Parenting
by gleefulblogger

Ways to Encourage Creativity in Kids – A Fun Learning

April 4, 2017
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“To Live Our CREATIVE Life We Must Lose Our Fear Of Being Wrong” – Joseph Pierce
With the onset of April, I am so relieved from the ever so tiring subconscious tussle of managing kid at home and continuity of regular work. April brings the school back in motion and the naughty little devils back to school. Such little packages but full of radiating energy, especially mine is a nonstop chattering box who wants 100% attention from me on the trickiest of times, her Creative juices comes out only when – either when I am on phone or writing my posts.
I am an ‘anti-gadgets‘ mom when it comes to diverting her attention, such devices are quite addictive and taking younger generation out of the real world to virtual one. When we go out with family or friends, I see mostly all the kids are either glued to some gadgets or their parent’s smartphones. I recall during my school days, when mom and I used to go out she would ask me to read all the boards hanging outside shops or would ask me to add the digits on vehicle’s number plates and tell. Those were the fun creative learning ways, in fact, I got addicted to such games so much that even today inadvertently I start adding up digits on vehicles when we go out 😀
But today the tide is different, we are living in an alien time-zone all together, Kids are much more smarter and hungry for information than us then. Their questions (massom sawal) make you wonder; ‘from where you get all these questions’. Just last night daughter asked me (recalling theme from the movie BOSS BABY) “Mommy, when kids come from heaven factory, why did teacher tell us differently??“
Hence, to keep these fuzzy logic questions at bay and to have some breathing space for myself… I sometimes seek easier ways to consume her energy. Here is my teeny-weeny list of some ways to bring creativity in kids and also keep them occupied:

1. Let them draw

Not necessary whatever kids draw turn out to be a Da-Vinci or Michelangelo, never snub them and let the creative juices come out. Mine is not good at drawing, I sit with her along with some plain sheets and color-box. We started this as a fun drawing some random lines and coloring but soon it became her favorite activity. Today when I see her drawings, I can clearly see her images are getting clearer and better. Her coloring stays inside the border lines and now she started playing with mixing magic.

Kids Craft Creative
Pic Courtesy – google images

 2. Be artistically motivated

Do you talk dance or music with your little ones?? Do you know what your child is really interested in? We see a kid dancing in some birthday party and literally force our ‘happy feet or not’ to tune to the same shoes. We see some random kids reality show – a singing competition and push our nightangle to humm the same. DO NOT PUSH KIDS for any activity, instead gauge what they are actually inclined in. Start with simple appreciation talks when see kids trying some moves or tuning to karaoke… the best way is to be their partner, help them take their first step and soon they will lead the way.

3. Different is good

“Creative minds are rarely tidy”

So what if they have different choices? So what if they do not want to join the whole class in dance or singing? So what if they wish to go the unconventional way.. let them go, never stop them. ‘Different is new IN‘, appreciate and motivate them to go ahead. Haven’t you heard or read about ‘Phogat Sisters’, they went the different way and rest is history. Tessy Thomas, the first missile lady of India – she was different in the beginning but today whole world knows her. So accept the differences and let them EXPLORE.

4. Share your hobbies

We all know kids imitate and try to be the same as their parents; so why not share your artistic love with them. Tell them your childhood stories and how you picked up your interests. My little one does not share my love for books, I tried a couple of times getting her hooked to visual, funny, lively books but to no avail. But when I told her several stories of how I started reading books and they became my best friends, she picked up one book and made it her bestie. Why don’t you try one with yours??

5. Never overdo

Learning & playing is all fun and we are talking about fun ways to bring out the creativity in kids, right!! So please keep ‘trying’ part undertone and do not push them into ‘robotic learning mode‘. Every child has their own abilities and learning capacities, so do not stress doing it your way. Being creative is not a necessity, it’s an art which picks the artist not the other way around.

Hope you like my list of ways to bring out the creativity in kids, I would love to read yours… Please share yours with us and spread cheerful ways to learn this summer vacation. Linking this post with #mondaymommymoments by lovely ladies  Deepagandhi1 & misra_amrita

Oh Yes, I am the featured blogger of week 13 on #MMM, thank you for choosing me and giving me the chance to write more for your amazing blog hop. Read my winning post here. Just to make me feel wonderful 😉

DIPIKA-WEEK-13

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environmental activities

4 Easy Activities to Teach Environmental Sustainability to Kids

June 23, 2021
21

Easy environmental awareness activities for kids? – Did we know, life will take a detour and we would be sitting inside four walls, watching the world in a standstill situation for over a year? No one imagined this, it was all like a part of some sci-fi fiction flick Hollywood made so proudly years ago. But, then here we are sitting inside our homes, working in an unconstructed 24/7 work-from-home situation. Relatively, in the same manner, no one knows what will happen when the environment starts reacting to our mistreatment.

