Craft ideas for kids

Craft ideas for preschoolers

Independence Day crafts

Peacock puppet craft -This Sunday was our crafts day! My 5 years old daughter and I made quite a few crafts which I will share with you all. I am specially proud of the one I am sharing today. My 5 years old said she wanted to make a peacock. Yes, she loves colourful things, so peacocks, butterflies, ladybirds are all her favourite. If you see her colouring book, everything she colors has as many colors as she can find, no matter if she is colouring a rainbow or a giraffe.

So, she said let us make a peacock and we were brainstorming when she said I know what we can do, “I can draw peacock feathers and we can use glitter to decorate”. That’s when she drew the feather and I absolutely loved it. I asked her draw at least a dozen feathers.

Peacock puppet craft for kids

We found one old CD (too many lying around to be recycled). Her vision was slightly different as she wanted the side-profile of the peacock with a long neck, but we decided it will be easier to have it this way as it will have the support of the CD at the back.

By the time we finished, we added a loop at the back so that we can hang it and also added a craft stick at the back so that she could hold it and tell stories.

Peacock puppet craft for preschoolers

peacock puppet craft

What we need to make the peacock puppet craft

White Drawing/ Card paper 

Sketch pens/ Colored pencils

1 old CD

2 googly eyes

Purple glitter paper to make the neck

1 small piece of orange felt to make beak

1 craft stick – the one that we have used is almost double the length of popsicle stick ( This allows her to hold her puppet and tell stories)

Acrylic paints, embellishments for decorating

Thin ribbon/ string to make a loop for hanging

Glue

Sticky tape

How to make peacock puppet:

Ask your child to draw the feathers and let them make it as colourful as they want. Try to resist the temptation of making it perfect. The child’s imagination is what makes this perfect.

Cut the feathers and keep them aside.

Cut the shape of neck and head on a paper.

Now use this shape to cut the same out of the purple glitter sheet.

Stick googly eyes on the head using the glue.

Cut a small triangle out of orange felt to make the beak.

Stick the beak under the eyes.

Assemble the peacock

Spread the glue on the shiny side of the CD.

Now stick all the feather towards the sides of the CD.

Sick the head and neck at the centre such that it covers the ends of the feathers.

You may color any empty parts of CD using metallic blue acrylic colors.

Use glitter or any embellishments to decorate the feathers as you and your child wishes.

Finally, make a small loop using a ribbon and stick at the back using glue and tape. You can hand your peacock on a wall hook.

To make a puppet, stick a craft stick using glue and tape. The stick should be long enough for the child to be able to hold it like a puppet.

There you go!! Peacock puppet craft for children is ready. An afternoon well-spent!
We will make this a part of our Independence Day post. That post is going to be epic! Watch out this space for it.

Do share your crafts and ideas for toddlers & pre-schoolers with us. 

The post Make a Recycled CD Peacock Puppet- Preschooler crafts appeared first on ShishuWorld .

Independence day crafts

Indian flag crafts

As I told you, I and my daughter did some crafts this weekend. I shared the peacock puppet craft that we did and today I am going to share two more simple crafts that we did for Independence Day. You may also make these for Republic Day.

Independence day crafts

Indian flag crafts

Independence Day Indian flag crafts

My daughter loves making Indian flags. So this time we tried another simple way to make Indian flag to celebrate the upcoming Independence Day. She has recently done q-tip painting in her school, so we applied the same technique to make this flag. Q-tip in simple language is the ear-bud that is available in every bathroom cabinet. This technique is simple and non-messy for young kids to handle.

Make Indian flag using q-tip painting

What you need:

White construction paper

Acrylic paints

Color palette

Q-tips

Process

Draw an Indian flag on white construction paper.

Mix saffron, white and green colour on colour palette.

Ask your child to dip the q-tip in saffron colour and make dots to colour the top of the flag.

Similarly, ask the child to make dots to colour white and green parts of the flag.

Once the paint is dried, then ask your child to make blue dots for Ashok chakra.

Once the flag is completely dry, add a craft stick to make the mast of the flag.

Make Indian flag craft using torn paper

Indian flag crafts are always a favourite when you want to do India-themed crafts. They provide instant connection with the occasion to kids and they are easy to make. We had also made a simple Indian flag craft for Republic Day. We had used torn coloured paper to make the flag.

What you need:

White construction paper

Saffron/ Orange crepe paper

White crepe paper

Green crepe paper

Blue crepe paper

Popsicle stick

Glue

How to:

Draw the shape flag on white construction flag.

Tear saffron, white and green crepe papers into small pieces.

Tear blue paper into small pieces.

Now apply glue on drawn flag.

Ask your child to paste torn pieces of coloured paper on the flag.

Make small balls of blue paper and paste in place of Ashok chakra.

Paste this flag on a popsicle stick to make the mast.

Indian flag is ready.

Do make these two simple Indian flag crafts with your kids to celebrate Independence day next month. We would love to hear your ideas of Independence Day crafts that you and your kids do together. Do watch out for a huge Independence day/ Republic day activities round up post coming up soon. Do not forget to share this if you love the ideas.

The post Indian Independence Day Crafts- 2 simple ways to make Indian Flags appeared first on ShishuWorld .

Indian Independence Day Craft ideas

Independence day activities for kids

Books to read on Indian Independence Day

How to dress up for Indian Independence Day party

Food ideas to celebrate Indian Independence Day/ Republic day

Indian Independence Day/ Republic day colouring pages

India themed crafts

Indian Independence Day is approaching and soon shops, schools, apartments will all be coloured in the colours of Indian tricolour. Flags will be waving everywhere and most schools would have already started preparations for parades and cultural programs.

It is important to teach the children the importance of Independence day/ Republic day, so they do not consider it just another holiday. It is also a great opportunity to teach children about the history and independence struggle of India.

What is Independence day?

If you have young children, it is important to explain the significance of Independence day in the simplest of words.

India’s Independence Day is celebrated on 15th August every year to commemorate the end of British empire’s rule in India on the 15th of August 1947.

And if you have child like mine who has a why and what and wants a detailed explanation of everything, you might have make up stories and come up with an explanation that is appropriate for their age.

Activities that you can do with kids on Independence Day/ Republic Day

Attend flag hoisting with your little ones

Most schools and apartments have flag hoisting events on the morning of Independence day. So, sacrifice your sleep for that day and attend the event closest to you. The energy is electrifying and no other party or get together can equal the occasion.

Independence Day Coloring pages

Give these colouring pages to children as explain the various symbols of our nation.

Indian Flag, Freedom fighters

National symbols Peacock, Tiger, Mango, Lotus

Independence Day/ Republic Day Crafts

Indian Flag Crafts

I and my 5 years old made few simple crafts at home last year & this year.

See in detail how we made these two simple Indian flag crafts.

Independence Day Rangoli designs

Try these beautiful India-themed rangoli/ alpana/ kolam designs for decorating your home, 

Independence Day/ Republic Day themed Food

If your are having an India themed party, then tricolour food is a no-brainer.
We did a round up of some lovely tricolour food items that you may include in your celebration as well. from sandwiches to dhokla , from cake to biryani choices are endless.

Our readers shared these wonderful ideas of tricolour food.

Do not miss our round up of 10 tricolour food ideas to celebrate Independence day/ Republic day.

Bhagat Singh (Amar Chitra Katha)

Rani of Jhansi (Amar Chitra Katha)

Chandra Shekhar Azad (Amar Chitra Katha)

Mahatma Gandhi: Special Issue (Amar Chitra Katha)

Tell Me About the Story of India

Tell Me about Monuments of India

Patriotic songs for Independence Day

Play some evergreen patriotic songs on the occasion.

Jhanda ooncha rahe hamara

Hind desh ke niwasi, sabhi jan ek hain

Ye desh hai veer jawano ka

Sarfaroshi ki tamanna ab hamare dil hain

Vande Mataram

Desh mera rangila

Ae mere watan ke logon

Mera rang de basanti chola

Patriotic poems for Independence Day

If your child is dressing up for Independence Day fancy dress, then  you may help her to learn some of these poems.

