A regular day when Mrs. Bhat was finishing her daily chores, asking her daughter Anvika to complete her evening snack soon so that she could head out to play with her gang of girls. Her friends usually wait for her near the play area of their posh apartment complex. The kids are seen playing with bicycles, scooters and Frisbees around this time. But that day, Anvika was hesitant to go out. She sat staring at the floor, just brushing her fingers over the cupcakes but not eating them. “Anvika! Aren’t you done yet dear? Your friends would be waiting for you. Will you not go out today?” – Mrs. Bhat cried to wake her smart 10 year old up. But Anvika was still nowhere close to getting ready. Her mother was quite worried as Anvika is usually known to be a chirpy girl who always smiles and spreads happiness with her conversation. This dull face doesn’t seem to be something usual. Mrs. Bhat gently placed her hand over Anvika’s shoulders and asked her about her sadness. That’s when Anvika broke the silence, sobbed hard over her mother’s shoulders. It was then when she revealed something that bothered her at school.

Bullying is a psychological epidemic which is prevalent at almost all parts of the world. According to Janis R. Bullock, professor at the Health and human development department of Montana State University – “Bullying is a repeated, unprovoked harmful action by one child or many children against another one.” Bullying is seen among the group of every age group of children. School, play groups, sports clubs or art class. Bullying scenarios are found at each place.

Why is this Bullying such an important discussion for parents? Why do kids get bullied or why do some kids bully their friends? The reasons differ based on the physical appearance like size, colour or other factors like caste, socio –cultural or the economic background.

Reasons for bullying…

• Possibilities that some kids bully their peer as they themselves would be insecure about their appearance or any other elements that bother them. They find solace in judging and bully the others which might comfort them. The feeling of being dominant and strong after bullying is the prime reason behind their actions.
• At some cases it would be their extended format of an aggressive behaviour. Being adamant/stubborn results in the discovery of a victim who would visibly be weak and then, they try to control the actions of the others through constant bullying in the form of playing pranks, calling them names and making silly faces which would irk the victimised child. Thus gaining a pleasure which becomes a soothing routine.
• Some children also cultivate the habit of bullying after being victimised earlier from another bully. Being a prey builds up the frustration in them which in turn results in them following some rebellious footsteps and thus, a new bully is born.

Results of bullying…

• There would be a lack of confidence. Children hesitate to open up their true self as they feel extremely paranoid about people judging them.
• Children often fall prey to depression which stretches for long if not addressed much earlier.
• Losing trust or disheartening if the bullying is from the person he/she likes or adores much.
• The baseless feeling of being powerless and the belief of being unpopular among the crowd.
• Children develop a habit of loving their own company as nothing or nobody seems to be worth of spending time with. This in turn makes them Introverts and the cycle continues.

Steps to be taken…

• Teaching them to say NO. Tell them that “No” actually means NOT acceptable. It neither means i’m not interested nor that it can be ignored. Being clear about the intentions of not getting hurt prevents damage in the initial stage, making no way for any rectifications later.
• Any learning starts from home. Never ever try to mimic your child’s behaviour and tell her/him that it’s funny or silly. Ex: Calling your son a cry baby and making silly faces. The child might never come to you to share anything in the future just to avoid one more royal round of bullying from you. Cultivating this habit might let your child either curb the inner feelings or explode it time and again due to built up extreme frustration.
• DO NOT tolerate and DO NOT irritate. No matter its friends, siblings or anyone… bullying must not be encouraged. Either getting bullied or bullying someone else…A child must be aware that this is something unpleasant which is unacceptable and must be aware of the fact that this can actually make some sad.
• Value education plays a vital role. Being kind and compassionate is one of the best policies which can be inculcated to avoid any kind of unforeseen unpleasant situations. Never make any harsh comments in front of your child giving them a “Green Signal” indicating that –‘If my mom/dad can swear, then it is acceptable in my case too.’ Ex: Keeping cool while driving a car on a heavy traffic day – Takes a lot of stress management, but hey… it’s all worth it J
• Homework for parents – Keep a check on the places or the people whom your child interacts with. If you sense that something is bothering your child, try to spend more time with them instead of asking them directly. Involuntary behaviour speaks a lot about their personality. You never know – Your child may be a victim or a culprit who is bullying others and is trying to hide it from you.

