Ten Worst Cereals for Kids-Well, we knew that!

Most parents know that there are many kids' breakfast cereals that are marketed as being good for the brain and overall physical development but do not keep their promise.
Cereals marketed to kids have 85% more sugar, 65% less fiber and 60% more sodium than those aimed at adults, according to the report from Yale University's Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity. "The worst cereals are being marketed very heavily to children," says Kelly Brownell, director of the Rudd Center. He presents the analysis today in Washington at the annual meeting of the Obesity Society.

Cereals with the poorest nutrition ratings that are advertised to kids: (USA Today article--http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-10-25-kids-cereals_N.htm?csp=34 )
1. Reese's Puffs
2. Corn Pops
3. Lucky Charms
4. Cinnamon Toast Crunch
5. Cap'n Crunch (tied) with Trix
6. Froot Loops (tied) with Fruity
9. Cocoa Pebbles (tied) with Cocoa Puffs
10. Cookie Crisp

One of the first things you can do to avoid a situation where your kids ask for these cereals is to educate them about reading the nutrition labels. Explain the negative consequences about consuming some of the ingredients on the list. Once they are educated, they will almost always not ask for those cereals again! Look for low sugar, high fibre, zero colors and preservatives, zero hydrogenated oils and lots of whole grains on the cereal box ingredient list. There are a lot of breakfast ideas on the internet that are healthy, wholesome and will not take too much time to make. Good old oatmeal takes only a few minutes!

Safe Cleaning products and Quality Air

In my earlier posts, I have noted how we all go overboard with cleaning our homes to make them germ free. In our quest to kill germs and viruses, we use products that are high in harmful chemicals. These chemicals release fumes into the air that are dangerous to our children and our families. Poor ventillation of air due to closed windows in our homes only make the problem worse. We also harm our planet by flushing toxic chemicals into our water system.
Simple cleaning products that can do a wonderful job include baking soda, vinegar and water. That is usually all you need...
Please check the link below from Environmental Working Group. They are a non-profit organization that does a wonderful job researching different products. They have published test results for products ranging from children's products to beauty products to sunscreens to household cleaning products. Let us get educated about the options so we can all make sound decisions for our families.
http://www.ewg.org/schoolcleaningsupplies/safecleaningtips

Improving your child's immune system

Building our immune system is the only way to guard against the harmful effects of the flu in case your child does get the flu.
I offer my children the following supplements to help improve their immune system:
Sambucus Elderberry syrup
Nordic Naturals Cod Liver oil
Hero Nutritionals Multi-vitamins gummies
Probiotics
If you see signs of a fever, start your child on Boiron Oscillococcinum. This is a homeopathic medication that helps reduce the duration of the flu.

Avoid fast foods, sugary drinks, foods with artificial colors and preservatives, foods with meats that are treated with hormones and antibiotics. Give your child an opportunity for some physical activity everyday so they get stronger immune systems and build a good appetite as well. Train your child to cover their mouth when they cough and always wash their hands before they eat.

Good luck to all of you!

Ignorance about History and Current Events!!

On a lighter note, I watched this video from Jay Leno's "Jaywalking" piece.
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/08/04/Hilarious-Proof-of-How-Bad-U.S.-Educational-System-Really-Is.aspx
This is where Jay Leno asks people on the street general knowledge questions. You will be amazed at some of the answers he has received. Some of them are college graduates. One question was "What countries border the United States?" The answer given was Australia and Hawaii!!
Another one was "What does D.C stand for? The answer given was "D capital"!

Teaching children about world history, geography is so very important. Enrichment is fairly lacking in schools. Some amount is provided to children who qualify as gifted. However, I believe that all children should be enriched with knowledge and hopefully not be tested on it!!

Museum of Natural History makes teaching Evolution and Fossils easier

The Smithsonian museums are a gift for learners.   This weekend we went for the nth time to the Museum of Natural History.  There is so much to learn and cover every time you go there.  So, this time we focussed on the animals from the Celozoic era.   Fossils allow you to go back to another era and visualize that animal among different flora and fauna of that time.  The similarities between animals from another era and the present does not cease to fascinate us!   I read somewhere that there is nothing as dead as a fossil.  But scientists and many of us are intrigued by a Trilobyte fossil that is 480 million years old!  Next visit we will focus on another era and we will get ready to be WOWed again!!

Trip to Busch Gardens and a lesson on Physics!

We had a wonderful time at Busch Gardens past weekend. My kids enjoy the rides and as they are now a little older want to try out the roller coasters. Great teaching moment to talk to kids about the laws of physics. What makes the roller coasters move so fast? How do they gain so much energy? Talk about momentum and why roller coasters move in loops. How do cable cars move? Of course refrain from giving a long lecture on the laws of physics but show them simple examples and kids will grasp the information right away.

4th of July is more than fireworks and barbeques!

