Get To Know Your Child Better

Emotional stress in children often manifests itself in various forms. Some children become sickly when they are stressed out. Studies show that many children who are emotionally stressed suffer from fever and flu more frequently than those children who are not under a lot of stress. If your child is sick most of the time, you should try to delve into the root cause of the problem instead of merely treating the symptoms. Talk to your child and get to know him or her better. If you can afford it, take your child on a vacation to break the stressful routine that she or he is in. According to experts, taking your child on a short vacation is a good form of emotional stress relief both for parents and children.

While other children become sickly when they are stressed out, some children manifest their symptoms in other ways. Some children become unruly and attention deficient when they are emotionally stressed out. When your otherwise mild tempered little girl or boy starts to raise a lot of noise and ruckus in the house, you should pay attention to her or him. According to experts, when not addressed properly, emotional stress in children can lead to trauma that may affect the mental and emotional stability of children. To protect your child from possible traumatic experiences, listen to what your child is not saying. Learn to recognize his or her body languages and respond to his or her silent pleas for help.

Get Help From Professionals

Emotional stress in children can be quite devastating to young parents. If you feel that you are unable to cope with emotional stress in your children, you should seek professional help. Find a therapist who can help you and your children deal with emotional stress.

You have just to watch a baby feeding or crying to confirm these facts, In fact it can be said that the baby sometimes seems to cry just for the exercise the act involves. If therefore the baby seems to be crying naturally without any real cause of discomfort, you should not be in a hurry to stop its crying.

Every tendency and activity of a child is natural and instinctive and rather than trying to stop such activity without thinking, it would be advisable to direct or modify such activity after careful consideration.

Our knowledge of the general principles and other information regarding the methods and manner of bringing up a child cannot be applied indiscriminately and uniformly to all children. For instance, a child that is normal in its health and in other ways may not cry, or may do so very infreque

ntly. In such a case if the mother tries by various means to make it cry in the belief that ‘crying strengthens the lungs’ she would in fact be harming the child.

In babies case, play and exercise cannot really be distinguished. Play exercises a variety of muscles, and the baby may enjoy exercising its muscles. In point of fact every kind of activity in playing involves movement of the muscles of the arms, lags and other parts of the body. Hence for a child even a play is actually a form of exercise.

As the child grows and develops, there is a gradual accumulation of energy in the body of the child. When the energy accumulates in abundance it demands an outlet and the child naturally turns to play. As the child-psychologists believe play is the catharsis of the surplus energies of the child.

In child’s growth judicious blend of sleep, play and exercise makes as great a contributions proper nutrition arid other facts may do. It was not for nothing that shakespeare said: “Sleep is the chief nourisher for the life’s feast.” Lack of sleep, play or exercise can ruin all the ideal dietary effects on the child’s body no matter what you feed him. These four vital factors: proper food, adequate sleep, exercise and play make a lot of difference in the children’s health as their body is more receptive and rather untrained.

While paying attention to these vital factors the natural query that springs is as to how to determine what is needed for the growing child. That brings in focus the various stages of development.

It is only when you impart the right values to your child about school, about teachers and about himself, that learning will start taking place. Every child can learn and wants to learn. Teach your child strategies for doing his work, be it studies or otherwise.

From a very young age, create an environment that stimulates learning by encouraging children to ask questions about their environment and their world. Parents who talk a lot to their children lay the foundations for a wide vocabulary, communication skills and intelligence.

Making mistakes is an integral part of the learning process. Children learn much more when they try, and fail. Some children have no problem admitting they’ve made a mistake, and can analyze the reasons for their failure: ‘I didn’t work hard enough’; or, ‘My answers were too short’.

Intellectual apathy is a fast growing malaise in our society. Motivation in learning decreases rapidly if children have no curiosity or desire to know more. This is paradoxical, because, given our present computer technology, in no other age has learning been so fast, rapid and efficient. Yet, our children seem to lack the tools for learning. They also lack a love of learning for learning’s sake.

Research evidence shows a strong relationship between the self-concept a student has and his academic achievement. When we believe in them, have realistic expectations from them and help them to set appropriate goals, their self, concept improves tremendously. They feel positive about themselves and learning automatically follows.

Schools are minefields of knowledge. Parents can help their children positively in acquiring as much knowledge as they can. Students can be classified into three categories – high, achievers, averages and below average. Most of the parents want their children to be in the first two categories.

High, achievers are characterized by self, confidence, self, acceptance and a positive self, concept. Successful students have a relatively high opinion of themselves and are optimistic about their future performance. On the other hand, under, achievers are found to perceive themselves as less able to fulfill the required tasks, less eager to learn, less confident and less ambitious. Under- achievers generally see themselves as less adequate and less accepted by others.

