Tag: KIDS

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Lite Blogs Parenting

Naturally connect kids with nature

It will help sharpen their observation skills. Don’t encourage children to pluck flowers or leaves as that would undermine the process of teaching them to respect the environment…writes N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe.

Lockdown life for kids is truly difficult for parents too. Urban lifestyles and heavy dependence on digital technology means children are spending less time with nature, which can affect their mental and physical wellbeing. Children flourish best when allowed to spend more time with nature. Nurturing their love for nature can make them happier because it helps them create a bond of adventure, discovery and beauty with nature. It also makes them sharp thinkers and better innovators by enhancing their observation skills and fuelling their curiosity. Ekta Ohri, founder, Litjoys, shares some life hacks on how to connect children to nature in simple ways:

At Home: Get younger children to help you to water plants, or feed birds. Let them observe the different plants in the house, or the birds that come to visit. Get them to observe not just flora and fauna but even the environment around. Let them see the shape of the clouds, sunrise, sunsets as well as the moon and stars. We might be locked at home right now, but these simple tasks are possible and very enjoyable for young children.

Outdoors: Young children love to collect things and enjoy the tactility of different shapes and textures. Nature offers a rich treasure trove of discovery for them, which can be a wonderful way to begin to introduce them to nature. Let them collect flowers, pebbles, twigs, or even leaves from the ground, and observe the different shapes and textures of these. It will help sharpen their observation skills. Don’t encourage children to pluck flowers or leaves as that would undermine the process of teaching them to respect the environment.

Identifying textures and shapes like this is also good for brain development. As they grow a bit older, take them for nature walks in your complex or parks, where they can observe the different colours and shapes of the trees, point out birds, insects and small animals to them. ‘My Gulmohar Tree’ is a story with real-life photographs that will make children fall in love with trees and greens and inculcate values of respecting nature and protecting our environment. Let them have respect for all living things, from chameleons for their beauty of changing colour to the butterflies and bees.

Travel and Visits: Travel is a great way to get to know nature, whether it’s other cities, beaches or visits to Sanctuaries and Parks closer to your home. Encourage visits to the National Parks, as opposed to only the Zoo. The former lets children observe animals and nature in their natural environment as opposed to behind a cage. Many cities have Butterfly Gardens and Nature Sanctuaries as well as Botanical Gardens, so do plan trips accordingly. Even on the beach, there are many things to observe from the colours of the sea and sky, as well as shells and small sea creatures. By doing small activities children learn better.

For this Litjoys has a Little Collector’s Passport travel game, which is an innovative kids travel scrapbook with stamps and flags stickers booklet through which parents can keep their children constructively engaged in different locations (flights/trains, restaurants, etc) while on holiday. It also helps in keeping kids engaged at home through learning about symbols of 48 countries across the world in a fun way! A great way for parents to develop their children’s observation, cognitive thinking and creative writing skills.

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READ MORE-Nutritious choices for kids

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-Top News COVID-19 India News

Covaxin trials on children set to begin

PM care fund for children of Covid victims

Delhi AIIMS has decided to start the trial drive after the recruitment and clinical trial for single-dose Covaxin for 12-18 age group is over….reports Asian Lite News

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) is learnt to have started screening of children aged 6-12 years for the clinical trials of India’s first indigenously developed Covid-19 vaccine, Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin.

Sources said that the recruitment and clinical trials of the children aged 6-12 years will start from Tuesday. The trial on children aged 6-12 has already started at AIIMS Patna.

Participants would be given the vaccine after their screening report comes. The trial would ensure if the Bharat Biotech jab is suitable for children.

Delhi AIIMS has decided to start the trial drive after the recruitment and clinical trial for single-dose Covaxin for 12-18 age group is over.

After the recruitment of 6-12 year-old children, AIIMS Delhi will be conducting trials for the age group 2-6 years of children. The trials are taking place at 525 centres.

Kolkata: Health workers give the 1st dose of vaccine to the Government workers during increasing numbers of COVID 19 cases in Kolkata 24 May, 2021. (Photo: Kuntal Chakrabarty/ IANS
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The screening of children for the trial of single-dose Covaxin among those aged between 2 and 18 years started at the AIIMS in New Delhi on June 7 after India’s drug regulator had granted permission for conducting the Phase 2 and 3 clinical trials of Covaxin in the age group 2 to 18 years on May 12.

AIIMS Patna, Mysore Medical College and Research Institute in Karnataka have also been selected to conduct clinical trials on children.

