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Ekya / August 13, 2022 Posted by : administrator

If you are wondering how to give kids nutritional food that tastes yummy to your kids too. Here we have uncovered the tips & strategies to encourage your kids to eat right and nutritional food. 

Benefits of Healthy Food for Kids 

A healthy diet can have an immense effect on your child’s sense of mental and emotional wellbeing, which in turn can help in preventing serious health conditions. 

Encourage Healthy Eating Habits 

The sooner you introduce healthier and nutritious food items into your child’s diet, the easier it will be able to develop a lifelong relationship with healthy foods. Whether they’re toddlers or teens, here are some of the tips to encourage healthy eating habits in your child’s diet:-

  •     Experiment with the taste of healthier foods- You can play around with the appeal of healthy food by adding some sweet dip to the slices of apples or can add mashed potato into the carrots. Also, the green vegetables and broccoli can be made delicious by adding some masalas or butter to make the dishes healthier and fun to eat for kids. 
  •     Cook More Meals at Home- Restaurants and cafe meals consist of more oil and refined carbs, which can impact your child’s health. So, try to prepare most of the time delicious and healthy meals at home. You can give them a break in their routine on some days and allow them to eat at restaurants for just a change. For instance, create a routine for Mondays to Saturdays and allow your kids to eat at restaurants on Sundays. 
  •     Make healthy Snacks Available- Snacks are the most important aspects that kids binge on. Keep more healthy snacks & beverages at home on hand for the kids such as flavored fox nuts, Rava Upma, etc so they can avoid soda, chips, and cookies, or any other junk food.
  •     Offer choices

Try to offer a variety of choices to your kids so that they can establish a sense of independence and gain trust. No one likes to force something and it’s hard, especially for toddlers or older kids. For instance, giving the choice between apple slices and celery with peanut butter will give the kids to choose from what they are craving. Instead of running over the healthy foods, try to make your child overall a nutritious & balanced diet. Create a food plan where they get varieties of vegetables, fruits, and nuts in their meals. You can mix up and experiment with their dishes to create their mealtime exciting. 

  •     Decorate their Food – Make it colorful 

Experiment with the food presentations to make the overall appeal of the dish exciting and interesting. The appeal of the food is an important criterion that makes mealtime fun. Also, it leaves fond memories of food as they grow up. 

  •     Introduce them to cooking 

Kids are more likely to give a new food a try if they have a hand in making it. You can start with basic tasks like stirring a bowl or tossing the salad or measuring the ingredients. As they perform these simple & basic tasks, they’ll see how the dishes and meals are cooked, arouse their interest as well as give a fundamental step for preparing their own healthy meals as they get older. 

  •     Don’t force it 

Introduce your kids to a variety of food items with different tastes and seasonings. Never force or push your picky eater’s kids rather, just encourage them to eat a nutritious & healthy diet. 

  •     Stop keeping track

Don’t keep track of your kids’ balanced meals in a day or a week. It’s obvious to strive for balance but don’t worry if it doesn’t happen every time. Kids’ appetites will fluctuate based on their activity, their mood, and their growth. Allow the kids to learn their own satiety signals. If your child is healthy and has an appropriate weight, then don’t worry about how much they eat in a meal. 

  •     Say yes to junk food 

You can’t expect your child to be an ideal person who always eats a nutritious & balanced diet. Sometimes allowing them to eat junk food or whatever they are craving, keeps them encouraged to have nutritious meals.  

  •     Make dessert part of the meal

Incorporate dessert to be part of the meal for kids, In this way, you can tempt your child to eat the whole dinner and also act as a “reward” for finishing the entire meal. 

Conclusion

In the end, just want to say that prepare your meals the way you normally would and keep the rest up to your kids. If you are looking for the best school in Bangalore, Karnataka that can teach the value of healthy and nutritious food at the time of pre-school & schooling age of your child, Ekya School is the finest among the others. We unleash the potential of the child and try to inculcate good healthy eating habits in the children. Furthermore, guide them to become better citizens while creating a happy & homely environment of learning.

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Ekya / April 03, 2024

The Power of Learning with Intent: A Guide to Purposeful Education

In a world brimming with information, the art of learning has evolved beyond the mere acquisition of facts. Learning with intent, a deliberate approach to education emphasises quality over quantity, depth over breadth, and purpose over passive absorption. It’s about cultivating a mindset that transforms knowledge into meaningful action and empowers individuals to navigate the complexities of the modern age effectively.

At its core, learning with intent involves setting clear objectives and actively engaging with the subject matter. Whether exploring a new language, delving into scientific principles, or honing a creative skill, intentionality infuses each learning endeavour with purpose and direction. As Albert Einstein aptly said, "The only source of knowledge is experience." This quote amplifies the importance of active participation and hands-on learning, highlighting that true understanding arises from deliberate engagement with the material.

Furthermore, engaging actively with the material is paramount. Embrace challenges and embrace mistakes as opportunities for growth. This proactive approach not only deepens your understanding but also cultivates critical thinking and problem-solving skills essential for success in any field.