Independence Day Quiz questions for kids

Independence Day quiz questions for pre-schoolers to primary students

What is the capital of India? – New Delhi

What are the three colors of Indian flag? – Saffron, White & Green

What is the wheel in the centre of the Indian flag called? – Ashoka Chakra

What is the national flower of India? – Lotus

What is the national fruit of India? – Mango

What is the national animal of India? – Tiger

What is the national bird of India? – Peacock

What is the national tree of India? – Peepal

What is the national fish of India? –  Gangetic Dolphin

Who was the first prime minister of India? – Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru

Who was the first president of India? – Dr. Rajendra Prasad

Who is our prime minister now? – Sh. Narendra Modi

Who is the current president of India? – Dr. Pranav Mukherjee

How many states are there in India? – 29 states and 7 union territories

Who is known as the father of the nation? – Mahatma Gandhi

Which freedom fighter is known as “Azad”? – Chandra Shekhar Azad

Who wrote the constitution of India – Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar

The post 50+ Independence Day Ideas- Crafts/Food/Books/Dress up/Colouring pages appeared first on ShishuWorld .

Easy DIY rakhi for kids to make school rakhi making competitions

Handmade rakhi for Rakshabandhan

DIY rakhi ideas

The festival of Rakshabandahan or Rakhi as it is commonly called is just a couple of weeks away. This Indian festival is a day for brothers and sisters and is celebrated with greater joy across India. This festival celebrates and strengthens the bond between brothers and sisters. On this day, sisters tie rakhi or an embellished thread on their brother’s wrist and pray for their well-being. Brothers also promise to take care of their sisters and spoil them with gifts.

There are many legends and mythological story where someone like Draupadi, Yamuna or Rani Karnavati tied rakhi and asked Krishna, Yam and Emperor Humayun for help and they left everything to help and save their sisters. The bond of rakhi is considered stronger than blood relations.

Being the only sister to my two brothers, this was and still is a very important and joyful day for me. Though all of us stay far apart now, the approach of this festival always fills me with anticipation and excitement. My daughter too loves sending rakhi to her cousin brother who stays in another city.

This time we thought that we should make rakhi for our brothers and not just buy them from market. Yes, the shops are already brimming with colourful rakhis all around. I shortlisted some lovely rakhi making ideas from internet and here I am sharing the same with you all to help you in your rakhi making endeavours. These are simple ideas which you can easily do with your young children.

DIY Sticker Rakhi

These rakhis are the easiest to make specially if you have young children who you are making these with. These are also very versatile, as you can choose any kind of stickers that you children like. Young children love cartoon characters and you can choose anything that they like.

Common ideas for creating sticker rakhi are:

1. Cartoon character rakhi
2. Animal rakhi
3. Vehicle rakhi
4. Smiley rakhi
5. Butterfly rakhi
6. Bird rakhi etc.

What you need:

• Your child’s favourite stickers (preferably thick, felt stickers)
• Satin ribbon to tie

How to make button rakhi :

1. Cut the satin ribbon of appropriate length.
2. Stick the sticker on the ribbon using the adhesive backing.
3. You may choose to stick the stickers on a foam or felt base too.

Handmade Button Rakhi

These are also great to make with preschoolers.

What you need:

• Colorful buttons 
• Glue
• Satin ribbon to tie

How to make button rakhi :

1. Cut the satin ribbon of appropriate length.
2. Using glue, stick button at the centre of the ribbon.
3. You may also combine different sized buttons to create some new design.

Handmade Gota Rakhi/ Recycled rakhi

Another simple idea of making rakhi is by using gota flowers.

The Ganesha embellishment that we have used here has come out of an old card, which we have recycled here.

What you need:

• Readymade gota flowers
• Glitter foam sheet
• Embellishments – We used a small silver Ganesha
• Ribbon
• Glue

How to make Ganesha Rakhi:

1. Cut a small circle out of contrast color glitter foam sheet. The circle should be smaller than the goto flower.
2. Stick the circle on top of goto flower.
3. Stick the Ganesha in the centre of the glitter circle.
4. Stick this whole topper on the ribbon. 
5. Gota flower Ganesha rakhi is ready.

DIY Star Rakhi for kids

We have used glitter foam and crystal embellishments to make this rakhi. It is another perfect project to do with your kids.

Foam embellishment rakhi with buttons/ Butterfly with flowers rakhi

What you need:

• Readymade foam embellishments – We have used a butterfly embellishment
• 2 red flower shaped buttons
• Silver ribbon
• Glue

How to make butterfly with flowers rakhi :

1. Stick the foam butterfly on top of silver ribbon.
2. Stick two red flower shed buttons on each side of the butter fly.
3. You easy-peasy rakhi is ready.

Jute flower rakhi

What you need:

• Readymade jute flowers in different sizes- red and green colors
• Sticky crystal embellishments 
• Red satin ribbon
• Glue

How to make jute flower rakhi :

1. Stick the small jute flower on top of the bigger jute flower.
2. Stick the crystal embellishment in the centre of small flower.
3. Now stick this on a satin ribbon.
4. You easy-peasy rakhi is ready.

Easy handmade paper diamond crastal rakhi

What you need:

• Handmade paper
• Little diamontes / craft crystals/ rhinestones
• Big crystal/ rhinestone
• Glue
• Satin ribbon

How to make jute flower rakhi :

1. Cut a diamond shape out of the handmade paper.
2. Stick red rhinestones on the edges of the shape.
3. Now stick the big crystal in the centre of the diamond shape.
4. Stick the little rhinestones around the big crystal as you wish to make it look more beautiful.
5. Now stick this rakhi on a satin ribbon.
6. Your handmade paper diamond rakhi is ready.

DIY Resham/ Silk thread Rakhi

Here is a simple tutorial to make resham/ silk thread rakhi.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5P5H-Hsdr1M

Handmade Felt and Button Rakhi

Here is another beautiful but simple idea to make rakhi using felt and button.

DIY Rakhi with card stock

Check out this simple tutorial to make card stock rakhi

DIY Punch craft Rakhi 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hR12_usOx_A

DIY Quilled Rakhi Ideas

If you love quilling, it can be used to make numerous designs for making your own rakhi. Here are some lovely design ideas.

Braided Silk Thread Rakhi ideas

Braid together colourful silk thread to make braided rakhi. You may also braid to use it in place of ribbon and embellish it with any topper.

Lego Rakhi

Take inspiration from this lego friendship band to make your own lego rakhi for lego fanatics. All you need to do is drill two holes and pass the braided strings.

Personalised Rakhi with Names/ Letter

You may use letter beads to make personalised rakhi for your children.

 

 

Ribbon flower Rakhi

Here is a simple tutorial for kids to create a ribbon flower rakhi.

DIY Rakhi envelopes

You can also DIY Rakhi envelopes with this easy tutorial

DIY Rakhi Thali/ Platter idea

Here is a simple tutorial to make a beautiful rakhi platter/ thali

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpBWQRwXGQ4

Hope these will give you enough ideas and inspiration to make your own rakhi this Rakshabandhan. Most schools conduct rakhi making competitions during this time. You can use these simple ideas to help your child make few of those in school. Do share this article, if you found it helpful. It keeps us motivated. Leave a comment to let us know what you feel.

You can follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Youtube.

The post 30 Handmade Rakhi Ideas- Easy DIY rakhi for kids appeared first on ShishuWorld .

How to dress your child as Krishna for Janmashtami

Tips to dress your child as Radha for Janmashtami

Krishna Janmashtami is coming soon and it is a joyful festival for Hindus. Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated by Hindus to celebrate Lord Krishna birth on this day. This festival is celebrated on the ashtami or eighth day of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) of the month of Bhadrapad (August–September) according to the Hindu calendar. It is also known as Krishnashtami, Saatam Aatham, Gokulashtami, Ashtami Rohini, Srikrishna Jayanti, Sree Jayanti or sometimes simply as Janmashtami.

It celebrated with great fervour in Mathura which is the birth place of Sri Krishna and Gokul and Vrindavan where he spent his childhood. Ras lilas are plays which are conducted on the occasion and depict the life of Lord Krishna. In Maharashtra, the festival’s highlight is dahi handi, where a pot of curd is hung at a height and groups of people try to reach it and break it by making human pyramids. People also fast the whole day taking prasad after midnight, which is considered to be the birth hour of Lord Krishna.

One of the features of this festivals is dressing up little children as Krishna or Radha. Little Krishnas are known as Bal Gopal and today we will share some tips on dressing up your little Bal Gopals and Radhikas.

Tips to dress your child as Krishna

Get a dhoti kurta in yellow color / white & red color, dhoti with stole

The kurta used in Krishna costume is usually angarakha style with a ready-to-wear dhoti. You can easily get these sets in shops.

You may also dress your little gopal in a dhoti and a scarf or stole. For babies, ensure that you dress them up in cotton costume so that they are comfortable and not too overwhelmed.

Here are a few sets with dhoti kurtas along with all the accessories to make your job easier. You may choose one out of them.