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||Guru Govind dou khade, kaake laagoon paye
Balihari guru aapne, Govind diyo bataay||

This Doha of the social reformer saint Kabir Das translates this way-‘I see both the God and my guru. Whom should I first offer my salutations to? I first bow to my guru because he’s the one who showed me the existence of the almighty.

As Albert Einstein precisely opines “It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.” A good teacher teaches us the art of education but only a best teacher gives us a heart for education. Education doesn’t promise wisdom. It just gives us the ability to understand the concepts through the tangible resources which are available as book and other available sources. It’s only a teacher who could explain the true values of life, love, compassion, sacrifice and solidarity through his/her act and conduct.

Teachers’ day is celebrated in the glory of such amazing teachers who go an extra mile in rendering remarkable results in building tomorrow’s leaders who create resounding impacts on the society. They care, they punish and they help us to tackle the most difficult problems with simple solutions. September 5^th of every year, India acknowledges the spirit of such heroes who feel proud about the achievements of their students but take a back seat when taking credits for the same.

Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, a true visionary, a philosopher par excellence, a fine statesman who went on to become the second President of India was one of the most eminent scholars India ever saw. In spite of the modern way of education he underwent, Dr. Radhakrishnan was always grounded to his roots, which made him write an elaborate thesis about the “The Ethics of the Vedanta and its Metaphysical Presuppositions” which served as an apt answer for all the unwanted speculations about the Vedantas and its ambiguities of being ethical. He served as the Professor of Philosophy in the celebrated universities like Mysore, Calcutta, Harvard, Oxford and later came back to become the Vice Chancellor of the Andhra University. It was in his praise that after Dr. Radhakrishnan became the second president his students requested his to allow September 5^th – which is his birthday to be celebrated as Teacher’s day.

A teacher is not a person who teaches anything written in a book. But it’s him who constructs a citizen, builds a persona and establishes an empire of great educational institution. A school is incomplete without its essential pillar called Teacher who not just extends his support to the students to achieve academic excellence; but also paves the way towards the knowledge horizon which connects the students with their exceptional existence. The lessons would not be on mere Math and Science. But it would be on how to bring out the good in you, how more to contribute to this society and which are the active ingredients that would turn us into a humane soul.

According to Chanakya – “The teacher could never be ordinary. Both, construction and destruction, belongs to him.”  A teacher possesses extraordinary potential to either make or mar a person’s outlook. A great school is recognised by its discipline, tradition, academic quality and the legacy to run with. These are impossible to achieve without its core element called “A Great Teacher”.

Starting from our parents, we should be indebted to all our teachers who showered all their expertise and experiences on us. They all continue to inspire us during all walks of life. We imitated them, condemned by them. Got punished and then a pat for overcoming our flaws overwhelmingly. We love them and we miss them. Here’s to all the teachers who dream to accomplish our dreams and are committed to value our ambitions.

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Useless, Moron, Good for nothing, dumb-head, loser, failure… these words look disturbing when read or when we hear someone uttering such heart stabbing words. But will that be the same when we try to pronounce these while falling into some unfortunate circumstances? Unfortunate would be those circumstances if our children would be on the receiving end. Why do we at time indulge in a minor reprimanding with our kids? As they say “Parents scold us for our own good”, does scolding always mean for good? Or, could criticizing our child actually make them a better person? Introspective or say the perspective judgement of this condemning behaviour towards our offspring may result in certain changes in their behavioral pattern; either in childhood or in their adulthood which gives birth to various kinds of unpleasant experiences and traumatic patterns. Treating this is what is called as “Overcoming criticism” or the psychological resilience post the critical judgement.

According to the 2012 Lancet report, India is one of the most leading countries when it comes to the suicide rate of the young adults aged 15 to 29. The helplessness in accepting failure, inadequate parental guidance, enormous peer group pressure and the colossal continuation of heightened expectations are giving birth to some unwanted deaths. Low scores in the exams, lack of attention, inability to face the tougher situations, rejection from the trusted ones… these are the very few obvious reasons which could be opined from the news we hear about some tragic incidents happening with the youth of our nation.

Why is there a conflict?