Moreover, learning with intent emphasises relevance and applicability. Seek out opportunities to apply newfound knowledge in real-world scenarios, bridging the gap between theory and practice. By contextualising learning within your personal or professional sphere, you enhance its significance and utility, making it more likely to stick.

In conclusion, learning with intent is a transformative approach that transcends traditional notions of education. By setting clear objectives, engaging actively, prioritising relevance, and fostering a growth mindset, individuals can harness the full potential of learning to achieve their goals and thrive in an ever-changing world. So, embark on your learning journey with purpose, and let each lesson propel you towards a brighter, more fulfilling future.

By Sweta Pradeep Rao

Senior English Educator

Ekya School JP Nagar

Ekya / April 02, 2024

Gadget-free Summer Break

With summer vacation around, I urge parents to explore various ways to facilitate children to make healthy choices during their vacation time.

Last week, when we asked our Early Years to visualise their characters and create a story, most of them came up with stories about ghosts and monsters attacking others.  When we had conversations about what gave them this idea, we understood that these story ideas emanated from their online games. While gaming per se develops specific skills and requires focus, it also stifles the imagination of young children. Since it is visually appealing, children tend to remember those images in their heads all the time.

I often see parents providing very young children (1 year to 3 year olds)  with gadgets as the means to keep children engaged and entertained. I see children watching phones in the waiting areas of clinics, hospitals, school lobbies and banks.

This brings us to a fundamental question “ Should children be engaged by parents all the time?” Not necessarily. What is likely to happen if children were not handed over gadgets at the waiting lounges? What would they do? Some of them may cry, some may throw a loud tantrum, and some may crib. If parents show resilience and allow children to settle down themselves, they will soon find ways to keep themselves engaged. Likewise, during summer vacation. What if this is a “no gadget” vacation and parents do not take up the responsibility to engage their children? What would children do? How can parents show resilience here and facilitate children to make healthy choices? I leave the readers with this thought for this summer vacation.

Mathangi R,

Head of School,

Ekya NICE Road.

Ekya / April 02, 2024

The Eye of the Storm

In the hushed embrace of an Indian evening, our journey began, a symphony of anticipation orchestrated by the hum of jet engines and the flutter of boarding passes. The promise of adventure beckoned from distant shores as we boarded our flight bound for the United Kingdom, our hearts aflutter with dreams of far-off lands and newfound horizons. But as we soared through the velvet sky, a foreboding shadow loomed on the horizon, a harbinger of the chaos that was soon to unfold. In the blink of an eye, the tranquil serenity of our airborne sanctuary was shattered by a deafening crack, a burst of purple lightning that danced across the heavens with an otherworldly fervour. The air crackled with electricity as the plane shuddered beneath the force of the storm, its metal frame quivering in defiance against the tempestuous onslaught. And then, in a heart-stopping moment of sheer terror, the heavens unleashed their fury upon us, casting our fragile vessel into a maelstrom of chaos and uncertainty. The sky darkened to a shade of ominous charcoal as the winds howled with a primal ferocity, tearing at the wings of our faltering craft with savage intent. The cabin was awash with panicked cries and frantic prayers as we clung to our seats with white-knuckled desperation, each passing moment stretching into eternity.

And then, as if mocking our feeble attempts at control, the plane tilted almost 180 degrees, its nose plummeting towards the earth with a sickening lurch. Time seemed to stand still as we hurtled towards the ground, our fate hanging in the balance as the world spun wildly out of control. But just when all hope seemed lost, a glimmer of salvation emerged from the chaos, a beacon of light amidst the encroaching darkness. With a mighty roar, the engines surged to life once more, their thunderous symphony drowning out the cacophony of the storm as we clawed our way back from the brink of oblivion. As the storm clouds parted and the sun cast its golden rays upon the horizon, we emerged battered but unbroken, our spirits buoyed by the triumph of the human spirit in the face of adversity. And though our journey had been fraught with peril and uncertainty, we emerged from the crucible of the skies stronger and more resilient than ever before. For in the crucible of adversity, we discovered the true measure of our strength, our courage, and our unwavering determination to defy the odds and chart our course through the tempestuous seas of life. As we touched down on solid ground once more, I couldn't help but marvel at the beauty of the world around us, a testament to the indomitable spirit of the human soul.

Arjun Narasimhan Kuppuswamy

Grade 8C

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A Beginner’s Guide on How to Develop A Reading Habit For Our Kid

Reading is one of the most vital skills that children need to develop in order to achieve lifelong success. However, the bitter truth is that today kids prefer to watch TV and spend most of the time on mobile phones, laptops and tablets. The reason is simple, today's generations of parents don’t focus on how to encourage good reads in their child's daily routine. 

Getting Your Child Interested in Reading 

Reading tremendously enhances the children’s brain development, develops their language skills, and increases memory retention and concentration. The sooner you introduce them to books, the easier it is to instill reading as a habit. Parents should be encouraged to take necessary steps to help motivate their tiny tots for becoming rampant readers from a younger age.  Incorporating the habit of reading in children can be a challenging task for many parents. Isn’t it so? If yes, here are some of the tips you might find useful for encouraging your child to be a bookworm. 