Accessories for Krishna Costume

Krishna Mukut/ Crown,  Mor pankh or Peacock feather 

If you already have a dhoti kurta, you can buy just a mukut or crown. You may also make your own with some golden paper and embellishments. Peacock feather or mor pankh is a must for a krishna crown.

Flute or Bansuri

No krishna costume is complete without a flute or bansuri. You may get a decorated flute as part of the costume or get a plain one and decorate it using silver/ golden ribbons or gota and embellishments. 

Jewellery for Krishna costume

Light-weight, fake jewellery is perfect to make your little krishna look authentic. 

Pearl necklaces, little silver payals or anklets, arm bands, bangles etc. are commonly used.

You may also make your own jewellery using silk bands and flowers.

Tips to dress your little girls as Radha

Little girls dressed as Radha look beautiful and festive. My 5 years old love dressing up as Radha and looks forward to the festival.

Lehenga/ ghaghra for girls – Radha costume

You may dress your daughter up in a lehenga choli or ghaghra choli that you have at home. If you are planning to buy a lehengas for your daughter for this occasion, then buy a Gujarati or Rajasthani style cotton ghaghra.

Jewellery/ Accessories for Radha costume

 You may make your child wear pearl or fake golden necklaces, silver anklets ,bangles, crown etc.

Flower necklace and armlets also look very beautiful, so you can make those.

Flowers in hair look great too and will make your child look like an authentic Radhika/ gopi.

Makhan Matka/ ghada

A small earthenware or metal ghada which has been decorated using silver/ golden ribbon, mirrors etc. will form a perfect accessory for your little radha.

Points to remember when you dress your kids as Radha, Krishna

• Ensure that the costume that you choose are comfortable for kids and made from natural fabrics like silk or cotton.
• Keep make up to the minimum and do not force if your child does not want kajal etc.
• Keep the jewellery light and skin friendly.
• Check all accessories for any sharp edges which can hurt your little one.

Hope these ideas will help you in planning and celebrating Krishna Janamshatami and making this day special for your children and the whole family.

Recommended:

30 handmade rakhi ideas

Ideas to dress up your kids for Independence Day

The post Tips to dress your babies, kids as Krishna, Radha for Janmashtami appeared first on ShishuWorld .

Teacher’s Day is celebrated in India on the 5th of September every year. This day is dedicated to Dr. Sarvepalli  Radhakrishnan.

The World Teacher’s Day is celebrated on 5th of October as a day to appreciate the contribution teachers to our society. Teacher’s appreciation Day or week is celebrated in different countries on different days to commemorate the memory of a local educator.

I was also a teacher is my previous life for some time and I know how good it feels when a student makes you feel appreciated. Now that my daughter is in preschool and she absolutely adores her two preschool teachers, we make cards and gifts for her teachers every year.

This year, I have shortlisted some awesome ideas from around the internet to help you in your crafty endeavours.

Teacher’s day Card ideas

Check out our very popular teacher’s day card and chalk box which we made 2 years back and numerous mums and kids made them for their teachers.

Teacher’s Day Card and DIY Chalk Box gift

DIY Teacher’s Day gift ideas from Plaidonline

This cute DIY bookmark cum card from Yellow bliss road is also a great card as well gift idea for Teacher’s Day.

Teacher’s Day gift ideas

Crayon themed gifts for Teacher’s Day from MomItForward

Pencil themed Teacher’s day gifts

Pencil frame for your child’s favourite teachers from The Crafted Sparrow

Pencil Flower Vase

This is such a cute idea and still quite easy to do. I have seen a few more project where one needs to to cut the pencils to a particular size to make DIY object, which can be difficult for school children. In this project, whole pencils are used, which is quite easy.

Method

What you need:

A tall cylindrical glass (A pringles container may also be used, if you do not want to use glass)

Packs of pencils to cover -here yellow wooden pencils have been used, but you may use whatever you have available.

A ribbon to form a bow

Strong glue – hot glue gun

Ribbon

Plastic flowers to decorate

Method:

1. Using the hot glue gun, stick the yellow pencils to cover the outside of the glass completely.
2. Tie the vase with a ribbon bow.
3. Decorate the flowers in the ready vase.

Hope you like these ideas to make cards and gifts for Teacher’s Day. Do try a few of these ideas and make your child’s teacher feel appreciated. Do not forget to share what you made with us here.

The post 10+ Teacher’s Day Card & Teacher’s Appreciation Craft ideas for kids appeared first on ShishuWorld .

Broccoli Soup for toddlers, kids

Broccoli recipes for kids

I love soups! Soups are not only hearty, but also versatile and you can always turn them into something that is different from what you made last time.

Broccoli is a very healthy vegetable but I have heard from may mothers that their kid does not like broccoli because of its strong taste. My daughter too didn’t like broccoli as a toddler and I remember I used to make broccoli soup which she would have readily. My daughter loves her soups and I have already shared some soup recipes with you all.

Plain tomato soup for babies

Tomato and Carrot soup for toddlers

Now she loves broccoli and I can simply steam or boil it, season it with a little butter, salt and pepper and she loves to eat it as finger food. She also loves it on top of her pizzas and in her pastas.

I feel the broccoli soup helped in converting her to the other side. This broccoli soup recipe is delicious, easy to drink for kids and hides any pungent taste that they may dislike.

Broccoli soup for kids

How to make Broccoli soup for kids

Ingredients

2 cups Broccoli cut into small florets

½ cup carrots cut into dices

1 medium onion sliced

4 cups Chicken or vegetable stock

2 teaspoons olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

2 tsp fresh cream

1 tsp Butter (optional)

Recipe

Heat olive oil in a large pan.

Add onions and sauté till they become soft.

Add carrots and sauté for some more time.

Add broccoli and sauté well.

Add salt and pepper to taste.

Sauté well for 3-4 minutes till you get nice smell and vegetables look shimmery.

Add stock and bring to a boil.

Simmer uncovered for 10-15 minutes and remove from fire. Let it cool for few minutes.

Use a hand blender to blend or put in a blender to make a fine puree.

Heat a little butter in pan and add blended soup and mix well.

You may now adjust consistency by adding more stock and also check salt and pepper.

Simmer for 2 minutes, add fresh cream and serve hot with croutons or bread sticks.

Tips:

1. You can make your own vegetable stock by boiling stalks of broccoli, carrots, onions and other vegetables that you are not going to use with some salt, cloves and black pepper corns. Simmer for 15-20 minutes, strain and you stock is ready.
2. You can also add some potatoes to broccoli soup for kids. That will make it creamier and also give it more body.
3. You can also add cheese to the soup to make cheese broccoli soup for kids.

Recommended:

Broccoli, Mushroom and sesame seeds salad

Bottle gourd and Apple Soup for babies

The post Broccoli Soup for kids / Broccoli recipes appeared first on ShishuWorld .

We have been posting quite a few craft and DIY projects for the past few days and love how positive the response has been. I received a few messages to share some more simple toy projects for kids and that reminded me of this toy camera that we had made some time back and it was published on our sister site. I decided to include the project in ShishuWorld as this means that this craft toy camera project has the potential to reach many more people.

Children have their whims every now and then and my daughter had asked for a Dora camera few days back (Dora is her favourite obviously). Now, I am a big believer in DIYing toys rather than buying store-bought toys at the drop of a hat. I still need to declutter so many of her toys which she keeps receiving as gifts.

I did this before, when I made her microphone which is still one of her favorites. This time we made the camera using thermocol from packing stuff.

What you need to make DIY craft toy camera for kids

1. 2 inch thick thermocol
2. 1 small paper cup
3. Colored printed sheets
4. Stickers to decorate
5. 1 inch ribbon – around 2 feet long
6. Adhesive tape
7. Double-sided tape
8. Scissors and glue

How to make DIY craft toy camera for kids

• Cut thermocol into a 4 inch by 3 inch rectangle.
• Carve a small top out of the thermocol using a paper knife.
• Carve a small square to act as the shutter switch.
• Paint the paper cup in your favourite color.
• Cover the camera body with colored paper.
• Attach the shutter button and top using glue and tape.
• Attach the paper cup using double-sided tape to form a lens.
• Attach the ribbon using glue and tape to form the strap.
• Decorate with your favourite stickers.

This is such a simple project and perfect for toddler and pre-schoolers. I remember my daughter enjoyed this camera for a good few weeks. If you have DIYed a toy like this, we would love to know. 

The post DIY craft toy camera for toddlers, kids appeared first on ShishuWorld .

What food can you give to child when s/he has loose motions?

What to feed when baby is sick?