Most children do not know that the fourth of July is America's independence day. They remember it as a day to watch fireworks, attend parades and barbeques. We as parents and teachers need to emphasize the importance of this day. Make this a great opportunity to learn about the Declaration of Independence, learn the national anthem, talk about the nation's founders and how America won the war against Britain. If you are close to a museum like the Smithsonian or close to Williamsburg/Yorktown in Virginia, do take your children there. You will surprised how much knowledge we as parents can also gain from these trips.

Learning about History and Civics starts early!

History and Civics are very important subjects and deserve to be studied as early as possible. Many argue the need to study history and give it less importance than science and math. I think history teaches us about leadership, trials and triumphs, failures and successes, cultures and customs, of people all over the world. History lessons can be applied to the present and future. Reading about Harriet Tubman's perseverance to save as many slaves as possible, about Gandhi's non-violence movement, about Queen Hatshepsut's reign as a "king" of Egypt, about Mother Teresa's relentless efforts to help the poor, about Pele's rise to becoming a great soccer player, about Abraham Lincoln's love for reading, allows a child to use history as a guiding tool in his own life. I am able to teach my children and students strong values using history.

History can be taught in a story-like manner. Children love to listen if the story is exciting. When I first talked to my kids about the Boston Tea Party, they cleverly compared this to an earlier history lesson I had with them--Gandhiji and his famous march to Dandi in order to make salt. I was able to talk about several topics while we had discussed the Dandi March. We talked about civil disobedience, the meaning of taxes, the meaning of a democracy and the power of the people, about great leaders and so on.
I remember learning about the Boston Tea Party much later in school. By then, learning unfortunately was only to get good grades on the test!

School's out for the summer!!!

This is my best time of the year!! This is a great time to bond, learn new skills, enjoy sports and spend lots of quality time together. I have my own venture which allows me flexibility that I can use to plan my day with my kids. Our activities are simple-like tucking ourselves in bed with a good book, catching up on practicing music and dance, watching a good movie, swim practice, tennis etc. Always set a goal for the summer and make one that is reachable! Goals do not have to be an expensive either. A weekend trip to the beach or a day trip to the water park or to the local museums can be a lot of fun. Try to make every moment count while you do these trips. I only wish summer vacations were longer :)

Encourage your child to read the newspaper daily

I wish I had done this sooner!! My kids are eager learners and want to know what is happening around the world. I encourage them to read a newspaper article with me everyday. The newspaper has different sections and you should choose an article that is age appropriate before you ask them to read it.
The business section is also an excellent place to learn about economics and business. I choose the local times or the Wall Street Journal. Good quality newspapers have rich vocabulary and can be used as a wonderful teaching tool. Yes! I do believe the sky is the limit in teaching young kids and so go ahead and teach them. As a treat, you can always share a cartoon or a Sudoku game if your kids like that.

Cleaner Home, Healthier Minds

We all want our homes to be squeaky clean and germ free for our family. We are bombarded daily with ads marketing products that are targeted to kill every possible bacteria and germ in our homes. These cleaning products are loaded with chemicals and fragrances and are a complete overkill for cleaning our homes. In addition with our homes being insulated with closed windows and doors, we do not have free ventilation of fresh air.
I would suggest using simple and proven ingredients to make your own cleaning products. Vinegar and water makes for an excellent cleaner. I use it to clean floors, counters, and glass windows. If you want to add more power to this mixture, add some baking soda. I mix baking soda and vinegar to clean my the kitchen and bathroom sinks. Olive Oil and lemon juice used together makes an effective wood polish. These products are not just safer for our family and the environment, but also so much cheaper!!
Our children need to breathe cleaner air not just outside our homes but inside our homes as well.

It is a privilege to teach

I am so honored to teach young bright minds. All children love to learn and absorb facts and knowledge if they are presented in an interactive and loving manner. When I teach my students, I also learn from them. A child's mind is growing rapidly during the early years and the more I can teach them, the more I can help build their brain. Brain development experts have always said that a brain grows with use.
ThinkSmart Kids truly believes that the beginning of a genius starts at birth. For us the sky is the limit as to what we can teach a young child. A child can enter kindergarten with an immense knowledge base of facts and information about multiple subjects, languages coupled with experience with a musical instrument and playing a sport. We continue with this vision as we work with kids every day.

Parents need to play a larger role than peers

I am reading a book titled "Hold on to your kids, why parents need to matter more than peers" by Gordon Neufeld. The author has made some very good points on how we as parents need to take our roles as nurturers and mentors rather than have our children replace us with their peers. This is a great book for all parents and parents to be.

Why do competitions/contests work?

If your child shares a passion for an academic subject, sport or music, I recommend entering them in contests or bees or music festivals. The opportunity to participate and to put them in the company of other kids who share the same passion makes your kid appreciate what they are doing a lot more. For example, if your child enjoys Chess, find a local chapter where your child can practice and learn with other kids. If your child loves Geography or Math or Spelling, try to find a club or association that conducts these bees for younger kids.
It also instills a sense of competition and a spirit of sportsmanship while still teaching them to advance their skills. If they win, they feel proud of their achievement and want to do more. Even if they lose, treat this as a wonderful teaching moment where you can talk to them about trying harder, to never ever give up and to think positive. These are life's lessons and so teach them sooner than later.

