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7 books for developing a reading habit this summer 1. “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle (Ages 1-3) “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle is a beloved children’s book that follows the journey of a caterpillar as it transforms into a beautiful butterfly. This book is a great choice for children ages 1-3 because it is a simple yet engaging story that teaches important concepts such as counting, days of the week, and healthy eating habits. The colorful illustrations and interactive pages also make it a fun and stimulating read for young children. Overall, “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” is a classic book that is both educational and enjoyable for young readers. 2. “Corduroy” by Don Freeman (Ages 2-5) “Corduroy” by Don Freeman is a classic children’s book that has been beloved by generations. This heartwarming story follows the adventures of a small teddy bear named Corduroy who is searching for his missing button. The book teaches important lessons about friendship, kindness, and the value of being oneself. With beautiful illustrations and a charming storyline, “Corduroy” is sure to captivate young readers and inspire their imaginations. It’s a must-read for any child’s library. 3. “Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak (Ages 3-6) “Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak is a classic children’s book that should be read because of its imaginative story, beautiful illustrations, and valuable lessons about emotions, creativity, and the power of imagination. It follows the journey of a young boy named Max, who sails away to an imaginary land where he meets wild creatures and becomes their king. Through Max’s adventures, children can learn about the importance of expressing their emotions, embracing their creativity, and finding their own inner strength. The book is a timeless masterpiece that has been beloved by generations of readers and is sure to inspire children’s imaginations and creativity. 4. “Charlotte’s Web” by E.B. White (Ages 6-9) Charlotte’s Web” is a classic children’s book that has captivated readers of all ages for generations. This heartwarming story follows the unlikely friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a spider named Charlotte, who comes up with a plan to save Wilbur’s life. With themes of friendship, loyalty, and selflessness, “Charlotte’s Web” is a timeless tale that teaches important lessons about compassion and the value of life. It is a must-read for anyone who loves animals or simply enjoys a well-written, heartwarming story. 5. “Harry Potter” series by J.K. Rowling (Ages 8-12) The “Harry Potter” series by J.K. Rowling is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a captivating story filled with magic, adventure, and memorable characters. It’s a timeless classic that has captured the hearts of readers of all ages and has become a cultural phenomenon. The series is not only entertaining but also teaches valuable life lessons about friendship, bravery, and perseverance. Whether you’re a child or an adult, the “Harry Potter” series is sure to transport you to a world of wonder and leave you spellbound. 6. “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” series by Rick Riordan (Ages 12-16) Percy Jackson and the Olympians” is a highly engaging and entertaining young adult fantasy series that combines Greek mythology with modern-day settings and characters. The books follow the adventures of Percy Jackson, a demigod with ADHD and dyslexia, as he navigates through dangerous quests and battles against mythological monsters and villains. The series is filled with action, humor, and relatable characters, making it a perfect choice for readers of all ages who enjoy fast-paced, exciting storytelling with a touch of humor and mythology. Additionally, the series has valuable messages about friendship, loyalty, and personal growth, making it a great option for young readers to learn and grow from. 7. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (Ages 16-18) “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee is a classic novel that offers a powerful and poignant exploration of race, class, and justice in the American South during the 1930s. It follows the story of a young girl named Scout Finch and her family as they navigate the social and political realities of their small town. The novel is a masterful work of fiction that offers readers a deeply moving and thought-provoking examination of issues that are still relevant today. It explores the complex nature of prejudice and the courage it takes to stand up for what is right, even in the face of overwhelming opposition. Overall, “To Kill a Mockingbird” is a must-read for anyone interested in literature, history, or social justice. It is a timeless masterpiece that continues to resonate with readers of all ages and backgrounds.

Miracles of Mindfulness Mindfulness is the key to waking up to the inner workings of your kid’s mental, emotional, and physical processes. What is Mindfulness? Mindfulness is the basic human ability of being aware of your thoughts, your inner emotions and physical sensations. It enhances your awareness and enables you to experience “the now”. Mindfulness helps raise your consciousness about your surrounding environment with which you can observe and analyze better. Consciously paying attention to your thoughts, feelings and surroundings makes you more playful, improves your focus and concentration, maximizes your enjoyment and helps you wind down for a relaxing night’s sleep. Tips on how you can Teach your children this amazing life skill: Introduce your kids to Mindful Meditation – Regular practice of mindfulness meditation has benefits for their physical as well as their mental health. Restrict their exposure to Screen Time – Exposure to social media and online entertainment reduces the attention span of children. Body Scan to Strengthen Focus –This practice demands your kid’s attention to focus on different parts of their body in a systematic way, starting from their feet, all the way up to the muscles of their face. It is designed to help develop a mindful awareness of bodily sensations, and to relieve tension when possible. A Basic Awareness of Breathing Practice – This practice involves being completely aware and conscious about your breathing. This practice will help your little once enhance their mind-body connection and nervous system regulation. Teach them Self-acceptance – Lack of self-acceptance can hold your child back in every aspect of their life. Self-acceptance increases their confidence and can enable them to reach their full potential. Mindfulness as medicine Being mindful can act as medicine for your kid if he/she is: Facing feelings of anxiety/depression. Distracted or finding it hard to concentrate in class. Stressed. Having a hard time practicing self-compassion. Struggling with overeating or excessive snacking. Always leading towards negative emotions. Not able to socialize. Finding it hard to move on from a tragic past. As your child spends time practicing mindfulness, they’ll probably find themselves feeling kinder, calmer, and more patient. These shifts in your kid’s experience are likely to generate changes in other parts of their life as well.