One of the most common queries that we get is what food can be given to babies, toddlers and kids when they are sick. It is heart-breaking see your little one suffering and refusing food. You also want the child’s appetite to return, but one has to remember that it is normal for children to lose appetite when they are sick.That prompted us to come up with this comprehensive guide post to list what food can be given to babies, toddlers and kids when they are sick and the food that will help in their recovery.

We will categorise the safe food options ailment-wise and age-wise too.

Food to give to babies when they unwell

Breastmilk

Breastmilk is the best remedy for babies whenever they are sick. Not only does it provide the fluids that their tiny bodies need to recover, but it also provides antibodies passed from mother’s body to help fight the infection.

The way it works is that when baby nurses, she passes some of the antigens from saliva into mother’s body through breasts. This causes mother’s immune system to produce antibodies to fight that infection, which are passed to baby’s body with breastmilk. This helps their little bodies to fight the infection and recover faster.

Food to give to toddlers, kids when they have Loose motion/ Diarrhoea

When your kids have loose motions, they do not want to eat much and you do not want to give anything that might make their condition worse. 

What food to give to a child suffering from loose motions

When a child is suffering from diarrhoea/ loose motions, you want to give food that is rich in starch and which can help in binding the stools. The food that you offer should:

• be easy to digest
• replenish fluids in body that are getting lost through loose motions.
• Can replenish the lost electrolytes

Dal ka paani – dal ka pani is great for replenishing lost fluids from the body. 

Overcooked white rice – do not use brown rice as it has more fibre than white rice which will make the condition worse.

Arrowroot powder porridge – Dissolve some arrowroot powder in water and cook for a few minutes with a tiny amount of salt and sugar.

Khichdi – Khichdi is always the best food to go for when your child are sick.

Curd rice – Curd helps in digestion as it boosts the good bacteria in the gut. Do not put any tempering into the curd rice while your child is unwell.

Buttermilk – Butter milk also provides good bacteria and rehydrates body.

Applesauce – For very young children, apple sauce is recommended as it helps in binding the stools.

Vegetable soup/ broth – You may make this soup and then strain it as you do not want to give too much starch. This soup will help in rehydration.

Banana – Banana too is rich in iron and potassium and helps in controlling diarrohea by replenishing these minerals.

Pomegranate juice – Some people suggest pomegranate juice during loose motions too.

White bread/ Toast – Again, you much prefer white bread in these case and not brown bread as white bread has more starch.

Sabudana kheer/ porridge – Sabudana or sago is also very rich in starch and helps in digestion as well as growth of good bacteria in the intestines to help recovery from loose motions.

Idlis – Idlis are a great recovery food and also tick all the checkmarks when you want a food to help your child recover from diarrhoea.

Oral Rehydration Solution – And to rehydrate, you give the ORS at regular intervals.

What not to give

• Dairy as kid might develop temporary lactose intolerance. Curd however is good as it is easier to digest and the amount of lactose is much less.
• Cauliflower, broccoli,beans, peas, chickpeas and other green leafy vegetables which may cause gas and may aggravate condition.
• Fried foods and any food that is rich in fats or sugar. Do not give chocolates or candies at this time.
• Foods rich in fibre like brown rice brown bread, raw salads are difficult to digest and hence they should be avoided till your child recovers.

The post Food to give to baby,toddler during Diarrhoea/ Loose motions & Vomiting appeared first on ShishuWorld .

10 Cute Navratri dresses for girls and boys 

Navratri or the festival of Dussehra is approaching. This festival may be called by different names in different parts of the country but it is celebrated all across. The ten day festival is called Dasara in South India and involves lovely Golu dolls decoration, In North India, it is called Dussehra and signifies the victory of Lord Ram over Ravan. Effigies of Ravan are burnt and there are huge carnivals set up for 5 days. In Eastern India, these days, more importantly the last 5 days are celebrated as Durga Puja. In West India, the celebration lasts for nine days and is called Navratri. The celebration means Dandiya and Garba dance dressed in traditional finery.

Whatever it might be called, the festival involves a lot of good food, revelry and dressing up. I thought  of doing some cute looks for children this festive season. All these are simple and comfortable, which can be used in schools too for ethnic days.

Navratri dresses / looks for girls

Frock style lehenga for girls

This is a very cute lehenga for girls for any occasion. It has frills on the lehenga which makes it unique.

You can buy this lehenga here.

Cotton Lehengas/ chaniya choli

Cotton lehengas and chaniya cholis are the best when it comes to navratri season. They are comfortable and traditional too. And you can reuse them for school ethnic days as well as Janmashtami Radha look.

This is a really simple yet elegant cotton lehenga for girls. With pleasant colors and a simple got pati work, this lehenga will work for any occasion.

To order this lehenga, you can go here

Cotton lehenga for litle girls

I love this little lehenga choli set and am ordering this for my little girl. It is very simple for young girls and still gives the traditional look. The camel and elephant motifs give it a unique yet traditional look.  

To order this lehenga, you can go here

Cotton Chaniya choli

This is a traditional chine choli which will look great for navratri or even a garba/ dandiya night.

To order this lehenga, you can go here

Self Design Girl’s Lehenga Choli

This is a patty pavadai from south of India, a really cute look for little girls. The bright colors in these pattu are just right for festive feel.

Go here to get this look.

Navratri look for Boys/ Ethnic wear pics for boys

As much as I love little girls in cute lehengas and salwar suits being a mother of a girls myself, I equally love little boys dressed up in ethnic wear too. From kurta pajamas to angrakhas to dhotis to indo-westerns, choices are quite a few. Let su take a look at five of our favourite looks for little boys this navratri or even for Diwali.

EMBROIDERED KURTA and dhoti PANT SET FOR KIDS

I love this kurta and pant set. It appears comfortable and still is quite festive. You may even reuse it for the Janamashtami dressing next year as it is the perfect color and design. This set is available in few other colors too like blue.

Get this elegant angrakaha here

Kurta Pyjama and Waistcoat Set for Boys

This is another very cute look for boys. Kurta pyjama and waistcoat sets are really in these days and look really cool.

Order this set here

White Pure Cotton Kurta Pyjama

This is the evergreen white kurta pyjama look for boys, perfect for any occasion and this can be used for ethnic days in school too.

Get this kurta pyjama set here

Bengali Dhoti Kurta set for boys

If you are from Bengal and are looking for the traditional kurta and dhoti look for your boy this Durga Puja, then this set is perfect for you.

Order this set here

Kurta Pyjama for boys

This is a pretty unique kurta pyjama set for boys as it does not have the typical churidar but the salwar with printed kurta. This one is sure to catch eyeballs.

You can order this set here

If you choose any of these looks for your prince or princess, do let et us know through a comment.

The post 10 Cute Navratri dresses for girls and boys appeared first on ShishuWorld .

Diwali is my most favourite festival of the year. We have just finished celebrating navratri and are now gearing up for celebrating Diwali or Deepawali at the end of this month.

I had shared this post a couple of years back and you will how special this festival is for me and how sentimental I am about it.

Meri Ghar Wali Diwali

Diwali also known deepawali is celebrated across India and is synonymous with yearly deep cleaning of homes, sweets, family bonding , new clothes and of course lights. Today we will share 50+ ideas to celebrate Diwali in a fun and child-friendly way.

Diwali Cards

When you make a diwali card, it is best to use the usual symbols of Diwali which everyone relates to. The easiest ones are diyas, candles, lights, crackers, rockets, chakras, flower pots or anar, lanterns. You may also use traditional religious symbols like Ganesha and swastik. Use a lot of glitter, shiny paper, sparkles to make it shiny and pretty. You may also use quilling to make diyas, candle flames etc.

We made this lovely, yet simple DIY 3D card for diwali last year. It has 2 diyas, flower pots and lots of sparkly stars. We also used glitter pens to make it more festive. Click the link below to see detailed step-by-step process.

3D Diwali Card DIY

Here are some more simple Diwali card ideas for you.

Diwali crafts for kids

Diwali is a great time for you to do some crafts with your kids to teach them the significance of this festival and like always have a great bonding time.

Other than the cards which we have suggested above, you may also make some simple crafts.

Easy Paper lanterns – Diwali crafts for kids

What you need:

Colored sheet – A4 size

Scissors

Glue or stapler

How to:

Cut a trip of the A4 sheet to make the handle.

Now fold the paper into half lengthwise.

Make equal cuts into the paper about 3/4th of the width.

Open the sheet, now make roll to attach the wide ends of paper to make the lantern.

Finally attach the handles.

We also made this handmade diyas from clay and glittery puja thali using areca plates and stencils.