Covaxin is being used on adults in India’s ongoing Covid-19 vaccination drive since January 16 this year. The government last week cautioned that even though Covid-19 has not taken a serious shape among children till now, its impact can increase among them if there is a change in virus behaviour or epidemiology dynamics, and said preparations are being strengthened to deal with any such situation.

A national expert group has been formed to review Covid-19 infections in children and approach the pandemic in a renewed way to strengthen the nation’s preparedness, NITI Aayog Member (Health) V.K. Paul had said at a press conference.

“The group has examined signs which were not available four-five months before.”

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Food Lite Blogs Parenting

Nutritious choices for kids

Tomatoes, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, carrots, or spinach are some vegetables to include in your child’s diet…writes Puja Gupta.

Mothers are always worried about nutritional choices for kids. The right food can help you improve your memory, concentration, and brain function. The brain, like the rest of the body, absorbs nutrients from the food we eat. Therefore, it is very important for kids to consume highly nutritious food which are brain-boosters. Dietician Vidhi Chawla suggests some:

Eggs

Filling your child’s breakfast plate with a combination of carbs, protein, and a small amount of healthy fat will help him or her stay energised throughout the day. Eggs are high in protein and as an added bonus they contain choline, which aids memory.

Oily Fish

Oily fish is high in omega-3 fatty acids and beneficial for brain development and health. Omega-3 fatty acids are necessary components of the cell’s building blocks. Fish such as salmon, mackerel, fresh tuna, trout, sardines, and herring are high in omega-3 fatty acids and should be consumed once a week.

Oats/oatmeal

Oatmeal and oats are excellent sources of energy and “fuel” for the brain. They are high in fibre, which keeps kids satisfied and prevents them from snacking on junk food. They’re also high in vitamins E, B complex, and zinc, which help kids’ brains function at their best. Use any topping, such as apples, bananas, blueberries, or even almonds over it.

Colourful veggies

Coloured vegetables are rich in anti-oxidants, which help to keep brain cells healthy. Tomatoes, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, carrots, or spinach are some vegetables to include in your child’s diet. It’s simple to incorporate vegetables into spaghetti sauces or soups.

Milk, yogurt and cheese

Milk, yoghurt, and cheese are high in protein and B vitamins, which are necessary for the growth of brain tissue, neurotransmitters, and enzymes, all of which play important roles in the brain. These foods are also high in calcium, which is necessary for the development of strong and healthy teeth and bones. Children’s calcium requirements vary depending on their age, but two to three calcium-rich sources should be consumed each day. Don’t worry if your child doesn’t like milk; there are other ways to include dairy in his or her diet: When making porridge, puddings, or pancakes, use milk instead of water.

Beans

Beans are a great source of protein and vitamins and minerals for your children. Kidney and pinto beans contain Omega 3 more than any other beans. Sprinkle mixed beans on salad, mash them and spread them on pita pockets, or combine them with shredded lettuce and cheese to make the perfect sandwich filler.

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-Top News Afghanistan Asia News

Countless Afghan kids work on streets due to poverty, war

The report also indicated a 37 per cent increase in the number of women casualties while a 23 percent spike in child casualties compared to last year….reports Asian Lite News

The continued brutal war, insurgency and extreme poverty in Afghanistan have forced countless number of children to resort to child labour and work on streets to earn livelihood for their families, instead of going to school.

Civilians including children are bearing the brunt of war in Afghanistan. A UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) report released in April documented 1,783 civilian casualties (573 killed and 1,210 injured) in the first quarter of 2021 which indicates a 29 per cent increase against the same period of last year, reports Xinhua news agency.

The report also indicated a 37 per cent increase in the number of women casualties while a 23 percent spike in child casualties compared to last year.

Although there is no official statistics on the number of child labour, the number of vulnerable children in Afghanistan, according to local media reports, has increased from 3 million to 5 million.

Omar, 11, is one of the thousands of Afghan children who lost their parents in the endemic war and has been forced to work on Kabul streets to earn a livelihood for his five-member family.

Washing cars in Omid Sabz locality, Omar said the ongoing war has deprived him of going to school.

Afghanistan kids

“I am busy in car washing from dawn to dusk and roughly earn some 150 afghani ($1.9) daily to support my family,” he told Xinhua.

Another boy Abdul Azim, 13, who scavenges garbage buckets on the outskirts of Kabul city, told Xinhua that he was “the only bread earner of the family and have no choice but work and earn something”.

“On average I can earn around 180 afghani ($2.3) everyday and support my family.”

Ghulam Haider Jilani, the deputy for the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, said recently that the government would do its best to solve the problems of child labour in the country.

