Category: Tips

Keeping Your Kids Healthy During the Rainy Season

Posted on by amelioadmin

As the rainy season brings a much-needed respite from the seemingly never-ending heat, it also brings increased humidity and a few challenges! Whether it’s those wet umbrellas, soppy shoes, damp walls, soaked clothes or moisture in the air – these can all lead to a host of fungal and bacterial growth in and around your house. Young children can also be more susceptible to falling ill during this time.

Here are a few tips to help you keep your little ones protected, happy and healthy:

* The rainy season brings with it several waterborne diseases like typhoid. Boil or filter your water before use.

* Cover all water containers, these become breeding grounds for mosquitoes which can carry dengue and malaria.

* Increase your little one’s intake of hot beverages and soups, to avoid throat problems.

* Avoid oily, take-away foods if possible and enjoy fresh homemade meals, rich in Vitamin C. Add a pinch of turmeric and cardamom powder to your child’s milk, this helps increase immunity. Every morning you can give them two leaves of tulsi, which contains anti-inflammatory properties.

* Make use of the time indoors and organize some fun activities or have a board game night!

* Dress your little ones comfortably – soft and light clothing for the humidity during the day and add an extra layer of clothing with full sleeves to keep them warm in the nights.

* Wetness and dampness increase the chances of infections. Have your little ones change out of wet clothes immediately if they get caught in the rain.

* Change your baby’s nappies more frequently. Prolonged wetness could result in diaper rashes or fungal infections.

* Fever, body ache and sneezing are classic symptoms of typical seasonal-induced illnesses and could even indicate the onset of viral infections. Contact your paediatrician right away and take the measures necessary to combat the illness in its nascent stage.

Don’t forget to keep warm and dry. By taking a few cautious steps, you and your little ones can enjoy the rainy, breezy weather together – guilt-free!

Building Immunity with Food During COVID-19

Posted on by amelioadmin

It’s important to ensure that your little ones eat a balanced diet filled with essential nutrients in order for them to build up their immunity and help their bodies fight off infection. We know that it’s not easy, especially since the festival season is just kicking in! When possible, limit access to highly processed foods that are high in calories but low in nutrition and try to introduce nutrient rich foods. There are a number of healthy but tasty recipes that you can try out at home!

Here are some key immune-boosting nutrients:

  • Vitamin C
  • Vitamin E
  • Zinc
  • Vitamin D
  • Selenium
  • Beta Carotene
  • Protein

Getting these essential nutrients in doesn’t have to be a tough task!

Vegetable Pulao is a simple meal that you probably make at home already, which has a variety of ingredients with a high level of nutrients:

Green peas are rich in heart healthy nutrients like Vitamins A, B1, B6 and C. They are also rich in antioxidants like flavonoids and carotenoids which help in improving immunity. Besides, they are also an excellent source of protein, with 8gms in one cup of peas.

Green beans are low in sodium, saturated fat and cholesterol, and is a great source of protein and Vitamins A, B6, C and K. They may also support heart health by lowering blood pressure and reducing inflammation.

Carrots are a particularly good source of beta carotene, fibre, vitamin K1, potassium, and antioxidants, are weight-loss-friendly food and have been linked to lower cholesterol levels and improved eye health.

Paneer is a great source of protein, Selenium, Vitamin B6, B12, Calcium and Zinc. Studies have linked calcium and other components of dairy to reduced weight and easier weight maintenance, especially when combined with exercise.

Preparing meals with ginger, garlic and turmeric have had a long history of boosting the immune system and reducing inflammation.

Pre and post-playtime snacks can be a nutrition bar or a fruit smoothie or yoghurt with berries that can provide daily requirements of immunity boosting nutrients. A handful of mixed nuts are the easiest to snack on too.

Stay safe, stay healthy!

Sleep Like a Baby – Creating a bedtime routine for your young one

Posted on by amelioadmin

As a new parent you quickly learn that while babies do spend a fair amount of time sleeping, they also wake up often. For a period of time during the early weeks they might sleep all day and be awake all night. They go through sleep regressions in their first year. And during growth spurts your baby might wake up more often in the nights than usual for feeds.  All this will make you wonder who came up with the phrase, ‘Sleep like a baby’?

Did you know sleeping is a developmental milestone? Like how your baby learns to roll over, or walk, or is ready to be toilet trained, in time they sleep through the night as well.  Some babies may learn to do this earlier than others, but that’s nothing to worry about.

But no matter where your baby is in the whole sleeping through the night development, try to set a bedtime routine from day 1. Babies thrive on routine and it will soon become a habit they find comfort in.

Here’s how to go about setting a bedtime routine:

  • Keep the baby’s room cool and dark and comfortable during bedtime. 
  • Give baby a bath and massage pre-bedtime to relax them.
  • Make sure your baby has a feed before bedtime.
  • You could even read a book to your little one before settling them in for the night.

Even with all this your baby might still wake up multiple times in the night and that’s okay. But try to stick to the routine so that in time they develop good sleep habits.

Naps matter!

Babies nap a lot. As they grow older they will drop naps, and once they reach the age of 3 they might only be on one nap a day or no naps at all. You might think by reducing the number or duration of naps, your little one will sleep better and longer in the nights. This is not true!

Your baby needs sleep to grow and develop, so naptime routine is as important as bedtime routine. A baby that naps enough will sleep better at night. So make sure naptime isn’t interrupted or missed.

Toddler bedtime routine

By the age of 2.5 years your child will be sleeping through the night but this is also the time they start play school, which can throw their sleep routine off a bit. They might drop their afternoon nap or be more exhausted by the end of the day due to all the physical and mental exertion at school and other activities.

At this stage, more than ever, it is important your child goes to bed on time and gets a good night’s rest. After dinner and some play time watch your child for sleep cues and accordingly set bedtime. Let the time before bed be a calm one, this means no television at least half hour before, no sugary treats and no over stimulating activities.

Have them brush their teeth, drink water and use the loo before settling in for the night. Read them a story before bed, and turn on a nightlight if needed and allow your toddler to fall asleep by themselves.

As a parent of a toddler, stick to a routine and keep things simple. Set healthy bedtime habits so that your little one gets all the rest they need and are recharged for a new day.

Whether you are a new parent struggling with sleep deprivation thanks to a baby who wakes up often, or the parent of a toddler who is fighting bedtime, there’s a parenting mantra, ‘this too shall pass’. So, hang in there! When a baby wakes up often there’s usually a reason (anything from teething or reaching a developmental milestone). Keep to a routine and know that all kids eventually do learn to sleep through the night. I promise you!

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.

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.