7 domains for the development of a child Human nature is the consequence of the complex connections we possess. These connections trigger various emotions and phycological retorts in us. Every connection comes with a certain logic that occurs in diverse segments. These segments are like different departments that carry out certain operations for the smooth functioning of our body and mind. These segments are also called domains, and each domain is in charge of a few activities. Since human personality is a reflection of these domains, paying special attention to each domain is essential. This nurturing has to happen from a very early age to bring out the best in the child and help them achieve the highest growth potential. The education model or the family environment plays a significant role in the evolution of domains. Now let us dive into knowing domains and the role they play in a child’s progress. Physical Mental Social Spiritual Emotional Creative Cognitive Physical – Physical domain incorporates physical awareness and movements. This domain controls everything related to physical activities. Mental – Organization of information, analysis of situations, and prioritizing tasks are a few of the activities that this domain does. Social – Social domain assimilates communication skills, coordination, and acknowledging one’s responsibility. Spiritual – Connection with oneself, connection with nature, and the power of connecting with others is the spiritual domain. Emotional – Empathy, passion, care, and expression come from the emotional domain. Creative – Embodies imagination and innovation. Cognitive – Perception, memory, judgment, and reasoning skills come from the cognitive domain. GJR International School focuses on each domain and is committed to nurturing the child to grow as a successful responsible citizen of the country capable of leading an empowered and enriched life. The curriculum, clubs, and community programs are all wisely planned to bring out the best in every child and grow their potential and self-esteem to greater heights.

5 Cool Things to do this Winter Vacation-1 Kids are always excited about holidays. That’s when they get to have fun the entire day. Winter vacation is even more special as it is Christmas and New Years’ time. People travel during holidays. However, apart from traveling time, there are still a few more days that kids get, which they can utilize in some unique activities. Winter vacation is very close to exam time, especially in India. Therefore, utilizing this time to enhance academic skills is crucial. Your teachers at school are almost close to completing the academic syllabus for the year. Hence you have a lot to study and get ready for your exams. We do not suggest keeping yourself busy only with books during vacation, but there are a few activities that could be fun and learning for kids. Always remember, the lost time can never come back. So, use time wisely to enhance your existing skills or learn new one. In this article, we have tried bringing some unique ideas that may interest you. And if you have better ideas, please do not hesitate to write to us. We will publish them with your name and class below the article. Enhance your writing skills: Be it your handwriting, writing speed, spelling, or vocabulary, writing helps you improve all. Yes, you guessed it right, one of the best holiday activities is writing. Oh no, don’t worry. We are not saying you should keep writing the entire day. You can do this for an hour. If you want to learn new words, write something new from articles online. And if you intend to learn words in your textbook, write your lessons, but either way, understand the meaning before you start writing. Know your culture: It is this time of the year when it is chill in the evenings, and you want to sit at home with a sweater. So here is something fascinating to do. Sit with your grandparents. Ask them about their childhood and how they celebrated festivals. Trust me, you’ll enjoy it. Meanwhile, you’ll learn a lot about our culture. Make your snacks: Cooking is fun! This is not only fun, but you’ll learn to multitask. Do you observe your mom every day? She cooks, cleans the house, helps you to get ready for school, packs your tiffin, and she will go out for work too. It is possible for her because she does multitask. Today’s jobs demand to multitask. Taking small responsibilities in the kitchen or household work will not only help you learn a new skill, but it’ll help you a long way as you grow. Try simple experiments: Allocate a corner in your room for some small science experiments. Look for some experiments online that can help you understand science better. Here are a few things to try at home. It is not only fun but you’ll learn a lot about science in day-to-day activities.   https://www.mkewithkids.com/post/here-are-two-weeks-worth-of-fun-and-easy-science-experiments/ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/parenting/g32176446/science-experiments-for-kids//   Enjoy winter time: Most of us live in apartments. And socializing is an essential skill that everyone should learn. So why not start with your apartment? Plan a bonfire with play buddies in your apartment. What better occasion do you need? It is the best time to gather everyone in the evenings and plan engrossing activities that suit all age groups. Let me tell you the secret behind this activity. It not only helps you have fun but learn to plan events in the future too.