My experience with students shows beyond doubt that once they have acquired an idea about themselves, it has a lasting influence on their future performance. Students who experience repeated success in school are likely to develop positive feelings about’ their abilities, while those who encounter failure tend to develop negative views of themselves.

Teachers all over the world have observed that children who are popular with their peers and teachers have certain common characteristics. We, as parents can spot these qualities and help our children in nurturing them. By doing so, we indirectly help them to achieve better grades in their subjects. Such children are self-confident and are good at organizing games and extra-curricular activities. They are good listeners’ and have a good sense of humor and can laugh at themselves. They are able’ to shrug off disappointments and setbacks and move on with their work.

You can help your child’s learning process by becoming supportive parents. Develop open communication with your child and find something to talk about everyday. Do not be overtly critical of him and teach him to manage his conflicts with other children.

Dr.A.Prakash

This oral phase of their emotional development is normal and lasts for a few months. Most babies stop doing it when they become toddlers.

However, some particularly shy children continue to suck their thumb. Some resort to thumb sucking when they feel insecure, for example, when going to bed or feeling frightened.

They find it soothing, as with holding tight their stuffed teddy bear or the bed sheet. A few children who had earlier given up thumb sucking resume it when faced with a new insecure situation like the birth of a sibling, going to a new kindergarten school or the arrival of unfamiliar guests in the house.

Thumb sucking by a child up to 6 years (the stage of temporary teeth) is not serious. If the habit persists after that age the alignment of permanent teeth can be affected resulting in their permanent deformity. Such deformities would need specialized and prolonged orthodontic treatment.

Thumb sucking by your child largely signifies a sense of insecurity felt by him. Be patient. You would need to persist with your efforts to slowly wean him off this habit. Do not try to punish him. Avoid scolding him or making fun of him by calling him a ‘little baby’ in front of others. Be prepared for some setbacks in his progress. Stress the positive and praise him when he stops sucking for a while. You should first aim for free intervals during the day. Thumb sucking at night or when alone may pass off over a longer period.

The baby can have his bath on the second or third day. It can be further postponed if the baby is not well. You should, however, sponge clean his face, neck, hands and the diaper area daily with moist cotton wool using clean lukewarm water. Pat dry all areas carefully. Gently wipe around each eye, from the nose side outwards. Use a separate piece of cotton for each eye. Clean around the navel each day till the cord falls off.

You should choose to give bath to your baby during the day at a time which is convenient to you and when your baby is not hungry or sleepy. Make sure that the room temperature is comfortable and that there is no draught from outside or from the air conditioner.

A plastic baby bathtub is very convenient to use. Water should be clean. In winter, it should be comfortably warm. You should check the water temperature before beginning to bathe your baby. Do not add hot water to the tub while your baby is in it, as he may get scalded. Wash your own hands well with soap and water before you begin to bathe your baby. First wash the baby’s face and head. To wash his head, gently lower it over the tub and wash it with baby shampoo (or mild soap) and water and pat it dry quickly. Next, apply soap all over the body while he is on your lap. Now immerse the lower part of his body into the water in the tub while keeping his head and shoulders clearly out of it.

Wash him well, taking particular care of the skin creases. After bathing, dry him gently and thoroughly with a soft towel with special attention to his armpits, groin and buttocks. You should avoid soaping and wetting of the navel area during the first 7-10 days till the umbilical cord falls off. Some mothers may find it easier to bathe their baby while holding him in their lap or across the legs and pouring water over him with a tumbler. It is not necessary to apply soap to baby’s skin daily as it may make his skin too dry. The soap used must be quite mild. Gentle massaging of the baby with a baby oil helps the skin to retain its normal texture and your baby will enjoy it too. Liberal use of talcum powder should be avoided as it tends to collect in the skin creases and may cause skin irritation and rash. Care should also be taken to prevent talcum powder entering the baby’s eyes and nose and avoid sprinkling over the navel area till the umbilical cord dries and falls off.

By Dr.R.Sunej

If you work or play in fields and gardens, bees, wasps, hornets, and yellow jackets buzz around loaded with nuisance, pain, and sometimes danger.

Bites and stings, for the most part, are only an annoyance and rarely cause more than slight, temporary discomfort. The reac­tions to insect stings are caused by either allergic mechanisms or sensitivity to certain chemicals, toxins, or enzymes in the venom. Occasionally, these reactions can be fatal in sensitive individuals. Insect sting allergy has been recognized since antiquity.

The honeybee and yellow jacket are responsible for most stings. Although they may similar appearances, these two insects have very different habits. The honeybee is a social insect that uses a stinger to inject venom into its victim.

A yellow jacket is a wasp that can both bite and sting. The honeybee usually does not sting unless disturbed, but when sufficiently provoked to attack, it leaves its barbed stinger and attached venom sac in the skin of its victim.