• Critical parenting: This is the usual excuse given by any parent who denies the fact that they criticise their children. Elders’ stress, troubled relationship, the workplace tension or the societal pressure. If a child does not behave in the expected manner, some parents criticise which eventually develops into a habit.
• Comparision: This is when a child repeatedly compares him/herself to someone who is adored by others or is the one whom his/her parents always sing praises about. Comparing to someone superior is as good as criticising.
• Unable to recognize limitations: There’s nobody in this world that does not possess a single talent, nor seldom will you encounter somebody who is good at everything. Each individual has his own personal strengths and weakness, skills and limitations. Anticipation of excellence is very subjective as each cannot be good and one cannot be bad always. The patience in recognizing the traits and inclinations is a challenge by itself for any parent. Ex: A father is expecting his daughter to be a doctor while she is secretly nurturing her dream of becoming a dancer. A conflict between the father and the child will result in a hypothetical situation, either bad or worse.

The adverse effects of constant criticism:

• Loss of trust on the person whom he/she thought would care.
• Blaming or judging oneself or others usually towards the pessimistic side.
• Self pity with an inclination over shutting themselves up from external attention.
• Self protecting and self disclosed nature. “I am good at nothing” attitude.
• Constant feeling of agitation, fear and anger.
• Distrust in a relationship or fear of making any new relationships.
• Superfluous level of depression.

According to Dr. Kenneth Barish – “When frequent criticism persists, all other efforts to improve our family relationships are likely to fail.” So ‘better late than never’ it’s certainly not too late to save our sweethearts from falling prey for this mammoth mouth of depression.

Solving the criticism management problems

• The weekend theory: No person can continuously deliver better results if under stress. Give your child a cushion space to sort his/her things on their own unique way. Helping your son to clean up the mess initially will evoke a sense of responsibility which compels him to do things on his own, involuntarily – giving no room for criticism. ‘Work as a team, grow as a group’. Giving time to do stuff their way, gradually advising them patiently about the things in which they frequently go wrong can help them build a mountain of trust on you.
• Listening: Responding versus reacting can make a huge difference. Instead of becoming a referee try being a courtroom judge who listens to both sides of the story. Some things which look bad or nasty for us might actually mean something else for your child. Patience and frustration never gets along. A stress-free, cared and encouraged child will demonstrate a responsible behaviour who grows up to be a happy adult, less prone to depression. Ex: A bedtime story for your toddler or a grown up talk with your teenager can ease out a good chunk of mental dilemma.
• Not wrong to be wrong: In the poem An Essay on Criticism, Part II – the poet Alexander Pope states that – “To err is human; to forgive, divine”. Making mistakes and learning from those is the way the world works. So the next time your child makes mistakes- ‘Take a chill pill’ and let it go. At the same time teach your kids to accept the mistake done by them as these criticisms/advise are just references for them to go back someday and contemplate about what’s right and what’s ‘not-acceptable’.

If at all the criticisms had impacted so much, we wouldn’t have had some great stalwarts who carved a niche for themselves over the years, overcoming their biggest fear – FAILURE. Albert Einstein, Milton Hershey, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Edison, Oprah Winfrey, Walt Disney are some of the grand warriors who triumphed over this humongous ogre called REJECTION and are role models for those who thrive to project positivism out of criticism.

Personality Development for Kids

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In my last article I wrote how to protect our children from inadvertently stumbling across harmful unwanted things on the web without buying and configuring expensive tool. I must admit, these tools may work for the kids, but teens tend to react adversely to such restrictions. They will react the way teens are programmed to – find a way to dodge. Such attempts can lead to a much riskier situation. Parents need to support their children so that they can manage their online life in a safe, responsible and effective way. Here are 5 steps to achieve that-

1.     Do not criticize– Technology has changed the way todays children are growing up even in economically challenged households. Our children appear to be the natives of this digital world leaving us feel like immigrants. Adaption of digital media is happening at an increasingly younger age across every level of the society. So please do not criticize your children if they are playing their favorite online games or are on any entertainment platform. Such negative approach makes children not wanting to talk about their digital life.