Turn your old CDs to beautiful diyas

Handmade Diwali Toran

Torahs instantly make the entry beautiful and festive. From a simple traditional toran made from mango leaves and marigold, to ready-made ones available easily in market, you have numerous options. If you want to make your own toran this year, try these simple ideas.

Here are some pretty torans that you can order online.

Books to read during Diwali

Diwali has a number of stories attached to it, the most popular being that Lord Ram and Sita returned to Ayodhya on this day after 14 years of exile and people lit their way with diyas.

Diwali is a festival of 5 days, so at this time you can read books and tell stories to children to teach them about the significance of each day. 

Diwali Rangoli ideas

Rangoli is an important part of Diwali or any other Indian festival. Decorating your house and entrance to welcome Goddess Laxmi is one of the reasons alpana or rangoli are made. Here are some pretty rangoli designs.

Home decor ideas for Diwali

Here are some pics from my home as well as from the web which might help you in decorating your home this Diwali.

Use lots of flowers

Flowers make any Indian festival more beautiful. They make your house looks instantly festive and colourful. You may use flowers in rangolis, in toran or bandanwars. 

Place diyas and candles

This is of course a no-brainer. Take out your most beautiful candles and diyas and place them all over keeping in mind the safety concerns. Do not place diyas near curtains etc.

Use brass, copper and bronze thalis, diyas etc.

Take out your brass lamps, broke thalis, lotas, glasses etc. and decorate your rangoli , diyas display, flower displays etc.

Use pretty dupattas to decorate your tables, couches etc.

I love using old, beautiful dupattas during this time to drape the couches, use them as table runners and even to decorate the curtains.

Get out those special, colourful cushion covers and bed spread reserved specially for this festival 

Now is the time to deck up your house with those silk cushion covers. Use bright colours like oranges, red and yellows.

Get dressed in traditional wear

I always dress in a sari during Diwali and my daughter dresses up in a lehenga or a pretty salwar suit. My husband loves his kurta pyjamas. It just makes everything more festive and special.

Diwali recipes for kids and the whole family

Here is a menu that you can plan for your family this Diwali.

Menu Planning for Diwali Kiddie Party

Safety tips for Diwali

Now after all these festivities, let us take a pause and realise that Diwali can also be dangerous, so it is necessary to keep safety as priority.

Top 20 tips to have a safe Diwali with kids

Hope these ideas will help you in planning your Diwali in a better way and make it a joyous occasion for you, your kids and your whole family.

The post 50+ Diwali Crafts, Cards, Books Rangoli, DIY Toran, Home Decor ideas appeared first on ShishuWorld .

Feeding schedule for 5 years old -So, our food charts for babies are very, very popular and thousands of parents access and use them everyday. I have been getting requests to give sample schedules for older children too. Now, I do believe that most children find their own schedule and regulate their appetite according to the needs of their bodies.

However, after repeated requests I decided to share the schedule of my own daughter who is 5 years old and is in preschool at the moment. Hopefully, this will give some idea to all the anxious parents.

Daily Routine/ Eating/Feeding schedule for 5 years old

I am just giving her daily schedule that we follow mostly. Of course there are days when we do not follow this schedule, but we do most days and it works for both of us. Her school starts at 9:15 and is quite close to our house. My husband drops her so we have a little more relaxed morning routine than if she had to go by bus.

7 -7:30 am : Get up

My daughter gets up between 7- 7:30 am. I usually do not have to push her too much as she has always been a morning person. I try not to disturb her bedtime too much as that affects her in the morning. After getting up she freshens up, brushes her teeth and we get ready for breakfast.

7:30- 8:00 am : Breakfast

We usually keep minimum 15-20 minutes for breakfast, because my daughter takes that much time to eat. I try to give her something filling along with fruit. I also try and give her milk in some form as she does not like to drink milk.

She usually has some sort of porridge in the morning, mostly oatmeal with nuts and raisins or suji porridge again with nuts and raisins. Along with them I sometimes give her a small banana if she feels like it. There are days when she wants sandwiches which are again very easy to make. Her favourite is tomato and cheese sandwich.

8:15 – 8:45 am : Bath & getting ready for school

Her father helps her with bath and getting ready for school. She is 5 and half now, so she can dress herself up with very little help from us. I usually lay her clothes out for her, but there are times when she overrules and decides to wear something completely different. Her school does not have a uniform yet, so she can wear what she likes. We normally stick to t-shirts and leggings or dresses with leggings. I always go for leggings or jeans, as she is in a montessori and they sit on floor so they protect her legs.

Snacks & Lunchbox

In the meantime, I prepare her tiffins for school. She has two breaks in school so I send a snack for for snack break and then a lunchbox with something heavier. I try and pack things which she will actually eat and not just bring back.

Snack options:

I usually give some cut fruits in a box along with some snacks which she can eat easily. Her favourite fruits are apples, papaya, watermelon, strawberry, chikoo & kiwi, which are easily available. 

My go to snacks for her along with fruits are:

• A slice of cake if we have baked that weekend.
• Roasted foxnuts
• Mathri
• Besan laddu
• Peanut butter and jam sandwich
• Glucose biscuits if I am in a real hurry
• Corn with butter
• Veggie sticks

Lunchbox options that I give to my 5 years old

I try and pack something more filling in her lunchbox. She still does not like to take rice items in her lunch, so those are not an option for me. Hopefully, by next year she will start liking them too. She also does not like to take curries, so i usually give her fruits in this dabba too and sometimes some curry which she loves like chhole or paneer.  I also pack veggies sticks or boiled corn for her sometimes as she love them.

Along with fruits, I pack smoking of parantha, puri, dosa etc,

• Ajwain parantha
• Palak parantha
• Aloo paratha
• Paneer parantha
• Ajwain puri
• Puri with chhole
• Sandwich
• Dosa with sambhar/ honey
• Idlis with sambhar/ dal
• Veg pasta 

3: 00 pm

Her school gets over at 2:45 pm and we are usually home by 3:00 – 3:15 pm. Then her normal routine of changing, freshening up etc which can take as long as she likes.

3:30 pm

I give her something to eat at thing time, whatever we have had for lunch, normally a small chapati with dal and vegetable curry and some rice, salad and curd if she wants. I also feed her this meal at times because she needs that bit of pampering.

4:00 – 5:30 pm

She does not get any homework, so she does whatever she likes. We sometimes like to snuggle and rest while she tells me what happened in school and then she goes on to do her drawing, writing or playing with her grandmother.

5:30 – 6:00 pm

1 small cup of milk with something light.

6:00-7:30 pm Park time

She goes down to park to play with her friends. On days that she cannot go to park if she is sick or if it is raining, we watch half an hour of TV or sometimes visit a friend in the apartment or she does whatever she likes. She is good at finding ways to entertain herself.

She has water/ juice once she is back from park as she  does not drink a lot of water by herself, so I flavour it a little and then she has it.

8:00-8:30 pm Dinner Time

She has her dinner which is normally one egg, 1 chapati and whichever vegetable we are having. 

9:00 pm Bedtime

After dinner we change, visit the bathroom, brush teeth and go to bed. We, either I or her father, read at least 2-3 books at bed time and then she sleeps by herself, in her own bed in her own room. We recently did her room for her and she took to it like a fish to water. So proud of her for that!

So that’s it! This is my the daily routine of my 5 years old. Of course, we do not follow it like clockwork but it remains so on most days.

What we do follow diligently, however, are:

• Do not delay bed time on school nights.
• TV not more than one hour in a day. We do not have any fights about it, since she knows it is bad for her.
• No gadgets are allowed – she still might get an occasional peak into our mobiles or tab but she knows it is bad for children.
• We have regular talks about junk food and healthy food.
• I do not ban all junk food and she has her occasional donuts and mango shots, but she knows they are only for occasions.
• We do not have colas or soft drinks. She knows they are bad for her and has no inclination towards them.
• She does not like too many chocolates/ candies, so I do not have to control her there. I guess the delay in giving her sweet stuff helped in this case. I did not add any sugar in her food till she was over a year. If you want to know sugar-less recipes for babies, you may check out the recipes and our youtube channel.

This routine might make her appear to be a perfect angel and me to be the luckiest mom in the world. While I do consider myself to be the luckiest mother in this world, it is not because my child is perfect, it is because she is who she is. We have our tough days, when she does not want to eat anything, when she is irritable and drives us up the wall and throws things and tantrums, when she only wants  that one thing which is not available. But, all of that is part of growing up and every child goes through those days trying to figure themselves out.

If you like this article, do leave a comment to let us know and share it in your circle.

Related:

Vegetarian Meal Plan for 2 years old

Non-vegetarian Meal Plan for 2 years old

Food Chart for 1 year old baby

18 Healthy Recipes for picky kids

The post Daily Routine/ Feeding Schedule of my 5 years old Preschooler appeared first on ShishuWorld .