Jilani said the budget for children protection had increased from 20 million afghani last year to 52 million afghani this year.

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COVID-19 India News

No evidence that next wave will hit children: AIIMS chief

Guleria futher asserted that “Covid appropriate behaviour is key to preventing future waves”, similar to the statement NITI Aayog Member (Health) V.K. Paul made on Monday…reports Asian Lite News.

There is no data, either from India or globally, to show that children will be seriously infected in any subsequent Covid-19 waves, AIIMS, Delhi, Director Dr Randeep Guleria said on Tuesday.

Addressing a media briefing here, he said that “it is a piece of misinformation that subsequent waves of the Covid-19 pandemic are going to cause severe illness in children”.

Noting that 60 per cent to 70 per cent of the children who got infected and got admitted in hospitals during the second wave in India, had either comorbidities or low immunity, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Director said that healthy children recovered with mild illness without need for hospitalisation.

Guleria futher asserted that “Covid appropriate behaviour is key to preventing future waves”, similar to the statement NITI Aayog Member (Health) V.K. Paul made on Monday.

Explaining why pandemics return again, the AIIMS Director said “waves normally occur in pandemics caused due to respiratory viruses; the 1918 Spanish Flu, H1N1 (swine) flu are examples”.

“The second wave of 1918 Spanish Flu was the biggest, after which there was a smaller third wave,” said Guleria. “And as we know, SARS-Cov-2 is a respiratory virus.”



Multiple waves occur when there is a susceptible population and when a large part of the population acquires immunity against the infection, “the virus becomes endemic and infection becomes seasonal like that of H1N1 that commonly spreads during monsoon or winters”, he said.

“Waves can occur due to change in the virus (such as new variants). Since new mutations become more infectious, there is a higher chance for the virus to spread.”

Guleria said that one of the reasons behind a wave can be human behaviour and cautioned that “whenever cases increase, there is a fear in people and human behaviour changes. People strictly follow Covid appropriate behaviours and non-pharmaceutical interventions help break the chain of transmission. But when unlocking resumes, people tend to think that not much infection will happen and tend to not follow Covid appropriate behaviour”.

Due to this, the AIIMS chief said, the virus again starts spreading in the community, leading potentially to another wave.

“If we have to stop subsequent waves, we need to aggressively follow Covid appropriate behaviour until we can say that a significant number of our population is vaccinated or has acquired natural immunity.

“When enough people are vaccinated or when we acquire natural immunity against the infection, then these waves will stop. The only way out is to strictly follow Covid appropriate behaviour,” Guleria added.

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Health Lite Blogs Parenting

Steps to comfort kids in summer

Probably the most important summer tip — more so for Indians baking under the tropical sun. Apply sunscreen early, and often, especially if the children spend time outdoors…writes Siddhi Jain.

Proper caring for kids is a tough task for parents in all seasons. It’s Summertime and temperatures are already soaring close to 40 degrees Celsius. The sun is scorching and humidity is hitting us in the face like a sauna.

Schools are off and while in addition to lockdowns, many children are home because of summer vacations and online classes, but parents still need to ensure protection of little ones from ill effects of the season. Follow these simple tips by Manoj Jain, Director, Scram.in to navigate through these sticky weeks like a pro and keep your children safe and comfortable this summer.

Stick to shade for the tiny tots

Keep newborns, especially those under six months, out of direct and indirect sunlight. Young infants have not developed sweat glands, meaning they have no natural way off cooling off. Add in the fact children’s body temperatures can rise up to five times faster than adults, and babies have no way to tell you they’re uncomfortable! The perfect way to prevent heatstroke is by keeping them in the shade – under a tree or an umbrella – even when outdoors.

Make hats mandatory

A lightweight wide brimmed hat is perfect to keep your little ones cooler when they’re playing outdoors. It not only blocks out the brightness, they protect otherwise exposed hair, eyes, face, ears and neck from sun damage and harmful UV rays.

Cover up in comfort clothing

Stick to natural cotton outfits for your precocious tots this season. They’ll likely be sweating buckets while running around causing mayhem, and loose, light clothing not only allows their skin to breathe, but also absorbs moisture from the skin, preventing pesky itchy heat rashes.

Hydrate! Hydrate! Hydrate!

Keep their water bottles filled and handy at all times. Not only does drinking water often replenish lost fluids due to excessive sweating, taking a few gulps every now and then makes them feel instantly cooler even from the inside.