2.     Allow your child to explore – Digital world is an ocean of opportunities- be it knowledge, games, entertainment or just connecting with people. We must acknowledge that digital skill is no longer a niche. It has become an integral part of our education system and one of the core competencies for a successful career. Keeping them away from the internet will deprive them from enjoying a constructive online experience. Allow them to explore so that they don’t feel left behind. Digitally responsible behavior would only grow through exposure and experience.

3.     Create awareness and Insist on critical thinking– Being children they have not experienced the real world as much as we have . That is why these young minds are more vulnerable to cyber risks. The only way we address this issue is to  make them aware about the potential online threats like common scams, fake profile, social media usage, cyberbullying, cyberstalking, cybercrime etc. Radicalization  is one of the major threats todays generation is facing and social media platforms are the easiest and most effective way to spread the message.   Discuss these issues at home to guide children how to think critically about what they encounter on the internet.   With your support they will be equipped to distinguish between genuine and false information or trustworthy and skeptical online contacts . 

4.     Encourage them to practice digital hygiene: Just the way we ask your children to wash their hands the same way we should encourage them to practice digital hygiene. Teach your children to create strong passwords and never share them with anyone. Instruct them not to use their pet’s name or birthday as passwords. Remind them to revisit privacy settings, update browsers and anti-virus on a regular basis to keep their data safe.

5.     Let them take charge of their digital life: Step away from their digital life after setting a clear boundary for screen usage. Let them take the charge and manage their digital identity. If a child can recover from an online mistake, he can avoid making the same mistake again. Please do not forget to interact with your children on a regular basis so that you can step in whenever required.

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Digital world is going to stay and we are in no position to ignore this fact anymore. As parents we should not also deprive our children from the ocean of learning opportunities the online world offers. While encouraging them to explore we must also protect them from inadvertently stumbling across harmful unwanted things on the web that can affect their mental development. Parental control tools can help you, to do that. You can block adult content, limit online time, restrict time of the day they are online and more. There are host of paid security tools available in the market that claim accomplish these objectives, however this article explores simple options available to each of us which can achieve a great deal without buying and configuring expensive tool. Let’s look at some of these briefly.

If your child uses a shared device or has one of his own, it is always advisable to have separate user profiles created for children and they never be allowed administrator permissions. All common operating systems have some level of parental controls built into them which can be applied to profiles. Some common once are:

Windows 10 parental controls:

The most common operating system used in almost all personal computers and laptops. Windows 10 allows the administrator (in this case parent) to set up separate profiles for children and then apply appropriate controls. Windows 10 can help you

1. Restrict internet browsing in Internet Explorer and Edge to age-appropriate sites.
2. Block mature content from search results.
3. Set age restrictions on apps, games, and media acquired through the Windows and Xbox stores.
4. Manage screen time, either via a schedule or a maximum number of hours.
5. Receive reports on web browsing and application usage

Watch this video to to understand how you may quickly set up controls in your Windows 10 Systems

Apple iOS parental controls:

iOS which is the operating system for ipads and iphones had a very robust system to set restrictions for children. You can set parental controls that let you turn off apps, stop children from downloading and buying new apps or in-app purchases and there is even a way to hide apps. iOS also includes a built-in website filter to keep adult content off the iPad without the need to buy special software.

Learn how to configure your iPhones and ipads for parental controls

Google Android Parental Controls:

A large majority of smartphones and some tablets use Google’s Android operating system, which also has several settings to restrict actions and apps. Android lets parents create restricted profiles for kids and control their access to age-appropriate apps.

Configure your Android smartphones and tablets for parental controls

Google Safe Search:

Another very important and potent tool to restrict explicit material from children is by configuring Google safe search. Since most web browsing usually commences from a search of appropriate content, activating safe search would let Google filter out the content of explicit nature from any search query.

YouTube video below helps you configure Google Safe Search

Kiddle

Kiddle is a visual search engine for kids powered by Google, offering safe kids web, image, and video search. Since search content in Kiddle is handpicked by a panel of editors Kiddle ensures a near safe search experience for kids.

YouTube Parental Controls:

Youtube is perhaps the most common user search platform after Google and lots of children access YouTube daily to view videos for entertainment and education. YouTube, like Google, has restricted mode setting that filters out objectionable and age-inappropriate material.

