Neev Literature Festival

Reading books is the best habit for all kids from any age. It’s an activity that gives you immense pleasure with great knowledge, if you have read a book you can remember it for life as it stays in your memory. Reading not only gives you knowledge, but it has many benefits attached to it. … Continue reading “Neev Literature Festival”

Reading books is the best habit for all kids from any age. It’s an activity that gives you immense pleasure with great knowledge, if you have read a book you can remember it for life as it stays in your memory.

Reading not only gives you knowledge, but it has many benefits attached to it. Nowadays technology has a really bad effect and now book reading is replaced by phones and tabs.

I would like to share some benefits of reading books and how Neev Literature Festival is celebrating the love of reading and introducing it to children.

Children enjoying book reading at Neev literature Festival

 

Benefits of reading

  • Gives you knowledge

The most important benefit of reading is it gives you knowledge, the more you read different books of different subjects, the more you gain knowledge of the particular subject with all details.

  • Improves memory.

Improves memory, when you read a book it stays in your memory and you can recall all the pictures and incidents of the story.

 

  • Exercise for brain-

It’s an exercise for your brain and hence it keeps you brain healthy and active.

 

  • Stress Booster-

Is a mental stress booster, it helps in releasing stress, you can read your favorite books when you are stressed and it helps you relax.

  • Improves Vocabulary-

Helps in improving vocabulary, the more you read you come to know new words and phrases.

  • Improves Writing Skills-

It improves writing skills, when you read different books from different authors you are learning new ways of writing. It helps you write in a better way.

  • Helps in Sharing-

Reading helps in sharing your thoughts. When you read more you can explain more and in a better way, what you feel about any particular subject.

  • Better Sleep-

It’s a nice sleep activity, it helps you sleep better.

  • Cost Effective-

Low cost and easy to carry, books are not so costly and easy to carry with you. You don’t need active internet connection or costly devices for reading books.

The most important benefit is reading has a lot more benefits, from gaining knowledge to health.

I am glad to attend this Literature Festival organized by Neev Academy. Would like to share more about the event with you all, so that you can pin it for next year and make sure to attend this Festival.

Neev Academy Bangalore

Finally when I entered the campus, it was such a delightful experience and most noteworthy is to see the enthusiasm of all the kids attending the fest. The campus was full of colours and books, with the beautiful art exhibition.

Beautiful Art exhibition at Neev Literature Festival

The most interesting of all activities, that I enjoyed with my daughter was Book talk – reading session by Paro Anand. She was the keynote speaker at the Fest, her fearless and honest writings are inspired by her close association with kids and adults. Her stories have empowering effects on kids.

Book Reading by Mrs Paro Anand.

Her unique way of storytelling with songs and actions was making it a fun-filled learning. All the kids and parents enjoyed the reading and interactive session.

Book Reading by Shabnam Minwalla

Another interesting book reading session by Shabnam Minwalla reminded me the days of my childhood, when our Mom and Granny read us stories and we all sit around her hours lost in them.

Conversation between Children, Authors and adults .

This year they launched “Neev Children Book Awards” at Neev Literature Festival to recognize the outstanding writing in children’s literature. A wonderful series of conversation between children, authors and adults. The goal behind it was to recognize great children’s literature of all ages, growing readers for life and making reading part of every home.

These awards aim to promote and encourage high quality children’s literature from all over India.

The awards have three categories,

  • Picture book.
  • Young reader’s book.
  • Young adults book.

Awards nomination were open to all children’s titles, published in India or written by authors of Indian origin.

Big library at Neev Literature Festival

Beside that we had a chance to visit the big library from Neev Academy for all kids and parents. Where they can choose and read the books of their choice and interest.

Children and parents selecting books from library.

 

Neev literature Festival happens every year, if you have missed this year don’t forget to mark your dates for next year and celebrate your love for reading with them.

 

 

 

Abdominal muscles separation after pregnancy

Pregnancy is a beautiful period of nine months where a life is growing inside your body. During this whole process of nine months, your body goes through several changes. Harmonal changes, food craving, mood swings, nausea, back pain, hair growth, skin color changes and one of the main changes of all is Abdomen separation. This … Continue reading “Abdominal muscles separation after pregnancy”

Pregnancy is a beautiful period of nine months where a life is growing inside your body. During this whole process of nine months, your body goes through several changes.

Harmonal changes, food craving, mood swings, nausea, back pain, hair growth, skin color changes and one of the main changes of all is Abdomen separation.

This is a natural process where your abdomen muscles expands and make space, for giving space to the growing uterus and let your baby grow in the uterus. This abdomen separation is also known as DIASTASIS RECTI, normally abdomen muscles get it back to normal position after baby is delivered.

But in some case gap remains and can be seen as a bulge in front.I really wished to know this information before my pregnancy, so that I might have taken proper measures to avoid chances of getting Diastasis Recti.

