INTERRACTIVE SESSION 1

CIRCULAR: WINSOME MANNERS

When is it time to begin teaching manners to your child? By what method should manners be taught? In what order should manners be taught? These and many other questions will be discussed in this blog.

The best way to teach manners is for the parents and others in the child’s environment to exhibit those manners consistently. We each are, to some degree, a reflection of the behaviors that have been portrayed to us over our lifetimes. So, it is best to start teaching your child manners from the moment of his birth. He will not, from the moment of birth, have the capacity to understand, for example, that it is not appropriate to hit others, but his exposure to the no-hitting rule will gradually come to make sense to him. To expose him to the rule after a period of time in which hitting was allowed will seem arbitrary and false to him. In sum, from the time of your child’s birth, you should exhibit the manners that you wish to instill in him, and you should provide him age-appropriate information about the manners that you are instilling.

Determining what information is age-appropriate can be a judgment call. Many experts believe that, from the moment of your child’s birth, you should be speaking to your child as if he has the capacity to understand simple concepts. The logic behind the theory is similar to the logic used above: your child will not, from the moment of birth, have the capacity to understand the simple concepts of the spoken word, but his exposure to the spoken word will gradually come to make sense to him. Newborns exhibit no social missteps because of their limited interaction. However, from the first moment that your little one grabs someone else’s toy or swats at the family dog, it is time to speak to your as-yet inarticulate child about what behavior is expected. Your child may not quite grasp the words you are speaking, but he will understand your behaviors (your giving the toy back to its original owner, for example). Ultimately, he will link the words you’ve spoken with your behaviors, and the meaning of your words will become more clear to him. As your child’s social interaction develops, the opportunity for more social missteps increases. So, a child may go from stealing a toy to failing to say thank-you to burping (intentionally) in his sister’s ear to poor sportsmanship on the soccer field. What information is age-appropriate is, then, determine by the speed of your child’s development of social interaction.

Of all the information in this blog, the most important thing to remember when teaching your child manners is that, when there is a difference between what your child sees you do and what your child hears you say, he will usually exhibit your behaviors (despite that being in conflict with what you say is appropriate). So, it is essential that you and your nanny or childcare provider exhibit the manners that you want your child to exhibit.

Your child’s rude; attitude towards this behavior isn’t always intentional. Sometimes kids just don’t realize it’s impolite to interrupt, pick their nose, or loudly observe that the lady walking in front of them has a large behind. And in the hustle and bustle of daily life, busy moms and dads don’t always have the time to focus on etiquette and manners.

Now, the question is when is it time to begin teaching manners to your child? By what method should manners be taught? In what order should manners be taught? These and many other questions will be discussed in this interactive sheet between school and parents.

The best way to teach manners is for the parents and others in the child’s environment to exhibit those manners consistently. We each are, to some degree, a reflection of the behaviors that have been portrayed to us over our lifetimes. So, it is best to start teaching your child manners from the moment of his birth. He/she will not, from the moment of birth, have the capacity to understand, for example, that it is not appropriate to hit others, but his exposure to the no-hitting rule will gradually come to make sense to him. To expose him to the rule after a period of time in which hitting was allowed will seem arbitrary and false to him. In sum, from the time of your child’s birth, you should exhibit the manners that you wish to instill in him, and you should provide him age-appropriate information about the manners that you are instilling.

Determining what information is age-appropriate can be a judgment call. We at Winsome believe that, from the moment of your child’s birth, you should be speaking to your child as if he has the capacity to understand simple concepts. The logic behind the theory is similar to the logic used above: your child will not, from the moment of birth, have the capacity to understand the simple concepts of the spoken word, but his exposure to the spoken word will gradually come to make sense to him. Newborns exhibit no social missteps because of their limited interaction. However your child may not quite grasp the words you are speaking, but he will understand your behaviors. Ultimately, he will link the words you’ve spoken with your behaviors, and the meaning of your words will become clearer to him. As your child’s social interaction develops, the opportunity for more social missteps increases. So, a child may go from stealing a toy to failing to say thank-you to burping (intentionally) What information is age-appropriate is, then, determine by the speed of your child’s development of social interaction.