The simple, normal sting, the one you are most likely to encounter, causes varying degrees of pain at the site of the sting lasting for a few minutes. Redness, swelling, and itching of the area follow. If no complications arise, all traces of the sting will usually disappear within a few hours.

In the exaggerated type of local reaction, there is more itching and swelling. The symptoms may last longer, and there may be a great deal of discomfort.

The treatment for most insect bites and stings is the same. In the case of a bee sting, however, you must remove the barbed stinger and attached venom sac as quickly as possible, as the walls of the sac contract and continue to inject venom.

Never try to pull the stinger out or squeeze the area in which the stinger is embedded. This will break the venom sac, releasing more of the toxic or allergic substances and aggravating your symptoms. Instead, gently scrape the area with a knife blade or fingernail until the stinger and sac have been dislodged.

After you remove the stinger and venom sac, follow these steps to treat the simple insect sting:

* Wash the area with soap and water.

* Use ice packs or cold compresses for 30 to 45 minutes to reduce the inflammation and swelling.

* Apply a paste made up of one teaspoonful of unseasoned meat tenderizer and water. This often results in prompt, lasting relief.

* Treat any hives and itching by applying phenolated ca­lamine lotion every 3 or 4 hours.

* If severe swelling, itching, and pain persist, call your doctor. You may need an antihistamine or cortisone-like drug to counteract the bee venom.

* If you are stung on your foot or leg, elevate it and keep it at rest.

Insects are somewhat discriminating, so follow these steps to make yourself less of a target for bites and stings.

* Always wear shoes outside. Bare feet are the most vulnera­ble areas for insect attacks. (Bees love clover and yellow jackets live in the ground.)

* Avoid scented soaps, perfumes, colognes, hair sprays, and other scented products. These odors attract insects.

* Wear light-colored, smooth fabrics. Bright, flowery prints and dark, rough clothing attract insects as well.

* Avoid bright jewelry and other metal objects. Again, insects find these very alluring.

* If you come into contact with a stinging insect, avoid sudden and dramatic motions. Move away very slowly and do not flap, wave, or swat.     

* Avoid touching insect nests.

* Keep house screens in good repair.

* Keep garbage cans covered at all times.

* Be especially alert after rain; pollen is scarce and insects become more easily excited.

A word on Insect Repellents:

Insect repellents are not insecticides. They do not kill mosquitos, ticks, chiggers, fleas, or the many varieties of biting flies. They just discourage them from biting you. And they do not work against stinging insects like bees, wasps, or ants.

To prevent against mosquito and fly bites, use insect repellents on exposed parts of your body and on your clothing. Do not use repellents on broken skin and be particularly careful when apply­ing them on children. Pregnant women should not use them at any time. And since the active ingredient is flammable, do not apply them near fires.       .

Treating Bites & Stings

For a few, localized insect bites, where there is redness, swelling, and itching, the best immediate treatment is applying ice. An ice cube, held on the bite areas for 5 to 10 minutes, will usually give prompt relief of the pain, itching, and swelling.

Another good “home remedy” is the application of a paste made up of one teaspoonful of unseasoned meat tenderizer and a few drops of water. Applying this to the bite or sting may provide immediate relief.

Newborn babies respond well to touch, but they probably won’t enjoy a proper massage. Massaging a new baby begins with caressing and fondling. After getting to know your baby in the early days you may then wish to use a few simple massage movements.

Sit on the floor with your legs stretched out in front of you. Place a soft towel on your lap. Place baby down on his front, his head facing your tummy and turned to one side.

Put a few drops of massage oil in the palms of your hands and rub them together. Place your hands on baby’s buttocks, fingers pointing away from you. With very light pressure, draw your hands towards you, bringing them gently up baby’s back to the shoulder. Using your middle and ring fingers only return down the sides of baby’s body to the buttocks. Repeat several times.

Lift baby up and draw your knees up towards you. Nestle baby on your thighs, supporting his head with your knees. Hold one of baby’s hands to stop him wriggling around; lightly rest the fingers of your other hand on baby’s tummy. Using the flat surface of your fingers, draw clockwise circles around his tummy, being as gentle as possible.

The best time and place for massage is before or after a morning or evening bath for babies. Toddlers and young children may be most receptive to massage when winding down for sleep. Make sure the time you choose is also good for you. A child will sense if you are tense, rushed, angry or irritable, and will feel uncomfortable about being massaged. He may even come to think of massage as a chore you feel obliged to perform – this can only be counter-productive.

A duvet on the floor becomes a mini-bed with pillows or cushions, a good base for massage. Place a pillow under your child’s head and cover his body with a towel or a soft blanket.

Remove any jewellery you have on and make sure that your nails are short and dean and that your hands are warm. Maintain contact with your child’s body at all times. Use very light pressure – featherweight for newborns, becoming more and more firm as your child matures. There are no hard-and-fast rules; it is best for massage to be rhythmic and free-flowing.