The story goes back a couple of years! My daughter had turned 2 and she used to go to a play group close to our home. She was super happy there and being the happy, mingling child that she always was, she was the only child who never cried for mommy during that year.

Like every parent, we wanted to provide the best for our child and started looking for a school where she could start her formal schooling. We did our research, asked around other parents and finally zeroed in on a reputed school where many other kids from our apartment were also going.

So, the new session started and as expected A was very excited to go to her new school, wear her uniform and also to go in the bus with her friends. First few days were as expected, though she would definitely be tired by the end of the day. But a couple of months or so later, she started showing reluctance to go to school, which was quite uncharacteristic.

We had attended the first PTA and teachers seemed to be friendly and were quite impressed with how fast she could grasp what they were teaching.

But within a couple of months, the excitement turned into unwillingness. She would cry in bus for mommy and every now and then she told she did not want to go to school and then some days she would come quite happy and things would appear to be improving. We were naturally worried and spoke to other parents around. All of them assured me that most kids take time to settle and she should be fine a few months. For me however it did not provide any solace, since this was not her first experience of school. 

We went to talk to her teachers and they assured us that everything was fine. Her anxiety seemed to be increasing with time for no apparent reason. She told me that some child in the class had hit her and one of the teachers had asked her to stand outside the class. When I spoke to the teacher, she vehemently denied it. There came a time when I would call 2-3 times a week to check if she was fine in school.

She was too young to tell us clearly what was bothering her, but she was clearly not happy. 

Then came the time for second PTA and we decided to discuss her discomfort in detail with the teachers. Unfortunately, when the teachers told us about her, it was as if we were talking about completely different children. They told us she was a shy child who had trouble making new friends and she was not comfortable if they put her in new situations like stage performance. We were appalled as she is one of the friendliest kids I have seen and had already given 2 stage performances in her play school with aplomb.

So we started to look for another school, talked to many parents, spoke to the school heads and finally zeroed in on a school. We were quite apprehensive about this new school too because of the previous experience. But thankfully, this school is everything that we had hoped for and more. She loves her school. Even a suggestion of changing the school meets with a vehement ‘NO’. She is again one of the friendliest kids and teachers frequently take her help in making new kids comfortable. She enjoys her monthly show-n-tell activities and loves spending time in school. She also loves her school mates and teachers and she misses her school even during holidays.

So we finally found the perfect school for her, a school which she loves and which allows her to express her personality without fear and without any undue stress. Here are a few points which we learnt from this experience and might help any other parent who is struggling to know whether her child’s current school is right for him/her.

If most of these points are true, there is something wrong with your child’s school and you might start with talking to the teachers and get to the bottom of what is wrong:

• Your child refuses to go to school, even after 3-4 months without any visible improvement
• Your child might get ready but panics at the sight of school or school bus.
• Your child refuses to get out of the bed despite having had enough sleep at night.
• Your child seems to be losing his/her personality. S/he seem quieter than before.
• Your child appears dull and irritable.
• Your child finds it difficult to socialise and make friends.
• It is affecting other areas of their life, like s/he seems uninterested in areas which s/he loved previously like dance, art or sports.
• School complains about your child being hyper-active or having ADHD. In such a case, it is best to talk to authorities about why they think so and consult an expert.

I was told by well-meaning friends that their children cried in the bus for almost 2 years before coping finally, so I should just let her adjust herself. I am glad, I didn’t listen to them.

Please remember that your child’s school might be crowned the best school in the whole city, but it may still not be right for your child. Every child’s needs are unique and just choosing the school with biggest name or most fee may not be enough. So, give your child the benefit of doubt instead of simply assuming that s/he is not able to cope. Putting further pressure on your kid could only worsen the already bad situation for him/her.

The post How I knew my daughter’s school was not right for her!! appeared first on ShishuWorld .

What are the Popular Christmas Carols for kids?

Carols for Children to sing during Christmas

Christmas is only a couple of weeks away and my daughter has got the opportunity to go carol singing with her friends in our apartment. I had to look for the popular carols everywhere and so I thought it will be good to share them here with y’all.

Popular Christmas Carols : Joy to the World

The post Popular Christmas Carols : Silent Night, Joy to the World, Drummer Boy, Jingle Bells & more appeared first on ShishuWorld .

Brain foods for kids

What foods can increase memory in kids?

What foods can improve focus and concentration in kids?

We know that good food is the basis of the all healthy body functions and brain is no exception.We had shared some simple activities that can stimulate a baby’s brain and the boost brain development in babies and toddlers.

Do you know that there are some foods which can also aid in brain development and improve memory and concentration in kids.

Brain foods for kids : Almonds

Every one must remember how mothers used to soak almonds overnight and then give us first thing in the morning. It might look like an old wives tale but it is not without basis. Almonds are a proven super-food, which help in repairing brain cells and boost cognitive functions including memory.

Free radicals are responsible for breaking down brain cells. Almonds are rich in Zinc, which fights the free radicals in your blood stream. 

Almonds are also rich in vitamin B6 which promotes brain health and vitamin E which improves memory.

Brain foods for kids : Whole Grains

Most whole grains are high in fibre, so they get digested slowly, providing kids with a steady stream of energy, as well as giving them protein. Whole grains stabilise blood glucose levels. The brain is dependent on sugar or glucose for it’s optimum functioning.

Breakfast is critical for school going kids and children must have some whole grain items as a breakfast like chapati, paratha, idli, dosa, oatmeal, etc.

Brain foods for kids : Amla or Indian Gooseberries

Amla or Indian gooseberries have many many benefits. Amla is rich in antioxidants which fight the free radicals in body. Free radicals are responsible for attacking and breaking down brain cells.

Amla is very rich in vitamin C which helps in the production of norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter which improves brain activity.

The iron content in Amla facilitates oxygen transportation and prevents brain degeneration.

Brain foods for kids : Berries

Berries are rich in antioxidants as well vitamins. It has been seen that they can significantly improve memory as well as learning capacity. They also protect the brain from degeneration and oxidative stress.

Include all kinds of berries in you diet like strawberries, blueberries, black berries, jamuns etc. 

Brain foods for kids : Nuts

Nuts like walnut and peanuts are rich in vitamin E which protect nervous membranes and help ward off mental ailments like Alzheimer’s disease. Nuts also have thiamine to help the brain and nervous system use glucose for energy.

Brain foods for kids: Green Leafy Vegetables & Dark Green Vegetables

Green leafy vegetables and dark green vegetables like broccoli are rich in vitamins A and K which are responsible for slower mental deterioration. They also improve cognitive function.

Brain foods for kids: Fermented Foods, Full fat yogurt/ curd

Yogurt and similar fermented foods have been proven to improve cognitive responsiveness.

The good bacteria in fermented foods can have mood altering or anti-depressant effects

Brain foods for kids : Water

Water is an often overlooked nutrient for good mental growth and health. Water and brain health are intricately related. Brain cells need two times more energy than other cells in the body. Water provides this energy more effectively than any other substance.

Good hydration by drinking ample amounts of water will not just help with better thinking, it can also help in preventing attention deficit disorder in kids as well as adults.

Brain foods for kids : Eggs

Eggs are rich is vitamin B12 and essential fatty acids.  Egg yolk contains concentrated amounts of choline while helps in  brain development in foetus and kids. Choline also helps in memory development.

Brain foods for kids: Fatty Fish

Fish like salmon, trout, sardines and mackerel are full of essential and omega 3 fatty acids. These essential fatty acids are important for healthy brain function as well as well-being of heart, joints and our general wellbeing.

These help in keeping your brain running smoothly and also improve concentration in kids.

The post Brain foods for kids: Top 10 foods to increase Brain Power in kids appeared first on ShishuWorld .

Last week my daughter had to do a show n tell in her school. They have these show-n-tell activities every month and children enjoy them thoroughly. So, children are assigned a theme for show-n-tell based on that month’s theme and kid’s can choose what they want to speak about. The children have to talk 6-8 sentences about the selected topic and it helps them build their confidence and get them used to public speaking.

 This time their theme was flower and my daughter chose to speak about Lotus. It turned out quite well and her teacher asked her to perform for other sections too. I thought of sharing it here, so that it might give ideas to any other parent whose child is looking to do a show-n-tell on a similar topic.

So, we at first started with discussing about the lotus and I wanted to see what all she already knew about it, so that we can incorporate that into the show-n-tell chart. We finalized 8-10 points about lotus and also found a rhyme that she could sing at the end.