How can I buy Organic and still save money?

I wish I knew earlier about the benefits of organic food. We prefer to be vegetarians. Only three years ago did I learn about which set of vegetables and fruits are high in pesticide content. Surprisingly, some of our favorites are on the top of the list. For instance, apples, strawberries, cucumbers, spinach, celery are high up on the list. So, in order to keep my grocery bill within our budget, I ensure that I follow the recommendations. Also, I do save money by not buying a lot of pre-packaged foods which carry a lot of preservatives, artificial colors and flavors.

I make sure that the following items on my grocery list are organic.
Dairy products--eggs, milk, cheese
Fruits- Strawberries, apples, peaches
Vegetables-Spinach, cucumbers, carrots

Please check this link for more information about what foods are higher in pesticide content...http://www.foodnews.org/fulllist.php. Also, check out your local farmers markets. Buying locally grown produce helps the environment. Talk to your local farmers about their farming practices to learn more about how they take care of their crops and land.

Have fun shopping!!

How to use Episodic memory to retain more facts!

Right from when my kids were very little and could hold a crayon, they have loved to doodle and progressed quickly to drawing. My daughter is an artist and has received awards for Art. I explain a lot of difficult concepts with ease if I can draw it, enact it or teach them in a place like a museum with props and pictures. My kids prefer it that way! So, last month when we were talking about "The Greenhouse Effect" and the role it plays in global warming, I used pictures and drawings to explain it. My kids learned about Carbon DiOxide when they were 3 years old when I explained Photo Synthesis to them. It may be hard to believe but young kids can learn anything! Later we learned about chemistry and how molecules are formed. So, when we discussed the Greenhouse effect, they were able to understand it very quickly.

Similarly when we talk about the eclipse, we not only draw but enact it as well. My daughter acted like she was the planet Earth and my son was the Moon and I was the Sun. We positioned ourselves like in an Eclipse.

What we are doing here is using our the Episodic Memory which is part of our Long Term Memory to help retain facts for a longer period of time. Episodic Memory is location and event driven and therefore, when we use props, locations, actors (ourselves) and/or experiences to teach new facts to children, children will retain these facts for a longer time.

Nutrition is KEY to brain development

I started paying more attention to nutrition labels only when my kids were around 18 months old. I wish I had been more educated about it earlier! Food companies market products that are targeted towards kids and most of these products are low on nutritive content and higher on the bad stuff. A child's brain thrives on good nutrition, water, and lots of fresh air.
Once my kids started to read very well, I taught them about the ingredients they need to be aware of. Now it is easier for me to shop with them in the grocery store. Both my kids are aware that cereal boxes with Spiderman or Dora does not mean that the cereal is good for you! They know to read the ingredients and if they see the words "High fructose corn syrup" or Partially hydrogenated oils" or "Artificial flavor" or "Artificial Colors" or "Enriched Flour", they place the products back on the shelf! Organic produce is my first choice. However, even organic products such as smoothies can contain upto 38 grams of sugar. So, please read the labels.
You can teach your child early on about what is good for them and what is not. It is also important that you be a good role model for your kids. When they see you exercise, cook and eat healthy food, they will want to mimic you. So, go ahead and teach your kids about the benefits of choosing healthy foods. But remember, it is OK to eat junk food once in a while:)

Why ThinkSmart?

I have always wanted to create a place where children, irrespective of their economic condition, can access a place where they can learn to read and do math. If children can read, their life can change. They will make better life decisions, will strive to achieve something in life, will be able to support themselves and make their life much better. So, now my life goal is to implement a "Champions for World Literacy" program where we can raise funds for implementing the ThinkSmart program in economically depressed places around the world.

ThinkSmart is program for children between ages 12 months to 6 years old. In this program, they are exposed to multiple subjects along with physical exercises and parent coaching. Every parent wants the best for their child and wants their child to excel in school, go to college and become a success in life.

What inspired me to enter the education field?

My education degrees are in Business and MIS. I worked as a management consultant for 13 years before I decided to take a break and stay home with my young children. I got interested in teaching as a result of teaching my children. Early learning experts like Dr.Maria Montessori, Dr. Shichida, Dr. Doman have inspired me to create my own curriculum for my children. I started teaching my children with a concrete curriculum when they were only 10 months old. They absolutely loved the materials I had made for them. The benefits of such an early program brought about so many benefits. The obvious benefits were they started reading early on, communicated with rich vocabulary at a very early age. The best benefit is that they loved to learn!! My children are now 6 years old and are in the gifted program in their school. They have scored highly on IQ tests. I love teaching them new material and I can talk to them about current affairs from global warming to economic conditions and they can grasp what I say with ease. We have long discussions on many issues and I love their point of view. Many times, I think I am learning so much from them than the reverse. Children are geniuses and I truly believe in that.

My children totally amaze me!!

My children teach me new lessons everyday! They teach me to be patient, to forgive and forget, to believe in myself and to enjoy the small stuff that we as grown-ups take for granted. My children are God's blessings to make my life a more happy and complete life.