However always remember that neither of these parental control tools are not 100% accurate. These restrictions can even create trust issues between parents and children. Teens are more likely to react adversely to such restrictions. Along with setting up restrictions, parents should get into supervising whenever possible. Having open conversations about the online dangers will help children to manage these risks to a large extent.

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We all want our kids to grow up to be strong and confident individuals. However, it is not an easy task. And, we as a parent try our hardest to get the job done to perfection. For that, the first thing we must do is creating a positive environment in which our children can strive and do well in their future. We must make them understand how the world works today and help them learn things in a way in which they can grasp. The physical and mental development of a child takes place during their young age. Hence, we must focus on their personality development in their early years.

Top 10 tips for personality development for your kids

• It must be your number 1 priority 

Yes, being a parent must become your first priority. It might become tedious, managing both your work and home. However, you must spend quality time with your children, no matter what. The way you behave with your children during their early years has a great impact on them. Hence, make sure you utilize it to the fullest.

• Review 

When you become a parent for the first time, you are basically new to this. Therefore, reviewing yourself will improve your parenting skills and help your kid.

• Go over your behaviour in difficult situations.
• See how it impacts your child’s behaviour.
• Make sure your expectations from your child are reasonable.

• Don’t give labels

Putting labels on your kids is probably the worst thing you could do. Therefore;

• Never compare them with other children. This can really break their confidence.
• Let your child have his or her personality. Don’t ask them to change, just enhance it.
• Don’t make your child behave the way you want them to. Let them explore themselves.

• Accept it and move ahead

Nobody is perfect. So, the next time you are dealing with your child remembers this.

• Don’t expect the moon from your kid.
• Be sure you encourage them to do what they want to do and help them excel in the field they have chosen for themselves.
• Push them to achieve their passion.
• Never ever discourage them from bringing up something her or she is not good at.

• Pay Attention to your child 

Media, television, internet, pretty much everything has the power to influence your kid. Therefore, pay attention to all their activities and interests. Make sure you know about all the new things they learn.

• Be a role model

Your child looks up to you. They will always try to copy their parents and their immediate family. Therefore, especially in front of your children, you must be on your best behaviour at all times. This will also help you improve.

• Rules are important 

When it comes to developing your child’s personality, rules play an important role. Make sure you establish a set of rules to help shape your child’s future.

• Communication is the key here. Talk to them, start a healthy communication system with them. They must feel comfortable with you at all times.
• Create a strong bond with your kids.

• Punish, but not sternly 

Never ever abuse or hit your children. This has an adverse effect on them and can dampen their spirits, making them choose the wrong path. What you must do it. When your child makes a mistake, first make them understand. Tell them what is wrong and what is right. When you punish them, do it in a loving manner. You must let them know the reason why you don’t approve certain behaviour. Make sure you let them know that it makes you disappointed, but you love doesn’t decrease.

• Listen

Don’t underestimate your children. No matter what, give them your undivided attention. It makes them feel important and valued. Never shut them off without listening to them, even if it is something silly.

When your child has a concern, you must tackle it like it is the most important thing in the world. This makes them realize that you are their number 1 confidant. This will increase their confidence and strengthen your bond.

• Help them

Growing up is hard. Understand that. You were a kid once. Therefore, always be there for your kids to help them whenever they need it. However, you must not try to help when they don’t need it. It will make them feel less about themselves. So, help when asked. You are their main support. You are not just their parent, but also their friend, their guide and so much more. So, always stay will them through their ups and downs and help them move forward.

Just remember that every kid is unique. So, opt for a method that works best for your child. With your immense love and support, they will grow into confident and wonderful adults.

Also read

Tips for choosing the best school in India for your child

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“The great aim of education is not knowledge, but action” – Herbert Spencer

Rishi is a stupendous artist who wants to sketch out every small creation of the world in his doodler. Tanya loves to dance off her worries and channelize her energy into steps of creativity. Shravya finds bliss in the pages that have the yellow tint of stories and whose ink smells of nostalgia. And then there are hundreds of other souls who are driven by a passion to achieve purpose in their lives. But the question that walks beside them and seeks an answer continues- Is that enough?