But came to know about this when I started exercise and yoga after few months of delivery. So I felt like sharing this with all my friends who are planning/going to be new moms and one who have their little ones too.

What is Diastasis Recti?

Abdomen muscles separation during pregnancy is technically known as Diastasis Recti, during pregnancy as baby grows in uterus it puts pressure on abdomen muscles.

Due to pregnancy hormones connective tissues are relax and soft, so the abdomen muscles separates without and damage or tearing and allow space for the growing uterus. Abdomen separation of muscles starts from third month of pregnancy and at times after delivery too, when the abdomen walls is weak and baby is also not there to support the abdomen muscles.

Symptoms of Diastasis Recti after pregnancy

  • You can experience lower back pain.
  • Pelvic pain.
  • Unable to control urine leakage during sneezing or coughing.
  • Protruding pregnancy like belly after pregnancy.

Factors that can cause abdomen separation more

  • Being overweight before or during pregnancy.
  • Poor postures while siting, standing, walking, carrying weight and even while sleeping during and after pregnancy.
  • Pregnancy with multiple twins.
  • Getting pregnant soon after first baby.
  • Not doing proper exercise.

How to know you have Diastasis Recti?

  • You can contact your doctor if you have any of the above symptoms.
  • If you want to check at home then click here .
  • Lie down on the floor folding your knees at 45 degree and back and feet relaxed on floor. Now you have to check from ribs to pubic bones. Now stuck your chin to your chest and try placing your finger from rib bones to pubic bones. Step by step, you can feel gap of one,two or three and more fingers. It would feel soft at that place, if you cannot feel the gap, relax and try again after some time.
  • If the gap is less it can be cured with some regular home exercise, if the gap is more you need to check doctor for proper way to cure.

Can it be cured?

  • Yes it can be taken care with proper exercise routine as suggested by doctor.
  • Maintaining good posture before and after pregnancy.
  • Trying to maintain normal weight and taking healthy diet.
  • If you have Diastasis Recti from first pregnancy, try to recover with doctor help before planning next baby.
  • Sharing some exercise, I am following Click here.

I hope this information would be really helpful for all moms and can help getting your body back in shape.

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When to start reading to your baby?

When you become a mom, you have so many questions for your baby and one of the big questions is when should we start reading for your baby? Reading books to your little one is a good habit and it should be started as early as possible, if you remember everyone saying us during pregnancy … Continue reading “When to start reading to your baby?”

When you become a mom, you have so many questions for your baby and one of the big questions is when should we start reading for your baby?

Reading books to your little one is a good habit and it should be started as early as possible, if you remember everyone saying us during pregnancy we should start reading good books and listening nice music and shlokas. This was because your baby starts listening you from the womb.

Sharing few tips for reading to your child as per her age:

0-3 months your baby is small, not able to sit. You can hold your baby and read and talk to her, sing her rhymes.

3-6 months babies start looking at objects and can see & understand different shapes as well as pictures. They tend to touch different surfaces in order to explore and so you can use nice picture books with varying textures.

6-12 months babies start sitting alone and love to explore more. They will try to hold the book and most probably try to eat it too. Try getting colorful hardbound books with small words and pictures during this time.

1-2 year baby is now big enough to hold books and choose his/her favorite book from their mini library. They can now flip papers of her book and ask you to read. They would love to ask questions to you from the book and start recognizing the books’ pictures with objects and living beings around them and often would let you know what they saw in the book.

You can always try doing small activities with them, asking to bring the items shown in picture from objects around them. Match fruits and vegetables, animals and toys & so on.

3+ babies can ask you to tell a story that is there in the books and ask you many questions related to the story. You can start with numbers and letters recognizing and counting objects in the books. You can start with good habits books and books related to the school and family/ friends, as they would love to hear about the activities happening around them and enjoy creating their own stories.


How reading helps your baby

Reading books helps your baby recognize sounds and rhythm.

Reading is a fun activity that creates a bond with the baby and comforts him/her..

You can make a schedule for reading books at night or during the day.

Reading regularly to babies helps in improving language skills and they show interest in reading when they start preschool.

Reading with actions and singing attract them and they learn to show and let you know, how they feel, what they see and so on. It helps babies communicate better.

What kind of books to choose?

For babies you can choose cloth books and touch & feel books.

For toddler’s you can try books with different sounds and fold-outs, when they can see different surprises as they open the folds or press the object.

Toddlers start learning from their surrounding and show interest in the objects around them, so you can get them body parts books, fruits-vegetables books, animal story books.

Preschool kids love listening to rhymes and doing small activities while reading books. So you can get books of small stories with pictures.

Kids later start showing their interest in long stories and learning numbers and the alphabet so you can get story books and learning books.

I have a toddler and she loves reading books, and while I was searching for new books, I found about Neev academy and their Literature festival.