10 Brain Foods for Kids All parents try to give their best to their children. Whether it is food, education, or comfort, ultimately, the goal of every parent is to provide the best possible thing. Of all the other things, a kid’s health is the foremost essential aspect for parents. We all know a healthy and nourished body is crucial for a child’s growth, both physically and mentally. A healthy mind can do wonders. It is said that healthy child has excellent cognitive skills that help them become academic achievers. To make this happen, every parent must first set the right eating habits for the child. Some super-brain foods are good for brain development and memory. Including these foods in your kid’s diet can help them a long way. Therefore, here are —- brain foods for kids that boost a child’s brain growth and function. What foods are good for your child’s brain development? Before we jump into knowing what foods are good for brain development, let’s understand what nutrients are essential. It will help you figure out what food to choose based on the region you live in, and what’s available to you. Here you go with the list of 10 essential nutrients for brain growth.  Protein  Carbohydrates  Omega 3 Fats  Choline  Iron  Iodine  Selenium  Copper Vitamin A, B, C, D, E Zinc Now let’s make it easier for you to figure out what foods contain these nutrients. Protein-Rich Foods: Cereals and Grains, Sprouts, Beans, Peanuts, low-fat Paneer and Cheese, Milk, Curds, Almonds, Nuts, and Chickpeas, are a few vegetarian proteins. Eggs, Chicken, Meat, and Seafood are non-vegetarian proteins. Carbohydrates: Bread, Cereals and Grains, Milk, Sugary Sweets and Drinks, Potatoes, Pasta, Berries, and Oats. Omega 3 Fats: Eggs, Flax Seeds, Chia Seeds, Walnuts, Fish, and other Sea foods are the source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids. Choline: Cauliflower, Broccoli, Almonds, Mushrooms, Beans, Red Potatoes, and Paneer are a few vegetarian sources of Choline. Eggs, Meat, Chicken, and Fish contain Choline too. Iron: Spinach and other leafy veggies, Nuts, Dry Fruits, Dates, Wholemeal Pasta, Tofu, Pumpkins Seeds, Bread and Cereals, Oats, Brown Rice, Fruits such as Strawberries and Watermelon, Raisins are excellent sources of vegetarian iron. Red meat, Eggs, and Liver are non-vegetarian sources of iron. Iodine: Dairy products such as Milk, Curd and Cheese, Iodized Salt, Eggs, and Fish are the main source of iodine. Selenium: Brazil Nuts, Seafood, Rice, Oatmeal, Eggs, and Pasta are good sources of selenium. Certain fruits, such as Bananas and Avocados have selenium, but in a minimal amount. To get complete selenium nutrition, pair it up with other selenium foods. Copper: Nuts and Seeds, Dark Chocolate, Sunflower Seeds, veggies like Potatoes, Peas, Bean, and Whole Grains. Vitamin A: Yellow, red, and green (leafy) vegetables, such as Spinach, Carrots, Sweet Potatoes and Red Peppers. Yellow fruit, such as Mango, Papaya, and Apricots. Cheese, Eggs, Milk, and Yoghurt provide Vitamin A. Vitamin B: Meat (especially liver), Seafood, Eggs, Dairy Products, Legumes, Leafy Greens, Seeds, and fortified foods, such as breakfast cereal and nutritional yeast, are all sources of Vitamin B. Vitamin C: Oranges, Kiwi, Lemon, Grapefruit, and Strawberries are a few fruits rich in Vitamin C. Veggies like Bell Peppers, Potatoes, Broccoli, Cauliflower, and Tomatoes also contain Vitamin C. Vitamin D: Dairy and Plant Milks, Oranges, Fish, Cereals, and Yoghurt are the best source of Vitamin D. Vitamin E: Sunflower Seeds, Almonds, Peanuts, Pumpkin Seeds, Brazil Nuts, Avocado, and Kiwi provide Vitamin E. Zinc: Meat, Chickpeas, Lentils, Beans, Nuts and Seeds, Peanuts, Cheese and Milk, Eggs, Whole Grains, and Dark Chocolate are the best sources of Zinc. The above list includes superfoods that are rich in most of the nutrients. Try to include these superfoods in each meal to avoid deficiencies and boost brain growth and function. Remember, these essential nutrients help your child improve cognitive skills and memory.