Below are the points we selected, in case you want to use the same.

1. Lotus is a beautiful flower
2. Lotus is the national flower of India
3. Lotus can be pink, white, red or purple.
4. Lotus grows in muddy ponds.
5. Its thick stem goes all the way down to the soil and the flower and leaves float on top of the water.
6. Lotus opens in the morning and closes in the evening
7. Goddess Laxmi & Saraswati love Lotus flowers.
8. Lotus stem can be made into a tasty curry.
9. Lotus seeds are roasted and they are so delicious.

Lotus Rhyme

The beautiful pond is my house

Where toads & frogs sing for us.

We bathe in the sun-lit morn

And wait for the next day to dawn

We have waxy flowers and leaves,

When the rain drops we do tease.

Our stems are thick and long,

And our roots are very strong.

Next I typed those points in a document and took a print out. Then we cut out the strips according what we wanted to place on the chart together. You can get an idea from the picture below.

Then, we looked for appropriate pictures to use in the collage. I wanted to involve her in this step. So, instead of simple finding pics on google and printing them, we decided to go the old way. We took to old magazines and picture charts and found pictures from there.

Then, we placed them in the order that you can see in the pictures. We also added a few more points that my daughter wanted to add.

Hope these ideas will help you in case you want to create this show-n-tell for your kids.

The post Show n Tell activity for Kids- Lotus appeared first on ShishuWorld .

8 ways to air quality of your home

How to improve the air quality of your home

What can you do to keep your family safe from air pollution

Most of us know that outdoor air pollution in India is way beyond guidelines. But, do we know that indoor air is generally 10-30x more polluted than outdoor air.  This is a fact reported by WHO. I was quite taken aback to read this.

There is a rise in cases of Asthma and Bronchitis during festive season. Even if you do not contribute to rising pollution levels, you cannot escape the air pollution our collective festivities cause around this time.

As we know a lot of Indian cities are reeling under alarming levels of air-pollution and are frequently among the most polluted cities in the world.

In winters, indoor air quality can be hazardous and can trigger allergies, asthma attacks as well as bronchial issues. I am myself a longtime sufferer of bronchitis, so I know how treacherous this season can be. Along with irritants like dust, mites and pollens, it can be a night mare for kids and adults alike.

There are some measures that you and I can take to improve the air quality of our homes.

1. Vacuum carpets, sofas and upholstered furniture frequently – Carpets, fur and upholstery collect dust and can worsen the symptoms of asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory ailments. To fight these, vacuum often and avoid heavy carpets and upholstery as much as possible
2. Use aerosol free personal care products – Aerosol based personal care products like deodorants, perfumes, body sprays and hair sprays leave aerosol residue which lay suspended in the air around you. Hence, by not using the aerosol- based products, you are taking a step towards a better indoor air quality of your home
3. Keep shoes outside home – This age-old practice that a lot of Indian homes follow has a lot of weight to it. When you travel outside, your shoes collect all kinds of dirt, chemicals, germs and mold. When you walk inside with same shoes, you are transferring those pollutants to your home’s carpet and floor
4. Avoid smoking indoors as it is harmful for not just your health but also the health of your family members
5. Choose an air purifier that is patented with Duotron technology that actively reduces the growth of viruses and bacteria in the air, outside of the air purifier. Eureka Forbes has recently launched Aeroguard 4s which has been made keeping Indian conditions and pollution in mind. It is a smart technology air purifier, which is a combination of Swiss Design, Smart Sensors and Simplified Controls & maintenance that provides pure and healthy air indoors’

6. Do good maintenance of you indoor air purifiers

• Regularly clean and change air filters. If you can, switch to air purifiers with Swiss HEPA^TM filters like  Aeroguard 4s that are highly efficient  and capable of removing up to 99.97% of micro particles, such as fine dust particles including PM2.5, pollen and mold spores

• They can also suck up smoke by incense sticks and eliminate the odors from the air, so choose an air purifier with intelligent sensors and super suction powers

• Air purifiers can greatly help by removing pollens and allergens from air. If you have young children and senior citizens at home who are more prone to asthmatic and bronchial attacks, choose a good air purifier to help them.

7. Avoid getting dehydrated by drinking plenty of water, since indoor air can often get very dry

8. Lastly, keep yourself fit with regular exercise as there is no substitute to that

We hope these tips will you in improving the air quality of your home and in having a healthier winter.

Can you think of other ways in which we can improve the indoor air quality of our homes? We would love to hear from you.

Recommended Read:

Top 10 tips to improve immunity of kids naturally

35+ home remedies for cold and cough in babies & kids

The post 8 ways to improve air quality of your home appeared first on ShishuWorld .

Once your child crosses that 2 year mark, most parents start thinking about schooling of the child. And why not! It is one of most important decisions that you will make for your child that will affect not just the next few years of her life but her whole life.

You know how strongly I feel about schools being kid-friendly, since I myself have had a not so good experience. Do read the below article if you haven’t already to see how we figured out it was not the right school for my daughter.

How I knew my daughter’s school was not right for her

Age criterion for admission of school

When you visit a number of schools you will find that different schools allow admission of kids at different ages. For example, for a kid to take admission in Nursery, some schools allow as early as 2.5 years while some do not allow anyone less than 2.10 years at the beginning of June. So, do check out the how it works in the school of your interest.

Fee and other charges

Check out the tuition fee and other fee like admission fee, transport fee etc. that the school charges. 

Check if the fee needs to be paid in instalments or in one shot.

Check if there are any sibling discounts that the school provides.

Infrastructure of school

Check out the infrastructure of the school, playgrounds, class rooms, sports facilities etc. See if all the facilities promised in the vouchers are there.

Ideally, the class rooms should allow plenty of natural light and should be roomy.

Check if the school provides after-school day care, if you are going to need it.

Check out the transport service of the school and what safety features are followed by the authorities.

Curriculum followed by the school

You must know which curriculum that school follows. There are many options in curriculum whether  you child goes to pre-school or higher classes. In pre-primary level, you may find different methodologies like Montessori, Play-way, Rudolph Steiner etc. Take time to find out about them and see whether it will suit you and your child.

For primary and above, you may choose between CBSE, ICSE, IB curriculum. We were very clear that we wanted CBSE school for our child as according to us it is best suited for children in India.

Timing of the school

Do check out the timings at which the school operates and if it suits your child. Ask about the session start and end dates.

Strength of each class / Student-teacher ratio

This is another criterion which you should check when visiting/ looking for a school. You want the strength of a class to be comfortable such that you child will get enough attention as well as opportunities to develop and shine.

Find out the core values of the school

This is perhaps the most important to understand and might be difficult to gauge from a superficial visit, but it is important to try and find out what the school stands for and if they have a philosophy or is the school just another way to make money for the owners. When we chose our daughter’s school, we spoke to the founders as well as parents and felt that the authorities felt about children’s education and all-round development passionately.

We wanted a school which did not just stress on academics, but focussed on the all-round development of children. 

I recently had the good fortune of interacting with Ms. Shyamasree Chatterjee, who is the head mistress of School of India. Her thoughts on educating children resonated with me completely. She believes that every child should be given ample opportunities in both academics as well as sports, music, dance and other activities.
She believes in providing an environment to children where they have to work as a team and learn basic life skills like team work and accepting others as they are.

According to her, “School of India is a happy school. My first and foremost objective is to ensure that every child comes to school happy. A happy child learns better, learns faster. This happiness is ensured y giving a lot of freedom of thought, expression, words and action within the boundaries  drawn by the teacher. The teachers take classes like Science, Maths, English, Geography out in the open while maintaining discipline  and ensuring they don’t disturb other classes.”

You may find out more about the school here on their website: http://www.schoolofindia.com/

Get the feedback from other parents

Don’t forget to ask the parents whose children are already studying in that school for their opinion. You may do this in person or engage with the parents over internet.

Here is a feedback from one of the happy parents about School of India.

Visit the school and see for yourself

This is of utmost importance. Do take a tour of the school and see how it functions. For this take a prior appointment with the school as you do not want to disturb the regular functioning of school.

Here are a few questions that you must try and answer when you visit the school:

• Are the classrooms airy and do they have enough natural light?
• Check out how the outside play areas are.
• How is the student-teacher interaction?
• Above all, do the students in school appear happy.

What else is on your list when you go through this crucial process of finalising the school for your child?

The post Top 10 points to keep in mind when choosing a school for your child appeared first on ShishuWorld .

Chest congestion can be quite irritating and bothersome for anyone, but more so for babies and young kids.

