yrs
- Toddler2 to 4 yrs
- Kids4-6 yrs
- Big Kids6+ yrs
- Expecting
- Trying to Conceive