Slather on the SPF

Probably the most important summer tip — more so for Indians baking under the tropical sun. Apply sunscreen early, and often, especially if the children spend time outdoors. Sunscreen protects your little ones’ delicate skin from the harmful (and sometimes cancer-causing) ultra-violet rays of the sun. Go for a brand that offers a minimum sun protection factor (SPF) of 30, contains zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, has broad-spectrum coverage (against UVA and UVB rays), and is water-resistant. Make sure to lotion them up at least 30 minutes before sun exposure, and don’t forget to top it up every few hours, as a sunscreen’s SPF is only fully effective for up to two hours after you put it on.

Keep a close eye

Lastly, remember to always lookout for signs of heat illness. No matter our best efforts, sometimes life and kids can get the better of us. So pay attention to these tell-tale warnings that can signal an oncoming problem. Signs of heat exhaustion in children may include elevated body temperature; cool, clammy skin; goosebumps; fainting, dizziness or weakness; headache; increased sweating; increased thirst; irritability; muscle cramps; and nausea and/or vomiting.

If your notice any of the above, it’s best to immediately bring your child into the shade, cool them off with wet towels or sponges, and encourage them to drink fluids with electrolytes. Don’t hesitate to call your doctor when in doubt!

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-Top News Canada

Remains of 215 kids found in Canada, UN urges probe

The discovery of the remains at the former Indian residential school in Kamloops in British Columbia led to calls on Tuesday for officially designating it as “genocide”….reports Asian Lite News

As Canadians fear discovery of more graves of indigenous children after the remains of 215 kids were found from the grounds of a former native school, the UN has called for an “exhaustive investigation” into the tragedy.

“Remains should be identified and forensic studies carried out to ensure proper identification of remains. Without this, healing is not possible,” the United Nations Human Rights Council told Canada on Wednesday.

The discovery of the remains at the former Indian residential school in Kamloops in British Columbia led to calls on Tuesday for officially designating it as “genocide”.

Indian-origin Opposition leader Jagmeet Singh of the New Democratic Party said these schools were started with the aim of a “genocide” of indigenous people.

“These residential schools were not schools; they were institutions designed to eradicate and eliminate Indigenous people. They were institutions that were designed to perpetuate a genocide,” he said.

Angry indigenous leaders wanted the Pope to apologise as Catholic missionaries ran these schools with government support.

Canada’s first Prime Minister Sir John Macdonald too came under attack as he started these schools in 1883 and ordered Indigenous kids forcibly removed from their “savage” parents and placed in these schools.

Macdonald’s statue was removed from the city centre in Charlottetown in Prince Edward Island.

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, speaking in a House of Commons debate on the tragedy, expressed fears that there could be more unknown graves of indigenous kids at other Indian residential schools.

“We know that the discovery in Kamloops is part of a larger tragedy and that from coast to coast to coast, many children forced into the residential school system disappeared without a trace.

“Today, some of the children who were found in Kamloops – and who have yet to be found in other places across the country – would have been grandparents or great-grandparents. They would have been elders, knowledge keepers and community leaders. They are not. And that is the fault of Canada.”

Former Senator Murray Sinclair too feared more unknown graves of indigenous kids who disappeared from the residential schools.

“We know there are lots of sites similar to Kamloops that are going to come to light in the future. We need to begin to prepare ourselves for that,” he said.

In all, 139 Indian residential schools ran across Canada where over 150,000 indigenous kids were placed till the last was closed in 1996.

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Lifestyle Lite Blogs Parenting

Get rid of mom guilt with simple ideas

Self-respect and confidence are feelings that well up from within when you make time to do the necessary internal work…writes N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe

Motherhood has been glorified in most of the communities. Culturally, we view motherhood through a rainbow coloured lens of numerous emotions and feelings, which makes it look easy, satisfying, and beautiful. While it is a beautiful creation of nature, sometimes we get blindsided by the weight on the shoulders of overwhelmed mothers.

Often caught with the roles and responsibilities of motherhood, women find it hard to navigate through the journey of developing their individuality. This results in a physical and emotional fallout, lack of self-respect and sometimes even losing confidence.

Samira Gupta, a life coach and Image Consultant said, ‘if mothers are not happy with themselves, they will not be able to make everyone around them happy. They have to learn to fill their cup first’. Here are some tips to build the lost self-respect and confidence:

Get rid of the cloud of expectations – Most mothers spend their lives fulfilling others’ expectations. In the quest of making others happy they forget to honour themselves. This leaves them stressed, unfulfilled, un-happy, angry or sad. When we feel such negative emotions, we tend to transmit them into our families.