It’s been a while, we (mankind) have been talking about sustainable environmental solutions, and a great amount of work has also been done in this domain. But is that enough? When we talk about “leaving a better world for the future generations”, we forget to involve the current younger generation in that crusade. I have listed 4 environmental activities for kids to teach them about sustainability.

1. Nature walks with Kids – Environmental Awareness Activities –

With my experience as a parent of a growing kid, I have learned any new teaching based activity should be easy and interactive. Keep it simple! Go on nature walks with your child, talk to them about plants, animals, environment, and the entire ecosystem in a non-shoving it on the face manner.

When you involve them in the discussion they will get equally interested and start gathering information about the topic. This means, research! Keep the discussion around the environment, starting from easier to difficult subjects. We kept it very easy and talked about soil quality, soil for plants, soil erosion, deforestation, etc. during our walks in the evening. Explain the need of acting now rather than just focusing on teaching them about environmental sustainability.

Read about Best low maintenance Indoor Plants for smaller places, here.

2. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Refuse –

We know the benefits of recycling used products very well, not just it saves cost but also brings a sense of responsibility to own up a part in the environment. Teach by example to reduce the waste generated, start composting the organic waste (if possible at home). Reduce buying stuff that is not essential, create a minimalist eco-system. Do not deprive them of genuine demands, but keep it realistic.

Reuse the old stuff by either recycling or switching to sustainable options. You may also get creative and add some DIY magic to reuse in the craft. Glass bottles instead of plastic pet bottles, steel tiffin boxes are much better than plastic ones, due to the non-invasive qualities of steel. Reuse kitchen water for watering plants or washing stuff, ask them to be part of this process.

Recycle – follow the symbol of recycled products and emphasize no single-use plastics in your household.

Refuse – I have introduced “to refuse” in our household to the items/urges that harm the environment. Say NO to the shortcuts, buy organic products with zero radicals, say no to plastic bags and carry your own cloth bag.

Credit – Kansas City Board of Public Utilities, YouTube Channel.

3. Calculating your Carbon Footprint Activity for Kids –

What is the carbon footprint? The amount of carbon dioxide released into the air, due to our energy consumption. We all are guilty of harming the environment, so why blame it only on technology and energy consumption. Ask yourself three simple questions, and check if you are energy efficient?

  • Do you close all electrical appliances and switches that are not in use?
  • How much water do you use throughout the day?
  • Do you unplug the not-in-use power adapters?

Inadvertently, we all commit these mistakes, despite being conscious of the environment. Run a small quiz to calculate carbon footprint with your kids, here. Source – https://footprint.wwf.org.uk/

4. Grow your own Food –

This may not look feasible option for many, living in the smaller flats/spaces but in future it is going to be our reality. With open spaces dying a slow death every year, due to various reasons it is time to teach kids – basic farm activities. Start with simple indoor gardening, teach them the lifecycle of plants by introducing to different seeds and potting details.

We can teach kids anything only when we practice it ourselves, talking about the alternative ways to save environment is a right start. Keep communication simple and directed toward creating awareness and not push them change. The more you push, farther they go from the cause.

With this post, I have completed the 3rd chapter of the #CauseAChatter campaign by the Blogchatter. I absolutely enjoyed writing and researching about environment-friendly ways to live. It is possible, only if we wish to change. I have tried it, and pretty happy with my small acts of kindness to nature.

This post is also part of Blogchatter Half Marathon challenge.‘

Copyright

©Dipika Singh. This article is the property of the site’s author. Any unauthorized use or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Dipika Singh (Gleefulblogger). With the right and specific direction to the original content.

5 Best and Useful Return Gift Ideas for Birthday Party

February 5, 2018
32

5 Unique and Useful Birthday Return Gift Ideas for Kid’s Party – Birthday Parties are the most loved and special occasion for children and their parents alike. A lot of planning goes into organizing even a small birthday bash for your child. Children wait a whole year to celebrate their birthdays in style and as per their latest fantasy. While organizing a birthday party for your child, planning the birthday return gifts take a major time and energy.

