Category: Daily Life

Teaching Kids About Personal Space and Boundaries

Posted on by amelioadmin

We’ve all been through it as kids, aunties pinching our cheeks, relatives pulling us on to their laps to sit. With our own kids we’ve at one time or another told them to hug an uncle bye, or said ‘how cute’ when they’ve kissed or hugged another child. There’s a lack of respect for personal space, privacy and boundaries in our country, especially when it comes to children. You might wonder what all the fuss is about; after all isn’t it just showing affection. 

Personal space and boundaries are important social skills that will teach your child how to behave with their peers and adults, they will learn etiquette and decorum, and most importantly it will keep your child safe! When you teach your child about boundaries, they will not only learn to respect others, but also respect themselves and their bodies.

We’ve got you covered with these helpful ways in which you can teach your child about personal space, privacy and boundaries.

Show them 

  • Fold a mat into a square and ask your little one to stand in the middle of it, or use a chalk to draw a large square around your child. Ask them to play or do an activity within the space and explain to them that the area they are in represents their personal space. This will help them identify their own personal space and other people’s as well.
  • When you’re going to shower or to the loo, tell your child you need privacy and will be closing the door. If your child needs to change or use the potty, take them to the bathroom and tell them to keep the door closed or ajar (if your child is too young). This will teach them about the need for privacy and personal space to perform certain activities.
  • Kids learn from the adults around them. They’re learning and absorbing from you even when you think they aren’t. So make sure you model good behavior when it comes to boundaries and personal space while interacting with one another. 

Talk to them

  • While watching a cartoon with your child or reading to them, take the opportunity to point out examples of situations where characters do and don’t respect personal space and talk about it. If your child grabs another kid’s toy or pushes, intervene immediately, ask them to think about how the other child felt. By talking and discussing, you can teach your child empathy and respecting other’s boundaries.
  • Ask your child what they are comfortable with when it comes to physical affection. Always check with your child before you or anyone else hugs or kisses them. If they tell you they don’t like that a kid or adult greeted them with a hug, tell them that they have a right to feel that way and can always say No. Also, talk to them about other ways in which they would rather be greeted—maybe, a wave or a hi-five.

Listen to them

  • When your child says ‘No’ to being tickled by a friend, or if they don’t feel like giving grandma a goodbye kiss, do not force them to. Make sure your child knows its okay if they don’t want to be touched and they haven’t done anything wrong by refusing. You need to respect your child’s personal space to empower them to be in charge of their own bodies.
  • When your child tells you they’ve been pushed, or were uncomfortable in a particular situation, listen to them! Don’t brush their feelings aside. Also, list out certain scenarios when they need to call a trusted adult to intervene.

When your child is aware of their boundaries they will be able to speak up when they are in an uncomfortable situation. They will be empowered to say ‘No’ to a hug or a kiss or if their personal space is being invaded, thereby keeping them safe.

Screen Time for Children: Where to draw the line

Posted on by amelioadmin

Who among us parents haven’t stuck our kids in front of the television or tablet? So that we can get some work done in peace or just eat without a child clinging on to us. Most of us have been there and done that. Screens make for a good and, not to mention, convenient babysitter.  And honestly, in today’s technology-driven world where there are smartphones, tablets and television screens everywhere you look you can’t really keep your children away from them for long.

At the same time, most of us are aware that too much screen time can hinder your child’s development. There are even studies that say certain programs can cause aggression in your child and it is better not to be wholly dependent on television or a tablet to keep your child occupied. So where do you draw the line? And how much screen time should you allow for your child?

According to the W.H.O (World Health Organization), a child below the age of 1 shouldn’t be exposed to electronic screens at all (video chat is allowed to an extent), and for ages 2-4 years an hour of screen time a day is the maximum allowed.

Children learn and develop by interacting with the world around them. They need plenty of physical activities to grow strong and healthy, and also express their creative imagination. Extensive hours of screen time hinder this! So, to help you find the balance, we’ve put together some guidelines when it comes to screen time for your kids.

  • Always supervise what your child is watching or what games/ apps they are playing. Make sure it’s age appropriate and educational.
  • A particular game or app might be advertised as being educational, but do your research as well before allowing your child to play it.
  • Stick to time limits when it comes to screen time. Make it clear from the start that they only get to watch for a certain amount of time. Your child might throw a tantrum for some extension time period. But, don’t give in and try to distract them with some other activity.
  • Don’t use screens to get your child to eat, it might be easier to feed them while they are focused on watching a cartoon, but it’s setting a bad precedent. During meal times they need to pay attention to their food and what they are putting in their bodies.
  • Make sure you don’t allow screen time right before bedtime as this can over stimulate their brains, when they should actually be winding down for the day, and can hamper their sleep.
  • A big no-no is screens in your child’s bedroom. Don’t put a television in there and keep away tablets and laptops from their bedroom during the night.