Work on your internal well-being – Self-respect and confidence are feelings that well up from within when you make time to do the necessary internal work. This could mean fulfilling your dreams, developing your professional life, travelling, or even taking the time in the morning to rejuvenate your soul.

The feel-good factor – Feeling good about yourself can happen through big social validations or through daily personal appreciation. This feeling can be felt in as little as 5 minutes in a day. You don’t have to go on a week-long retreat or spend a lot of money in a massage parlour. Journaling, meditating, exercising- whatever works for you, do it every single day. It changes everything.

Take care of yourself for your children – Our children watch every single thing we do, they are watching this too. They will model your behavior from what they observe. If you are a person who actively takes care of them, loves them, they will do that too.

Nurture yourself – It is a motherly instinct to nurture, and the one person they should nurture throughout their lives is themselves. Coach Samira always advocates for mothers to engage in non-negotiable self-prioritization and to get rid of the ‘mom-guilt.

When you indulge in these practices, a sense of elation will beam out of every cell of your body and transmit to your families. Naturally, you will feel happier, more grounded, and calmer.

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-Top News COVID-19 India News

‘Moving Covid shots to India could benefit children’

According to a Hindustan Times report, the UK has administered at least one dose of Covid-19 vaccine to more than 55 percent of the country’s population and on Saturday, the National Health Service (NHS) opened bookings for people aged 32 and 33 to get their first Covid shot…reports Asian Lite News.

Moving Covid-19 vaccines from Britain to countries like India could benefit children back home, according to an expert on the immunisation advisory committee for the UK government, media reported.

Speaking at BBC Breakfast, Adam Finn, member of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, stressed that the ongoing pandemic is a global crisis and the government needs to “think globally and not just domestically.”

“It may well be better for children in this country if vaccines are used to stop outbreaks like the massive outbreak in India which then get imported into this country and provide a threat to them and their schooling,” he was quoted as saying.

According to a Hindustan Times report, the UK has administered at least one dose of Covid-19 vaccine to more than 55 per cent of the country’s population and on Saturday, the National Health Service (NHS) opened bookings for people aged 32 and 33 to get their first Covid shot.

The latest expansion of vaccination eligibility would cover about 1.1 million people, according to the NHS. Finn said that it remains unclear whether children will need vaccination, it was reported.

The government Friday launched plans for a new “Global Pandemic Radar” to identify emerging COVID-19 variants and track new diseases around the world.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) will lead an implementation group, supported by the Wellcome Trust, to launch this new international partnership to identify, track and share data on new COVID-19 variants and monitor vaccine resistance in populations, according to a statement from the British government.

Covid-19 teaches Indian armed forces new lessons in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief.(Photo India Narrative)

The “Global Pandemic Radar” is expected to be fully up and running with a network of surveillance hubs before the end of 2021, the statement also said.

“We need to build a system of disease surveillance fit for the 21st century, with real-time data sharing and rapid genomic sequencing and response,” said British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in the statement.

“A ‘Global Pandemic Radar’ will ensure that we are vigilant to new variants and emerging pathogens, and can rapidly develop the vaccines and treatments needed to stop them in their tracks,” he said. (with inputs from ANI/Xinhua)

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Social Media Tech Lite World News

Facebook urged to scrap ‘Insta for kids’

The “Instagram for Kids” app will allow children under the age of 13 to begin using the popular photo-sharing app…reports Asian Lite News

A coalition of 44 US attorneys general signed a letter to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg urging Facebook not to launch “Instagram for Kids”, citing mental health and privacy concerns.

The “Instagram for Kids” app will allow children under the age of 13 to begin using the popular photo-sharing app. However, the attorneys general urge Facebook to abandon its plans to launch this new platform.

The letter lists reasons and cites research to show that Facebook should not go forth with its plans to develop and market a kid-friendly version of the Instagram app, reports GSMArena.

Facebook. (File Photo: IANS)
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Among the reasons listed in the letter are — Facebook’s poor history of protecting childrena’s privacy and data on the platform, research showing that social media can be harmful to children on physical and psychological levels, children do not have a fully-developed understanding of privacy and can easily be targeted by anonymous predators.

In the release published by the coalition head Attorney General Maura Healey, she cited Zuckerberg’s dismissal of the idea that social media is harmful to children.

The release points out there is much strong evidence and research that contradicts Zuckerberg’s denial.

Currently, children under 13 are not allowed to have an Instagram account unless it is explicitly written in the profilea¿s description that the account is being managed by a parent or guardian.

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