Tips to Encourage Good Reading Habits in Kids

  • Create A Reading Area
Good reading habits start from home. One of the best ways to nurture a love for reading in a child is to create a designated reading space in your home. It isn’t necessary to be huge or have a lot of bookshelves but can be a tiny little corner equipped with lots of good reads that your child will love. Make it cosy for reading by bringing up a cosy chair with some pillows and can also put other necessary things that will help your child to enjoy curling up while reading their favourite book. 
  • Start at an early age 
Start cultivating the habit of reading stories, bedtime stories at an early age like after 1 year. This will foster imagination power, exposure to learning new words & help develop reading habits in kids in near future. Invest in some good short stories or board books and read them to your child whenever you both have quality free time. 
  • Set An Example
Be an avid reader yourself and read in front of your child as much as you can to instill a love of reading in your child. Children observe and follow the behaviors of adults in their lives. Whether you prefer reading magazines, books, newspapers or any other reading materials, what’s important is to make your child realize that you love reading and learning new things. Hence, try to set a good example for your child. 
  • Make a mini library
Providing a mini library with a vast array of reading materials to your child can help in developing the interest in reading. Surround them with all types of books including comics, magazines, sci-fiction books, and other sorts of reading materials so that the child can easily pick their interest. This will help demonstrate that reading doesn’t have to be limited to just academic books or in the classroom. Rather, they’ll see that reading is actually fun, entertaining and can be a great hobby. 
  • Discuss What Your Child Is Reading
Discuss the book he is reading, ask him the relevant questions like what has happened so far, what do you think will happen next etc. The more you ask questions to your kid, the more his love of reading will grow. 
  • Expose Your Child To Different Book Genres
Don’t limit your child to reading only a single author or one genre of books. Encourage your toddler to select and read different types of genres of books such as mystery, comic books etc to expand their knowledge and boost their level of interest in reading.  Developing positive reading habits can benefit your child in numerous ways. Partner with the best school in Bangalore, Ekya Schools, which is focused on building the reading & learning skills of their students. This will surely help your child to grow well and become a better citizen of tomorrow.

How to Educate on Gender Stereotypes

Societies around the world have traditionally evolved and functioned around concepts of gender-based roles and responsibilities. Within most societies, the men are considered breadwinners, and the women as caregivers and homemakers. Though these defined gender-based roles started to provide communities with a functional format, over time these seem to have been put into airtight compartments that are not functional anymore as per the requirement of the present society. It is thus important for students to realise that every individual has their own unique qualities, aptitude, interests and life views, and to be able to realise one’s true potential, one cannot always remain within the confines of these strict gender stereotypes.  There are many ways in which children can be made aware of what gender stereotypes are:  One of the effective ways is to discuss how media and society sets expectations based on gender. For example, the advertisements mostly show men going to the office and the women cooking in the kitchen, or the women serving everyone meals and then eating at the end themselves. The media sometimes also shows that the decisions for women should be taken by men of the household and that men must always display being strong and powerful.  By openly discussing such stereotypes, the discussion can then be steered toward the harmful outcomes of such ideas for society. For example, gender bias deprives many talented girls of higher education opportunities or the exposure to grow into financially independent members of society. Men on the other hand are put under emotional and psychological stress by the societal expectation that they should not share their weaknesses or emotional aspects and must at all times appear stern and bossy. Both men and women lose out on expressing their true selves under such situations, and it puts them into compartments rather than helping them grow into fulfilled and happy individuals.  Within homes and schools, empathetic discussions on gender stereotypes and their consequences should be discussed early on in a child’s life and they need to be encouraged to break free from such restricting ideas and realise their individuality:
  • Exploring gender stereotypes through stories: 
 Through stories of real men and women who have taken up professions that are considered not fit for their gender, or through make-believe cartoon characters the student can be taught how they can realise what interests them, pursue that field and get satisfaction in what they do. Otherwise, the general societal norms will keep most girls uninterested in science-based professions and discourage boys from taking up school teaching jobs, which are considered appropriate for women. The stories can also bring forth the fact that facial beauty is not the only important thing for girls and being macho does not mean men need to subjugate women. 
  • Exploring gender stereotypes through art:
Art can be a great equaliser when it comes to exploring, discussing and breaking gender biases. Through theatre, painting, sculpture and music, students can be encouraged to spread the message for a more equal society for both men and women, boys and girls. 
  • Breaking gender stereotypes:
Once the students are involved in discussions and debating about what constitutes gender expectations, they must also be shown the positive ways to break free of excessively restricting and damaging gender definitions. This can be achieved in school by giving the same roles and responsibilities to both boys and girls; e.g. both can clean the classroom, set tables at cultural events, lead the event and manage teams. There can be an equal representation of boys and girls on the student council, and each student should be encouraged to adopt a stream of education that they like without the fear of societal expectations.  At Ekya, we break gender stereotypes by giving similar responsibilities to both girls and boys, inducting an equal number of boys and girls within the student council and holding debates and discussions on topics such as gender equality and equal pay for equal work.  Conclusively, through open dialogue and by showcasing examples of gender inclusivity and respect, Ekya plays an important role in helping the educational, psychological and social growth of children.

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