If your child spending more time in front of screens than they should, these are certain things you can do to reduce this:

  • Put them in a group activity class— it could be a dance class or even a craft class, there are plenty of options.
  • Come up with some fun activities they can do at home like paint a picture or build a fort out of blankets.
  • Spend at least an hour of quality time with your child so they get your undivided attention. Once they get their fill, they’ll be better able to occupy themselves.

Slowly, your children will get used to less screen time and will find ways to entertain themselves.

By setting boundaries and being aware of what your child is consuming via screens you can make sure the limited time they spend in front of the television or on the tablet doesn’t interfere with their social, mental and physical development.

Why the arts matter!

Posted on by amelioadmin

Your toddler dips their hands in paint. They squeal with delight as they press their palms on to a piece of paper. They grab a paintbrush and smear colour all over the paper and themselves. Yes, it’s a sweet and special moment, but there is also a great deal of mess to clean up!

Developing motor skills

You might wonder what the value is in allowing your toddler, who can barely grasp a spoon, to paint and play with colours. However, the process of finger painting, drawing and wielding a paintbrush helps develop their fine motor skills. By allowing them to practice and explore, when they are out of toddlerhood and starting school they’d have developed dexterity and control, and should even be able to draw shapes and cut with scissors.

Expressing themselves

Nothing allows you to be inspired and express yourself like the arts do. Whether your child is reciting a poem or playing a piece of music – their creative juices are flowing. They will be thinking in a completely different way than when they do for math or a science experiment. This ability to express themselves and think creatively will help your child for the rest of their life!

Confidence building

Allowing your child to learn an art form – be it playing the violin or dancing Bharathanatyam – will help them build confidence.  As they learn and grow and see themselves becoming more adept and improving day by day, they will develop better self-confidence. They’ll also learn to make decisions and solve problems in the process.

 Teamwork

Singing in a choir, being part of a dance troupe or even putting up a play is filled with fun and camaraderie. But being part of a group like this will also teach your child to work with others, to own up to mistakes and to help their teammates when they slip up. They also learn to persevere and not give up! By interacting with others in these groups your little one will also learn social niceties and how to treat their peers with respect.

Growing up, most of us were asked to concentrate on math and the sciences in school, so that we’d have a successful future. But, now things are changing. Children are exposed to a lot more career options, everything from journalism and business to graphic design and sports management. So when they are allowed to practice the arts, their world is broadened and they develop mastery over a particular skill. This mastery helps them academically and emotionally, and they learn to follow their passion.

What to Look for When Picking a School for Your Child

Posted on by amelioadmin

Your child’s school years are perhaps the most formative time in their lives. This is when their ideas and values are shaped, and when they learn constantly and grow at a rapid rate physically, mentally and emotionally. What they learn and experience during these initial years will have a strong influence over them for the rest of their lives.

It is no wonder that picking a school for your child is a daunting task. From syllabus and the rating of the school, to fees and extra-curricular activities offered, there are numerous things to keep in mind while choosing a school for your child. Once you have shortlisted a few schools based on fees and syllabus, here are some basic things to look out for, which will make all the difference when it comes to your child’s future.

The Teachers

A teacher plays an extraordinary and vital role in a child’s life. They not only educate your child, they also engage with them and shape their ideas. During these impressionable years, a teacher serves as your child’s role model, counselor and mentor. Remember, a school is only as good as its teachers. So, make sure that the school you put your child into has a stellar faculty – teachers who are skilled at educating, are up-to-date with their information, and who truly care about teaching the citizens of tomorrow.

The Environment

A large part of your child’s day is spent at school. Which means the infrastructure and surroundings should be safe, clean and conducive to learning and growing. Check out the classrooms to see if they get enough light and air, make sure the libraries are well stocked, and the laboratories have the latest equipment and tools. You wouldn’t be remiss in ensuring that the bathrooms are sanitized and the cafeteria hygienic. Finally, choose a school that has ample room for your child to run around and get some fresh air.

The extra-curricular activities

Yes, learning to read, write and do math is very important, but life skills and creative pursuits are necessities as well. We need to raise citizens who are well-rounded, have the right values and care about the world around them. Go with a school that has facilities and teachers for art, music and sports. Pick a school, which gives importance to learning new skills and encourages socially useful and productive work. In this way, you ensure that your child explores their interests, and is allowed to grow into a confident and considerate person.