Sports, dance, music, reading, poetry, baking, writing, theatre and many other extra co-curricular activities have assumed greater importance with time and have tried to acquire a significant position in the curriculum along with academics. But there is still a scope to balance the two domains to ensure a holistic learning of any individual. On one hand, academic forms a foundation of rationality and logical learning, extracurricular help in developing the skills and attitude. It is a blend of these qualities that shape an overall personality of every human and continues to evolve with situations and time. The only critical thing to be considered is- which out of the two deserves a higher place in terms of importance.

If extracurricular and academics were to be weighed, they would have balanced perfectly and that’s exactly how it should be. Some people believe that emphasis on extracurricular is taking away the chance for students to gain education. Little do they realise that education is not merely reading accounts of history or being mathematical geniuses, but it also involves learning teamwork, leadership, design thinking, critical evaluations, life lessons and creative problem solving, which can be achieved only through extra-curricular activities. These activities, in addition to giving a break from the academic routine, provide the students with a platform to learn skills by application. They give a pragmatic approach to the theoretical learning in classes, which would otherwise be rendered useless if the students have no idea as to where all knowledge must be applied.

Such activities aren’t only meant to compliment academics, but also provide alternate career choices for students to pursue their passion and hobbies and make a successful career out of it. Starting at an early age gives ample time to polish the skills and improve them to perfection. Giving freedom to the students to find their best mix of academics and extracurriculars would be the best way to optimise their utilities and making the most out of it.

Want to know when is the right time to send your children to school?

Are summer camps great for children?

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Summer vacation is a time for kids to kick back and relax. It involves sleeping until noon and watching a lot of television. But, this dream often becomes boring just after a week. The learning trajectories of the students start to slide down. To prevent this, parents choose summer camps for their kids to help them stay active and engaged. As a kid, if you have ever attended a summer camp, then you are already familiar with the positive impact a good summer camp can have on your child’s life. The times spent at the camp are always cherished and they stay very close to our hearts. However, if you are unfamiliar with the concept or want to know more, just scroll down.

Advantages of a Summer Camp 

    1.    Physically Active

If you don’t want your child to gain a lot of pounds this summer, send them to a summer camp. The activities will keep them engaged and physically active. The camps have many physical activities that keep the children fit. With so many technological options to spend their summer at home watching a screen like TV, computer, mobile phone, etc., it will be hard to make them move and play outside. Camp can be a wonderful opportunity to get them involved in a physical activity like running, jumping, swimming, etc.

2.    Trying new things

Summer camp can be a great way to learn about new things. Camps help the kids get out of their comfort zones and try new activities. Kids come across experiences that they are not familiar with. They get the opportunity to try out new things and find a new passion or just a hobby. Camps have activities like designing, public speaking, and theatre. These skills need time and hard work to develop. Summer camps provide an opportunity for kids to do this. This gives them a greater chance to find something that they love and are good at.

3.    A break from Technology

Today, kids are surrounded by technology. With so much technology and information at your fingertips, it is easy to drift away from the reality. Summer camp is a great way to get them away from their cell phones and laptops and interact with people without an interface. This will help them rediscover their creative abilities and have real interaction with real people.

4.    Sense of Independence

Your kid is alone and independent at the summer camp. All the children make their own decisions. This gives them a sense of independence. Without parents and teachers guiding them, kids use their reasoning and emotional capabilities to make decisions. They also learn that whether good or bad, they have to live with the decision that they make.

5.    Social skills development

Camps have children from different backgrounds. This acts as a platform for the children to learn to communicate with other people. They also learn to be a leader and work as a team. Summer camps help the children develop teamwork capabilities and the participation desire. Sharing the attention and resources help them become a better person.

6.    Holistic Development

Camp removes all the academic, social and athletic competition that children have to go through in schools. The environment created at the camp is well suited for the kids. It helps them develop self-esteem and self-confidence. With more focus on the recreational activities than academic enhancement activities, summer camp lessen the pressure and stress that kids go through these days.

7.    Fun

The bottom line is that summer camps are fun. If you don’t believe in all the other advantages of personality development, send your kids because they will have fun. Camps are designed in a way to give the kids a break from that excruciating education system at work. This fun break will rejuvenate them and will fill them with a whole new energy.