Role of Music in Child’s Development Let me help you recall those soothing lullabies your grandmother used to sing while putting you to sleep in your childhood. And the rhymes mummy used to sing for you. Even at preschool, almost everything was a song. We used to love the rhymes singing, and dancing to those tunes. Have you ever thought about why almost everything was associated with music? There is a scientific reason behind this. We all know music is soothing and helps in relaxing the mind. But there is something beyond this. It is in the first three years of life a child forms the brain connections that will lay the foundation for speech, language, motor, and cognitive skills. Musical experiences are an important way to help children create these pathways, also called neural connections. Not only music is helping the child to build these neural connections but ignites all areas of child development such as motor skills, picking up sounds, language, and words faster, and helps the body and mind work together. It also accelerates reading skills which will help the child in the long run. Here are the reasons why music is essential for early childhood development: Music boosts communication and imagination – Babies respond to sounds and music quickly in comparison to speech. Infants try to mimic the sounds which eventually helps in picking communication faster. Music boosts IQ –  As mentioned earlier in this article, music is a great way for a child to build neural pathways faster. Also, as the child grows, if the child is involved in learning a musical instrument or any other form of music, it is scientifically proven that compared to other children, kids involved in musical activities have better IQs. Music cultivates patience in kids – Learning any form of music requires patience. A child learning music or any musical instrument develops patience and perseverance. This will help the child tackle more complex challenges in life. Music uplifts emotional development – Self-expression, creativity, self-esteem, and empathy are a few qualities that music helps a child to develop. Science has proved that a child inclined towards music has fewer anxiety issues. Music improves coordination – A child learning a musical instrument has the better hand and eye coordination. This accelerates the brain to work faster and thus the overall coordination. Music improves listening skills – The soothing nature of the music calms the brain of the listener. Sometimes, we learn a song in an unknown language. That is because of the rhythm and music that impact our minds. We tend to listen to the song again and again which boosts our concentration. It further enhances listening skills. Music uplifts your mood – Music not only soothes you but is a mood lifter too. Have you noticed this? When a person, irrespective of age and gender, when listens to good music tends to dance to the beats. That’s the magic of the music. Hence music is the best mood lifter for your child.

Importance of Financial Literacy for Kids All parents want their children to become independent, responsible, and successful in their lives. Success follows children who follow some rules and learn life skills from early childhood. Parents and schools play a crucial role in educating kids about these skills. Skills like time management, the ability to make decisions, money management, and social responsibility, all make children excellent individuals as they grow. Every skill has its impact on the child’s personality and growth. In this article, we want to highlight the importance of financial literacy for kids, one of the most important skills that can help them achieve financial goals as they grow. Why is financial literacy essential for kids? Financially literate people not only manage money more efficiently but also have a better ability to handle the problems in their finances by understanding how to prevent or address money-related issues if and when they arise. How to educate kids about money management? Children only know that parents buy them everything they ask for. Even parents are excited to see their children happy. But parents should soon turn this into a practice of teaching the child the value of gifts they buy for them. Yes, the first step towards teaching money management is to tell them the value of things or gifts they get at home. Once they understand the value, they will automatically learn to preserve them. They will learn to appreciate whatever they get. As parents, we always put our children first. The smallest needs of our children become our highest priority. Our entire financial planning revolves around the child’s needs, education, and career. But how many of us involve our children in our money matters? It is not required to discuss grave financial issues but involving children in everyday money matters and household expenses is a wise idea. This will open their minds to the basic financial aspects of life. Further to this, parents should motivate children to earn gifts. Wondering how? Here is the answer. In exchange for a gift, ask your child to do some simple tasks, such as taking care of the sibling for a while, cleaning small dishes, drying clothes, or even completing their homework faster. It will not only make children happy but help them learn to take responsibility too. Teach your child to save money. Gift them a piggy bank. Whenever your child completes a task, start putting some coins in the piggy bank as a gesture of appreciation. It will motivate your children to save money. Once in a while, ask them to count the coins. Trust me, they will start liking this. In fact, they will become proactive and ask for tasks, as they know they will get coins once they complete them. Set small financial goals for children. Teach them the happiness of buying something with their money. Discuss with your children what they want as a gift. Help them understand the value of it and how they can buy it themselves. You can fund it if the gift is expensive. But not entirely. Educate your children to make the effort of buying the gift themselves. All of these techniques help your children in the long run. They will not only learn to value money but also plan their expenses, savings, and financial goals.