Of all the information in this sheet, the most important thing to remember when teaching your child manners is that, when there is a difference between what your child sees you do and what your child hears you say, he will usually exhibit your behaviors. So, please try to exhibit what you want to see in your child behavior, this can be inherent to the child.

Manners and Etiquette for Children:

Good manners are essential for every child’s self-confidence and success in life. Instilling good manners in child will feel like an almost impossible task. But don’t despair, just keep at it.

 

  • Lets start with respect, always show respect to your elders and always get the permission from your elders, always wish to elders.
  • Pray to God every morning.
  • Always say Good morning to your parents & teacher.
  • Always say “hello, hi” to your classmates.
  • Keep your thing at proper place.
  • Always say sorry for your mistakes, and don’t hurt anyone.
  • Don’t interrupt when two person and elders is speaking.
  • Always say, “Excuse me” while sneezing or cough.
  • Brush twice a day.
  • Always help to others.
  • Don’t quarrel/fight with your classmates, brothers & sisters.
  • Don’t use abusive words
  • Always be well groomed.

 

INTERRACTIVE SESSION II

CIRCULAR: MONTESSORI WEEK & ACTIVITIES.

If a child cannot learn in the way we teach, we must teach in a way the child can learn. Our teaching pedagogy focuses on “personality over percentage”

We at Winsome, believes that children should have liberty to choose and act freely within an environment created by us and would act spontaneously for optimal development.

It is helpful to begin thinking of education as something that begins right at the very start of your child’s life. We believe every child is a natural artist and a moral philosopher. Ask any child a question and a majority of times he throws up unexpected answers because his mind knows no barriers. At winsome, we encourage their creativity and inquisitiveness. We believe that children learn best through their own experiences. No knowledge of the world appears to be own until they internalize it and re-express it in their own way. A teacher’s role is simply to boost a child’s inborn desire to learn and help child undergo as many experiences as possible.

But as you would have known by now, it takes a great deal of patience while being with student. For satisfying progress of your child, it is imperative that teachers and parents are kept informed and involved at all levels so that the student excels in all areas of learning and development. As a parent, it is important that your child thrives in warm, safe and learning environment – and it is this peace of mind you would always be assured of when you bid good-bye to your kid.

“When we speak of a free child, we mean one following guidance of that nature which is powerful within him.” That is to say that freedom should not be interpreted as lawlessness, but rather as a manifestation of self-direction.

Apart from our teaching methodology, we believes in Montessori education and its adaptation in our curriculum as a learning mean and development of the student. Through the Montessori way of teaching, children thrives to learn about environment, value his/her study and enjoy the curriculum of the school.

So, for concluding this sheet, I just want to convey that we are making more efforts to impart Montessori way of teaching in the school and for implementing that, Montessori week is started from Monday, dated 27th of July to 1st of August.

Please comment on the sheet, so that we can also learn and get to know about your opinions towards child learning through Montessori way of teaching.

Montessori way of Teaching:

  • Always keep your home uncluttered and tidy.
  • Make the children do his/her work by own.
  • Make your child obedience towards environment, tidiness & hygiene.
  • Creative learning through charts sheets & colors.
  • Use of different modes for counting, addition etc.
  • Recognition through different activities & learning
  • Life based activities i.e. fishing, sports etc.
  • Pattern drawing & learning.
  • Social interaction with neighbors & friends.
  • Use of creative equipments & adaptation of creative learning rather than chalk & duster method.
  • Gardening & play ground activities like plantation, sand, mud activities.
  • Videos, audio visual classes, sounds, rhymes etc.

There are many more activities, which is the part of Montessori learning which will adapt by us definitely. Look forward to read your reviews and comments.