8.    Close to Nature

Camps are located in places that are close to nature. This will help your kid have a taste of nature and its beauty. In the modern indoor life, kids don’t get a chance to know what nature has to offer. But, with summer camps, kids will develop a new perception of the world.

9.    New Friends

Summer camp is a place to find new friends. The friendship formed in the camps often stay for long. With no pressure, kids are able to relax and make new friends. All the fun brings them together and the hard work strengthens their bond.

How to choose the right Summer Camp 

Now, you already know the various benefits of a summer camp. However, it is incredibly important to choose the right one for your child. There are several different types of summer camps available. They are; Residential, Co-Ed, Single Sex, day camp, etc. Before you finalize one, it is severely necessary for you to do your homework. First, think about your child’s likes and dislikes. For example, if your kid is artistically inclined and enjoys a creative atmosphere, then an art camp is the suitable option. However, if you want your child to experience diversity, then a camp that offers sports, arts, music, etc. is the correct one for you. Also, it is exceptionally necessary to do a background check to make sure it is safe and good.

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IB vs. IGCSE has been a constant framework. Both are great curricular system with a different approach to the education. Here is a comparison so that parents and students can make the best choice:

1.    IB or International Baccalaureate is a non-profit educational institution that was founded in 1968. Its programs are for children aged 3-19. It does not have any formal examinations. Instead, it issues certificates to students who fulfil their standards. IGCSE or the International General Certificate of Secondary Education is taken under the Cambridge International Examinations (CIE). It has been offering international qualifications in over 160 countries. It is the international equivalents of the GCSE qualification of the British. It prepares students for further levels like A/AS level, BTEC Level 3, Cambridge Pre-U, IB Diploma Program and other certifications.  Its certification is based on individual subjects.

2.    The Programs offered by IB are:

•    Primary Year Program (PYP) for 3-12 years old

•    Middle Year Program (MYP) for 11-16 years old

•    IB Diploma for 16-19 years old

•    Career-related for 16-19 years old

The Programs offered by the CIE are:

•    Primary for 5-11 years old

•    Secondary for 11-14 years old

•    Secondary 2 for 14-16 years old

3.    IGCSE is often considered to be similar to the MYP of IB. The difference is that IGCSE is a made of curriculum statements while IB MYP is a framework.

4.    IB is not a curriculum, but an education framework. The IGCSE is for a specific subject for a specific country. IB guide students through their Diploma programs for their graduation. Students get mastery in certain subjects. IGCSE, on the other hand, involves preparation for an examination for a prescriptive course.

5.    IB is not a prescriptive curriculum. It can be moulded according to the administrator. The teachers control the needs of the students and the culture of the school. IGCSE gives a straightforward path on where to go for the tertiary education. Also, in IGCSE, certificates are externally graded. So, they have more accountability. The bodies responsible for assessments are Edexcel (London Examinations) and CIE.

6.    In IB teachers have to design a curriculum and come up with the best method to deliver the lessons. It is good for teachers who want their curriculum to be designed in a specific manner. In IGCSE, teachers don’t have to create curriculum or resources for the students.

7.    In India, there are about 132 schools offering IB curriculum and 310 schools following the curriculum of the Cambridge Advanced.

8.    IB offers knowledge and experience in subjects selected by the students. They have to choose one subject from 6 different groups. This offers a lot of flexibility. There are some compulsory subjects like Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay, and Creativity Action Service. The IGCSE has over 70 subjects to choose from.

9.    Both the boards emphasize on skill development, application of the knowledge and understanding of the subject rather than the students’ ability to memorize all the concepts and learning and recall it during an examination.

10.    IB, as well as IGCSE, is a tough and demanding curriculum. They grade the students on the basis of all year assessments. Internal assessments keep the students on their feet a whole year. These assessments test the problem solving and oral skills of the students. They emphasize more on the development of the knowledge base.

11.    IB doesn’t have any fixed textbooks. It provides flexibility to the students by providing recommended readings. IGCSE, on the other hand, provides recommended as well as prescribed readings.

12.    IB helps in the development of language, logical reasoning and analytical skills of the students giving them an edge in exams like SAT and GRE. It helps the students build a profile. A lot of emphases is given to extra-curricular activities. So, go for this board if you are looking for global skill-development and an innovative method of learning. CIE has an international reputation. Students from this board have a good footing when it comes to international universities. However, they are not competing for curriculum. IGCSE is given at class 10 level and IB is given at class 12 level. So, you can get both.