A school should not only educate your child, but should also ignite an interest to learn, encourage creativity, and help them be the best they can be. By choosing the right school for your child you put them on the right path for a great future and life.

Why Vijayadasami is the Perfect Time to Start Your Child at a Preschool

Posted on by amelioadmin

Admissions open at Amelio's preschool program

Your toddler is one little busy body and you are probably wondering when might be a good time to start her off at preschool. Have you considered enrolling her in a preschool this Vijayadasami?

Vijayadasami is an auspicious time in South India for initiation of formal education for children. It is usually on this day that children start their learning of music and the arts. Since this is a wonderful day for new beginnings, it could also be the ideal time to start your toddler on her preschool experience. Here are some reasons why:

  1. Rituals encourage readiness:

When the child and the parent go through a ritual of initiation, both ready themselves for commitment into that endeavour. If you think about any ritual you follow at home, notice how it requires commitment, planning and involvement. And these three ingredients are key to any successful initiative. When you start your child with a ritual such as the Vidyarambham, there is a greater chance that you are more committed, planned and involved. And that would mean a much easier transitioning process for your child.

  1. Get a head-start on learning

Most schools start enrolling children from June but initiate admissions only around December/ January of the previous year. Your child could greatly benefit from spending time in a preschool environment as a start to her formal schooling. A good preschool program such as Amelio’s will give your child a safe environment with loving and supportive teachers. She will be encouraged to learn through her own initiative thereby building her self-esteem and readiness to formal schooling.

  1. Make those first besties

Usually, many children enroll in preschools around Vijayadasami therefore creating a lovely, cosy group of children and parents who start their journey of education in each other’s company. They form friendships for life and proceed on to schooling and other experiences together. It’s a beautiful way to get your child initiated into learning, also socially.

At Amelio, we have an award-winning preschool program that is designed to enhance your child’s learning outcomes.

We have limited seats for our preschool program and they fill up fast! To know more about how we help your child get a head start, call us at 91760 24000 now!

Five Reasons Why Theatre is Good for your Child

Posted on by amelioadmin
Girl (7-9) looking out from behind stage curtain
Theatre has surprising long term benefits for kids

 

Schools will close soon, and the season is upon us, parents, to figure out the right ways to occupy and entertain our children. Today there are a dizzying array of choices for summer camps – some entertaining, some fun, and some that teach the child a thing or two. Most parents would like their child to learn something that complements their academics. So they veer towards science, maths and chess. But have you considered theatre? Do I see a look of bemusement? Why, you ask, would theatre teach my child anything except to act on stage. And act she does anyway!

There are surprising and long term benefits to an early exposure and interest in theatre. Here are some proven benefits to indulging your child’s theatrical interests at an early age.

  1. Language and Communication

Theatre is story telling in its most compelling form. And story telling enhances communication and language abilities. Children with an exposure to theatre and performing arts and proven to communicate better and more effectively.

  1. Problem Solving

Experts in early education agree that the fundamental skill that children should learn in their early years is problem solving. Children must develop skills that will help them navigate issues in their own social contexts – such as being away from a parent, being in a new environment, playing together with friends etc.

Theatre gives children a safe space in which to hypothetically navigate their many social issues and therefore learn how to solve their own problems.

The result is better cognitive abilities and a much higher level of self confidence!

  1. Social Skills

Children learn empathy through stories. As a story unfolds, children, in a safe way, and without consequences, understand human emotions, social skills and thereby form the beginnings of learning empathy. Empathy is a tough skill to learn. One learns empathy by being in real situations, but sometimes those learnings can be hard. Theatre is a safe and easy way to explore human emotions, social conduct and therefore understand empathy.

  1. Team Work

Theatre is not an individualized art. Theatre requires the collaboration and coming together of many people and many view points. When children learn theatre skills at a young age, they learn to listen, to follow and to cooperate. In today’s increasingly isolated world, these are essential skills for children to learn and internalize.

  1. Self Awareness

Theatre allows children to explore several skills through one integrated experience. In a theatre project or production, children are exposed to script writing, character sketching, sets, dialogues, acting, coordination and operations. Such a varied set of experiences essentially requires children to jump out of their comfort zone and explore areas of interest they may have otherwise shied away from. And through this process, children subliminally understand themselves and their abilities better. And where they earlier feared such experiences, they now face their fears without repercussions. What a way to become self aware!

Amelio has collaborated with Evam to create a special theatre workshop for children between 5-8 years of age. The workshop will introduce children to various aspects of stagecraft and performance. Needless to say, tons of fun and frolic along the way. The workshop is between 21st March and 30th March 2017 from 10am to 1pm.

Call 92822 00444 to register.