INTERRACTIVE SESSION III

UNDERSTANDING PARENTING

Children tend to be oblivious at times about the selfless efforts put in by their parents for them. We can instill a sense of gratitude in children from an early age, without guilt – tripping them. When an adolescent uses cheeky or downright rude responses to communicate with you, there are several strategies that a parent can adopt, to ‘dismantle’ this kind of behaviour, without escalating a bottle. Parents today are loading their kids with everything they didn’t have – opporunities, things, holiday, exposure etc. They are putting out good money and ferrying kids to this coaching class and that camp, in the hope that they are preparing them for future competition, and teaching them lessons in application and achievement. But in this overdrive to ensure that kids excel at everything they do, many are commiting a grave parenting mistake: failling to prepare kids em otionally and mentally for the adult world. What you provide your kids simply has to be in your role as an enabler, not a puppeteer. This is an urgent change in perception that you need to put in place, or else you run the risk of your children dodging your grand schemes and chooding to do nothing.

– Be a good role model.

– Love them and show them through action.

– Practice kind and firm positive parenting.

– Be a safe haven for your child.

– Talk with your child and help their brain integrate.

– Reflect on your own childhood.

– Pay attention to them and their own wellbeing.

– Do not spank or hit, no matter what.

KEY FACTS ABOUT GOOD PARENTING:

– Learning to apologize as well as to forgive, is an important life skill.

– Anxious to make achievers out of their kids, many parents are on gross overdrive.

– Beware of smothering your kids with your own hopes and fears.

– Confide in your children with caution; it may be too much of a burden for them.

– Teach your kids how to tackle bullies – neither with violence nor with cowardice.

– Pointing to other children as ‘good examples’ serves no purpose – it only belittles your child.

– A counsellor can step in when the parent child relationship needs support and direction.

– Genuine feedback, rather than harsh criticism, works wonders.

– One parent playing the good cop and the other playing bad cop isn’t quite how disciplining works.

– Emotional intelligence is the key to personal development, stable relationships and meaningful careers.

– Saying good bye is never easy, but it doesn’t have to be traumatic.

– Encourage your kids to bond with other adults – and watch them grow in many more dimensions.

– Respect and affection for the elderly makes a better person out of a child.

– Children thrive when there is harmony and hope in the home.

– Give the children the space and time to imagine… and watch their creativity flourish.

– Teach your kids the natural rules, the give and take, of a real conversation.

– Sibling rivalries are inevitable, but they can be kept in perspective.

– Teach kids to become truly generous, charitable and compassionate.

– Most kids today are far too supervised – their time is accounted for, minute – to – minute.

– One of the most challenging tasks of parenting is teaching children not to lie.

– There is and unstated, deeply beneficial aspect to family meals – food for body and soul.

– The good things of life are free, actually.

– How to say ‘No’ without having a mutiny on your hands?

– The only child does not have to be lonely child.

– The forgiving of a child’s personality takes place in the family foundry.

– Allow your child emotional private space, or else he/she will build their own fortress.

– Find ways to pull up your children so that they see their mistakes, but are not publicly humiliated.

– Your child’s future doesn’t have to be signed and sealed on the basis of exam results.

– A child’s self- image influences his social behavior and growth, at all levels.

– Help your children deal with their sexual curiosity in a healthy and guilt – free way.

– Foster genuine interest in the world around them and watch your children’s social skills grow.

– Being grateful and expressing gratitude are key life skills.

– Parents needs to keep updating their role, as their kids grow and mature.

– However young they are , children pick up on even covert inter personal violence in the home.

– Eating disorders are on the rise; parents needs to keep a watchful eye.

– Teach children to take both victory and defeat with equal grace.

– Handling a ragging toddler is every parent’s nightmare; some strategies are essential.

So take a deep breath, count ten, do whatever it takes for you to be able to grin and bear this phase of life. And have faith that what your child is doing or not doing right now is not real indicator of the total overall personality that will emerge. Your child too will blossom in a more holistic way and develop a happy, all – round personality,. Secure in the feeling of real abundance rather than scarcity.

NUTRITION FOR LIFE

Early childhood is an important time to establish healthy eating patterns. A balanced diet is key to healthy eating habits because it provides children with the nutrients they need to grow. Parents who get their children to adopt healthy eating habits from a young age can have a positive influence on their kids’ dietary habits later in life. Over the years, researchers have found evidence that eating behaviors and meal habits in early childhood have an impact on children’s food preferences and eating patterns in adulthood. As a parent, you are familiar with the struggle of making your fussy child gulp down a glass of milk loaded with taste enhancers; sneak in healthy vegetables in dishes and push them to eat fruits; blackmail them into eating another serving of rice or an added chapati. The struggle doesn’t end there. You have to ensure they have enough water in a day to keep their bowel movements strong. With so much on the plate (literally!) it’s possible for mothers to miss out on a lot of healthy ingredients that should ideally be a part of their kids’ diet.