For more information, you can check their official websites:

IB – http://ibo.org/

CIE – http://cie.org.uk

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Are you in a dilemma over the schooling of your child?

When it comes to choosing the right school for your kid, it is a challenge. Every parent tries their best to get the best school without any compromise. However, they find themselves in a quandary when it comes to choosing which board to enrol their children and what is the difference between CBSE and ICSE. The board of education makes a huge difference in providing the necessary exposure, and grooming the kids for their future.

The two most popular boards of education in the Indian Education System are CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) and ICSE (Indian Certificate of Secondary Education). So, which one is better? It is important to analyze the two before making the decision.

Overview

Both CBSE and ICSE, have their unique qualities with regard to their syllabus, curriculum, functionality, etc. When it comes to CBSE, it is the more preferred syllabus out of the two as it follows a national curriculum. Central schools, such as Kendriya Vidyalaya, are also following a CBSE curriculum. Hence, this makes it easier for the government employees with transferable jobs. This syllabus is highly structured, easy to foretell, and disciplined. The national entrance exams also take place according to their syllabus.

ICSE is handled by entirely another board of education- CISCE (Council for the Indian School of Certificate Examination). This is a spin-off of the IGCSE board, which existed during the British regime. Later, it was taken over by the Anglo-Indian Board and it is now governed by the CISCE board. ICSE has implemented several structures from NCERT. Currently, at grade 10 and grade 12, ICSE presents the toughest board examination due to its exceedingly detailed curriculum.

In CBSE, both English and Hindi can be opted as the main medium of instruction, whereas, in ICSE, English is the only medium of Instruction. Several schools all across the country are affiliated to the CBSE syllabus because it allows both CBSE candidates and students from other non-affiliated schools to appear in their exams. However, in ICSE, only students from the same board can appear for the exams.

CBSE is easier when compared to ICSE. In ICSE, the syllabus is more detailed, and the number of subjects is also more. The CBSE syllabus is more focused on science and maths, whereas, in ICSE, they have a more balanced approach and they equally give importance to language, and arts.

Assessment and evaluation are also different in both the syllabus. ICSE gives importance to lab work and projects. The English taught in ICSE is very sophisticated and it is easier for ICSE students to opt for a career in English Literature and Language.

Both the boards are evolving when it comes to their teaching methodology. They are focusing more on active learning and have undergone a noticeable change in the past 10 years. Most parents feel CBSE needs to improve a lot more when compared to ICSE. This is because ICSE offers a detailed pattern with more subjects and when it comes to English, ICSE offers the best. Both the boards are accepted by colleges and universities. However, ICSE offers extensive combinations which include; environmental science, computer science, and even interior designing.

Advantages of ICSE

• It offers a balanced structure which is very important in a child’s development.
• The syllabus is highly structured, and it provides practical knowledge as well.
• The combinations offered in ICSE are unique and they provide more subjects.
• Students can opt for their choice of combination.
• The English taught in ICSE is very sophisticated and better than CBSE.
• In ICSE, even the practical exams and projects are given equal importance because they believe that it helps in the grooming of a child.
• ICSE is more suitable for students who would like to make their career in management, journalism or English Literature.
• CISCE is also recognized by several foreign education systems. Therefore, if you are planning to send your kid abroad for their higher studies, ICSE is the best option.
• It is also easier for ICSE students to perform well in scholarship programs as ICSE provides a detailed approach.

Advantages of CBSE

• CBSE is very popular all across India.
• If you are someone with a transferable job, then CBSE in your best option because they follow the same syllabus all around the country.
• CBSE has both English and Hindi as the medium of instruction.
• Students wanting to opt for Engineering or Medical must go for CBSE as they give more importance to science and Mathematics.
• CBSE is more suitable for competitive exams such as IIT-JEE, AIEEE, etc.

Conclusion

Both syllabi have their own essence and an exclusive set of advantages. The quality of education offered by both the boards is excellent and exceptional. Both boards believe in providing an interactive learning experience and emphasize on a good education. Therefore, you must choose which syllabus suits you the best.

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