Brain Games for Kids to Activate Thinking Kids love to play. Parents are always looking for options to keep their children constructively engaged. What if you can find a play that is not only a fun activity but also helps you keep your child engaged? Yes, you read it right. This article is all about the games that activate your child’s brain and improves their cognitive thinking. Here is a list of brain games for kids to activate thinking: Matching Picture Cards – It is a memory game and relies on memory recall. The person who remembers and matches the cards on both sides is the winner. It is a good way to improve your child’s memory. You can modify the game based on the age of your child. Matching pictures with alphabets or words, matching animals with their young ones, matching animals with their homes, matching flags with countries, matching vegetables with their names, and much more. Benefits  Improves visual memory Improves visual discrimination Improves short-term memory loss Improves concentration What’s Missing?  Arrange a few items in the tray. Let your child look into the tray and memorize the displayed items. Then cover the tray with a napkin. Ask your child to tell the names of the items in the tray. You can even remove one or two items from the tray and ask your child what’s missing in the tray. Both variations of the game are interesting. Make it tricky by adding more items to the tray. Benefits  Improves visual attention Improves visual scanning Improves concentration Improves visual recognition Solving Puzzles Puzzles are brain-challenging and activate a child’s logical thinking. There are a variety of puzzles available, crossword puzzles, word-search puzzles, number puzzles, relational puzzles, logic puzzles, etc. Every puzzle has its advantages and improves your child’s cognitive thinking capabilities. Benefits  Improves problem-solving skills Improves logical thinking Improves reasoning skills Improves strategic thinking Board Games  Board games are fun to play. Kids love board games as they are group games. Even parents can join with kids to play board games. Carrom board, Ludo, Monopoly, Checkers, Connect 4, Chess, etc., can all be played by all age groups. Benefits  Help in learning to follow the instructions Help to regulate emotions Improves motor skills Improves problem-solving Improves logical thinking Arranging Blocks  This game is suitable for kids below seven years. They love making different patterns with blocks. Blocks are easy to use and tweaked into tons of fun activities such as Counting Blocks, Stacking Blocks, Building a Maze with Blocks, Bowling with Blocks, Tower Building, and a lot more. Benefits  Improves problem-solving skills Improves imagination & creativity Express their own self Improves mathematics and geometry Improves self-esteem Online Games  Embracing technology is essential these days. The days are gone when we wanted to keep children away from screens. Having said that, we do not mean to say that kids must be allowed to play online games all the time. The parents can monitor the kid’s screen time and make sure, they are playing within the allowed time. Benefits  A great source to develop technical knowledge and usage of computers. Enhances memory, brain speed, and concentration. Improved multi-tasking skills. Build skills for future careers.

The Importance of Play Playing is an important part of every human’s life. There is absolutely no age restriction to play. In fact, play can reduce stress and enhance productivity at work if included in the daily routine. Though we all know the importance of play in a child’s life, we associate it with fun rather than a learning experience. Play not only helps the child’s physical growth but also improves their ability to learn academics faster. Many scientific studies support the concept that “playing is learning”. Moreover, the benefits a child can gain through play are numerous, and every parent should encourage their child to play for some time daily. Boost Brain Development – Play allows children to improve their creativity, imagination, and cognitive thinking. It helps the child to connect and understand the real world. While a child is playing, the senses such as sight, touch, and hearing are extremely active. Sensory play can stimulate the neurons of the child’s brain and hence the brain chemistry for the faster child’s development. That is the reason the latest teaching methodologies include plenty of sensorial activities for early childhood schooling. Improves Intelligence – Every play has a logic behind it. As the children explore the game, they try to analyze and understand the logic associated with it, which in turn improves their logical skills. Enhances Creativity – Fun games have no boundaries. A child has all the freedom to explore and create their world, find new possible solutions, and generate new ideas. This divergent thinking helps the child improve creative skills. Improve Communication, Vocabulary, and Language – Communication skill is one of the most preferred skills in this competitive world. Every job demands excellent communication skills. This can be practiced or developed from early childhood. Every sport that a child plays involves communicating in certain ways, using words and body language and thus helping the child express themselves appropriately. Promote Patience and Regulate Emotions – In group play, children learn to wait till they get their turn. And winning and losing are part of the play. A simple game can teach the child to patiently wait for their turn and accept winning and losing equally. Improves Social Skills – While playing together, children learn to cooperate and communicate with different age groups, follow game rules and get along with other kids improving their social skills. Gain Better Physical and Mental Health – Play is a form of relaxation for the brain. And play involves a lot of physical activities. A day for a child should be filled with various activities that help the various parts of their brain and body function. This helps in sharpening their thinking skills and strengthening their muscles. Hence, play improves a child’s physical and mental health.