WHAT GOES WRONG?

The brain reaches full development stage by the age of five. From the age of five, the child’s physical growth starts for which proper blood circulation and iron supplements are necessary. Parents nowadays go easy on their children’s diets. The normal diet of children comprises processed foods like biscuits, sandwiches noodles (both refined and fried), candies and chocolates. Excess of refined foods and transfats in children’s diet harms their physical development at an early age. Children do not get proper vitamins and important nutritional constituents. This is also the reason there is an increase in cases of gastrointestinal problems and other gut-related issues. The diet of children in the growing stage should chiefly comprise vitamins and minerals. Doctors recommend a well-balanced diet comprising of essential nutritional components like calcium, proteins, irons and vitamins helps the body to achieve unhindered growth till the child attains puberty.

Essential nutrients for a child:

1. Protein

2. Fruits: – Encourage your child to eat a variety of fresh, canned, frozen or dried fruits — rather than fruit juice. If your child drinks juice, make sure it’s 100 percent juice without added sugars and limit his or her servings. Look for canned fruit that says it’s light or packed in its own juice, meaning it’s low in added sugar.
3. Vegetables: – Serve a variety of fresh, canned, frozen or dried vegetables. Aim to provide a variety of vegetables, including dark green, red and orange, beans and peas, starchy and others, each week.

4. Grains: – Choose whole grains, such as whole-wheat bread, oatmeal, popcorn, quinoa, or brown or wild rice. Limit refined grains such as white bread, pasta and rice.

5. Dairy: – Encourage your child to eat and drink fat-free or low-fat dairy products, such as milk, yogurt, cheese or fortified soy beverages.

Aim to limit your child’s calories from:

1. Added sugar

2. Saturated and trans fats

Does you kid suffer from ‘hidden hunger’?

Ever heard of hidden hunger? Your child may be suffering from it. Sometimes foods may appear to be adequately nutritious and may be thought to provide sufficient carbohydrates, fats, and protein, but they may, in fact, be lacking in certain micro-nutrients. What we may presume is a food rich in nutrients may not be so. A diet, which may apparently seem nutritious enough may sometimes lack in important micro-nutrients. Children fed on these diets may therefore actually have deficiencies of vital micro-nutrients, and may therefore be ‘hungry’ in a certain sense. Not being apparent, this hunger is referred to as Hidden Hunger.” The most alarming bit is that this keeps children from achieving their physical and mental potential.

Diet during illness:

Never starve the child during illness. Feed them energy-rich cereal-pulse diets with milk and mashed vegetables. Feed small quantities at frequent intervals. Give plenty of fluids during illness. Use oral re hydration solution to prevent dehydration during diarrheal episodes.

What to put in healthier school lunches?

Try planning a healthy lunch box to start the school year. Talk to your children and discuss what they would be happy to have included. The following food items can be sent in lunch box-

  •  Fresh fruit and salad.
  •  Fresh crunchy vegetables with chapattis
  •  Flat bread/fruit bread
  •  Vegetable Sandwich
  •  Food items other than junk food

    As the parent, it’s your job to:

  •  Set regular meal and snack times that work for the whole family.
  • Share mealtimes and eat with your children.
  • Offer a balance and variety of foods from all three food groups at mealtimes.
  • Offer food in ways they can manage easily. For example, cut into pieces, or mash food to prevent choking in younger children.
  • Help your children learn to use a spoon or cup so they can eat independently.
  • Include your child in age appropriate food preparation and table setting.
  • Avoid using dessert as a bribe.
  • Serve healthy dessert choices, such as a fruit cup or yogurt.
  • Show your child how you read labels to help you choose foods when shopping.
  • Avoiding fast food restaurants shows your children the importance of enjoying mealtime as a family, while eating healthy home cooked meals.