From the venue to food, dress to the theme, we keep a close watch on each and every aspect of Kid’s Birthday Party. However, when it comes to birthday return gift ideas, we stick to the same old usual gifts. It is time to change and give some unique and exciting return gift for the birthday parties.

Planning a Birthday Party

Children love gifts, everyone loves gifts, or let’s put it this way – Who doesn’t love gifts? We all do, isn’t it! But, when it comes to returning gifts we habitually stick to the same cliché choices. Return Gifts are the most ‘important’ part of organizing a Birthday Party and should be taken very seriously. A good and thoughtful birthday return gift imprints a happy memory for children.

Also, the return gifts should be planned as per age and utility aspects. There was a time when I had a pile of tiffin boxes and water bottles as return gifts. I had to give away most of those, used some as fridge containers and a few packed to be used later.

Before you plan a birthday party the first thing that goes into consideration is – the Budget. Once the budget is decided, next comes the theme, venue, food, and return gifts. It takes a lot to throw a good party and considering the time involved parents also go for the birthday party organizers or event organizers. There are different packages event organizers offer depending on your budget and requirements. Starting from the party’s theme to balloons, cake to accessories, and special attractions to the food menu, everything is taken care of by organizers. A birthday party for kids is complete only when all guests, especially the cute little ones go smiling.

Unique and most Useful Birthday Return Gift Ideas –

One should ask self – What is the best return gift for a birthday? There are various options available in the market for return gifts, but one must think of out-of-the-box ideas to bring a difference. Cliche gifts are either stacked or passed on to someone else, think of something that will imprint a memory or bring value to them. Here are a couple of ideas for birthday return gifts for kids under budget.

1. Number Finger Puppets –

Birthday return gift ideas for kids

Suitable for kids aged four and above, this is one of the most famous games purchased as a return gift and is also very useful. By the age of four, children learn basic addition and subtraction, and this numbered finger puppet game makes mathematics fascinating. Imagine wearing these tiny puppets on your fingers and adding/deducting easy numbers. It is one of the best ways to teach kids while having loads of fun.

2. Stationery Sets –

The most appealing thing for kids – is quirky stationery sets. Nothing appeals to children more than a brand new shiny stationery set. Make sure to use the right kind of materials and products. Recently my child has received a few environment-friendly pencils which contain seeds in the end tip. Once you are done with your pencil, plant the tip downwards in the soil. The seed will sprout into a plant with care. Trust me, kids love gardening.

3. Alphabet or Number Tracing –

I highly recommend ‘wooden toys’ for kids aged between 2 – 4 years of age. It helps children in memorizing things using their sensory memory. Learning the 26 alphabet becomes so easy when you have fun to learn toys, like the one from Skola Toys. Skola Alphabet Tracing Toy. Also available in upper-case or lower-case alphabets.

As the return gift is highly dependent on the budget, the items should be useful for the children and age-specific too. The birthday return gift ideas for 500 or less have a huge range of wonderful toys and other items to choose from.

4. Colour Learning Toys –

When my daughter was 3, she received a color-matching toy as a return gift for birthday from one of her friend’s party. It made color matching and learning so much fun for us. We matched the shapes and colors just by fitting the right pieces in the right places. Again, a wooden toy, to help children learn gripping and fine motor skills.

Return gifts for kids birthday party should be useful for all the children attending the birthday bash. It is perfectly alright if you have to segregate the gifts as per age and keep gifts gender-neutral.

birthday return gift under 500 rs

5. Puzzle Games –

We all love challenges and the popularity of Puzzle games is proof of that love. However, the key is picking the ‘RIGHT’ kind of puzzle based on the age and learning criteria of children. Easy wooden block puzzles of Shapes & Sizes are perfect for kids aged 2+. For 3+ kids – puzzles that challenge their mind, like matching the opposites, or Jigsaw puzzles, sequencing are perfect gifts.

Final Note –

Before selecting the return gifts, remember that this is the real take from your birthday party. Hence, must have a long-lasting effect. A thoughtful and useful gift is always appreciated. Toys are just not a pretty piece of art and craft, it also has the potential to teach and educate children. Read Learning is Fun with Educational Toys.

So, next time when you are planning a birthday celebration for your child – make the right choice of return gifts for the kid’s birthday. Hope you like these birthday return gift ideas, please share the post with your friends and leave a comment for us as your feedback.

Copyright

©Dipika Singh. This article is the property of the site’s author. Any unauthorized use or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links are used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Dipika Singh (Gleefulblogger). With the right and specific direction to the original content.

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