Chest congestion is often due to viral or bacterial infection. Cold and cough can bother young children at anytime but winter season often brings with it viruses as well as bacteria that can cause these infections.

Babies immune system is still developing thus making them prone to catching cold often. It is said that babies and toddlers may catch upto 4-5 colds every year till the age of 5 years.

What is chest congestion in babies?

The nasal cavity and airways has mucus which protects the respiratory cavity and trap the particles that are floating around in the air, like dust, allergens, bacteria or viruses. There are tiny hairs called cilia which transport the mucus toward the throat. From there it can be coughed out or swallowed. 

This is the normal functioning of body, but sometimes there can be excess mucus or thicker mucus production in your airways due to a viral or bacterial infection. In such a case, your baby is not able to get rid of the excess mucus by coughing it or swallowing it. That causes one to start coughing more as the body tries to get rid of the irritants and clear your airways.

This is also known expectoration and in this case coughing actually tries to bring out the mucus along with the irritants and clear your airways.

Symptoms of chest congestion in babies/ toddlers/ kids

Congestion can be quite distressing for a young baby. Here are some common signs and symptoms which could mean that your baby is suffering frpom chest congestion.

Baby/ child does not want to feed as normal

A baby or toddler suffering from chest congestion might show fussiness towards eating or feeding. Baby might start feeding and then quickly quit feeding as s/he finds it difficult to breathe.

Baby/ child is coughing

Coughing is a common symptom of chest congestion as the body is trying to get rid of the irritants in the respiratory airways.

Low grade fever around 100 degrees

Cold and congestion may often be accompanied by low grade fever like 100 degree F. It is just the response of body’s immune system to fight the infection.

Baby/ child has difficulty sleeping

Continupus coughing and difficulty in breathing may cause disturbed sleep and baby / child may get up frequently.

Baby/ child is fussy and irritable

Child is irritable and does not enjoy the usual activities which s/he otherwise does.

Home Remedies to treat chest congestion in babies, toddlers & kids

Since most of the colds and chest infections are viral and viral infections run their course, antibiotics are of no use to treat them. The best you can do is try and relieve the symptoms and make the child feel better. Here are some common home remedies that you can use to treat chest congestion in babies, toddlers & kids.

Home Remedies to treat chest congestion in babies( below 1 year)

Steam inhalation

Steam can provide relief in case of chest congestion. For this the easiest way is to run a hot bath in the bathroom and sit there with baby in the steamy bathroom.

Saline drops

Saline drops can help in loosening the mucus and make breathing easier.

How to administer saline drops to babies the right way

Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is the best treatment for any illness in babies. The antibodies from mother’s body are passed through breastmilk and helps baby in recovering. It also provides baby with extra fluid which are essential for recovering from cold and chest congestion.

Mustard oil massage

Mustard oil has natural warming properties and is great for treating cold and congestion. Do a gentle massage on baby’s feet, chest, back and palms with lukewarm mustard oil.

Benefits of Mustard oil for babies, kids

What is the right way to massage baby

Ajwain potli/ Carrom seeds remedy for chest congestion

This is another age-old remedy. Heat some ajwain or carrom seeds on a tawa/ skillet , put them in a cotton cloth and make a potli or packet. Gently give fomentation on baby’s chest with this lukewarm packet. Be extra careful to check the heat.

Increase fluid intake/ Lots of soups

For babies, the best way to do this is frequent breastfeeding. For babies above 6 months, you may also give clear soups and warm water.

Eucalyptus oil

Eucalyptus oil can help in making breathing easier. Put a few drop of oil in a handkerchief and place it near baby’s bed.

Home remedies to Treat Chest Congestion in Toddlers ( 1 year and above)

Turmeric milk/ Haldi doodh

Turmeric milk or haldi wala doodh also known as golden milk is an age-old Indian recipe which has found favour across the world in recent years. Just boil milk with some turmeric, col it down and give it to you toddler or child.

Tulsi juice with honey

Crush tulsi leaves to extract the juice, mix with a teaspoon of honey to help with chest congestion.

Carrom seeds / Ajwain smoke inhalation

    

Roast ajain or carrom seeds on a tawa and help your child inhale the fumes.

 

Homemade cough syrup with onion and honey

Chop half red onion and add it in a cup of honey. Let it sit overnight. Remove onion and use this as a cough syrup.

 

Garlic mustard oil massage

Heat mustard oil with a few pods of garlic till garlic is almost burnt. Let it cool and massage baby’s hands, feet, back and chest with this oil.

Eucalyptus oil steam

For older children, you may add a few drops of eucalyptus oil in the steam water.

Camphor coconut oil massage

Heat coconut oil with a little camphor and let it cool. Massage your child with this oil.

Lemon and honey syrup

This is my favourite remedy for cold and chest congestion. Take half teaspoon of lemon juice and half teaspoon of honey and give to your child 2-3 times a day.

Home remedies to Treat Chest Congestion in Kids above 5 years

Ginger honey home remedy

Mix 1 part ginger juice to 2 parts honey and give to your child 2-3 times a day.

Homemade Kadha/ Tulsi & spices tea

Add 2-3 cloves, 1 piece ginger, 5-6 crushed pepper corns, 5-5 tulasi leaves in 1 cup water.

Boil till water becomes half.

Add misri or rock sugar and give this 2-3 times a day.

Bay leaf & pepper tea

In 1 cup water, add 1 baby leaf & 8-10 crushed pepper corns, 1 piece ginger and boil till it becomes half.

Add misri or rock sugar and give this 2-3 times a day.

Jaggery, ghee and black pepper balls

Take 1 tablespoon jaggery, 1/2 tablespoon ghee, and 1 teaspoon pepper powder. Mix well and make small balls. Give 3-4 times a day.

These remedies are all age-old and tried and tested over generations. We do hope you will find these helpful and not get distressed when you see you baby suffering from cold and chest congestion. As it is commonly known, these colds improve baby’s immunity by helping their tiny bodies to prepare antibodies to fight future attacks by these viruses.

The post 20 Home Remedies for Treating Chest Congestion in Babies, Toddlers & Kids appeared first on ShishuWorld .

We have received many requests for sharing how to introduce chicken and fish to babies, so today I do just that. Our previous post on how to introduce eggs to baby has been super popular and we have been getting amazing feedback for it.

5 ways to introduce eggs to your baby

You can introduce chicken to baby who is 9 months old and above. Chicken is a lean protein and is considered one of the healthier non-vegetarian meal options.

Nutritional benefits of introducing chicken to baby

Chicken is an excellent source of protein and provides complete protein. i.e. all nine among acids. Chicken is also a lean protein and is not too fatty as compared to red meat.

Chicken is also a good source of vitamin B3 and B6, phosphorus and selenium which is an antioxidant.

Points to keep in mind when introducing chicken to baby

• Chicken is usually safe and does not cause allergies, but when you give it for the first time be on the lookout for adverse reactions.
• If baby shows any reactions like rash or indigestion, stop it and retry after a few weeks.
• Give only a small amount on day one and then gradually increase the quantity.
• It is usually recommended that you give chicken around 9 months after baby has been introduced to other foods like vegetables, fruits and cereals. But you may find conflicting views on this.

Here we are sharing a few simple recipes using which you can introduce chicken in your baby diet.

Chicken & Vegetable Mash/ soup

This is a a filling and wholesome soup or mash which you can give to babies who are 9 months and above. 

Ingredients

Half cup  – Boneless chicken pieces

1 tablespoon – chopped onion

1 tablespoon – chopped tomato

One cup chopped mixed vegetable of your choice ( potato, pumpkin, carrots, cauliflower, peas etc.)

1 teaspoon oil / ghee

1 pinch cumin seed powder (jeera powder)

1 pinch coriander powder (dhaniya powder)

Recipe

In a pan, heat oil or ghee.

Add chopped onion and saute for a few seconds till it turns translucent.

Add chopped tomatoes and salute for a minute.

When tomatoes are a little soft, add pumpkin, carrots and other vegetables that you are using.

Saute for a minute and add chicken pieces.

Saute for couple of minutes to caramelise the hockey pieces.

Add cumin seeds powder and coriander powder 

Add 1 to 1.5 cups of water and bring to a boil.

 After it comes to a boil, turn the heat to simmer and let it cook for 20-25 minutes till everything is very well cooked.

Once it is cooked, you may either mash this with a wooden spoon or blend it in a mixer to a soup.

Tips:

If you feel there is not enough water to blend, you may add a little drinking water.

If you are making this soup for toddlers or older kids, then you may add a little salt and pepper too.

The post How to Introduce Chicken to babies: Chicken & Vegetable mash for Babies appeared first on ShishuWorld .