Neev academy is organizing a literature festival, which is happening in Bangalore on 28th and 29th of September. It is a children’s literature festival with the intention to celebrate books and the love of reading. The second day is open to all parents, students or anyone who loves to read.

Distinguished authors and speakers are coming in for various reading, writing, storytelling workshops and panel discussions. It would be great to be part of this festival and learn more from the authors and speakers.



I have one more good news for all of you, they are organizing Neev Book Awards 2018 for distinguished children’s literature.

They aim to recognize outstanding writing that leads to a fuller understanding of India, Indian lives and Indian stories. The nominated entries can be viewed at http://neevliteraturefestival.org/awards.

The best part is that it’s completely free. One can view the program  schedule on their website: http://neevliteraturefestival.org/

So, what are you waiting for? It’s a great way to introduce your child to the world of books and enjoy learning with fun.

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How weekend breaks helps!!

There are a number of ways taking a quick weekend away can benefit your health. Taking leisure time can led to experiencing more positive frame of mind, stress-free attitude, less depression and more satisfaction.

WHEN WE HAVE EACH OTHER WE HAVE EVERYTHING!!

Weekend is the best way to give a pause to your busy life and enjoy your special moments with family..

Mommy and baby enjoying beautiful morning

Sometimes you just want to relax and spend some time with family. Never let your work life affect your family life…so take a break every weekend or at least once in a month and have a long ride?

Lovely tea gardens in Munnar

How weekend getaway helps you!

It helps you both physically and mentally improving your productivity at work and happy relationship…?

Morning track in a national park and then relaxing in a stream of fresh water
Benefits of weekend gateways
  • Benefits start even before you visit any place or do anything i.e. even with a thought of getaway or holiday boosts your happiness. This is my personal experience as well as results of scientific study.
  • Screen free time as when you are out for holidays, we enjoy the place and company and most of the time no network really helps?.
  • Daddy and baby enjoying the view
  • When you are free from your cellphone and laptop your brain and eyes are also stress free and they are also on relax mode.
  • Out of home means no kitchen, no cooking ? so you have more couple time, family time and you enjoy food together.
Baby’s first beach vacation
  • You can have more of outdoor activities with kids as most of the time we are busy with home and office work.
  • When you are on holidays you do more of physical activity and it’s more of your body exercise ?.
Fun time with Kid & beautiful Colosseum at back
  • You get free from all tension and get solution to most of your problems as after holidays you are all positive and stress free and you can concentrate proper in your work life.

Tips to plans a nice weekend gateway
  • Selecting a place according to your mood, whether you want a relaxing holiday or full of adventure or if not outstation then as per your interest.
  • Depends on ones interest – they can plan to watch a play ( I am talking about live performance ) or visit an exhibition or a movie or if possible go and watch your favourite team’s match.
  • Or just to relax one can pamper themselves with some nice Spa session and beauty session.
Relaxed Morning on beach
  • If planning outstation then one of the most important part after deciding where to go is selecting the best accommodation.
  • Always keep in mind the location should be near to all  places you want to visit. Otherwise you would end up most of the time in traveling from hotel to places.
  • If you are traveling with kids/toddlers having a room with kitchen works best, as you can anytime access kitchen for kids.
Dadu dadi with granddaughter having good time at archaeological site
  • If you don’t want to spend too much money on lodging then definitely go for home stays through airbnb or any other website.
  • Recently we have a wonderful stay at Silver Brook Estate, Coorg and Ivorycoast’e, Kannur. These are both home stay’s and  have kitchen facilities with helpers, you’ll feel home away from home at such places ( Would share proper detail of places soon ).
Kids enjoying the sun and having some fun
  • Keeping the luggage light, yes I know with a baby you have lot and lot of stuff to carry but try keeping only the essentials for the trip. Less luggage means less stress before, on and after a holiday as less things to pack – unpack, less things to take care of this means more free time in hand and relaxed mind.
Family selfie
  • Always carry good sunscreen lotion and mosquito repellent for you and kids (for some really good & natural baby products click here). I have been using Mamaearth natural mosquito repellent and Mamaearth baby sunscreen.
  • Planning to visit all places before traveling, saves your time and helps you finding the best location as per the places you have planned to visit.
  • If you have infant or toddler then baby carriers are must have. kids are so relaxed and comfortable in carriers that they allow you to enjoy the place and you also have your hands free to do other stuff like taking some amazing pics.
Daddy enjoying beautiful sea and baby sleeping comfortably in her carrier
Check my other post on baby carriers – Strength and Bonding
  • If possible try visiting some new places and avoid going to crowded places, in our recent trip we explored some really nice places that was not listed as tourist attraction but was worth visiting.
  • Always carry some snacks while traveling and keep having something every few hours. It gives you energy to enjoy more on your trip.
There is nothing wrong in a lazy beach vacation but physical activity helps oneself unwind more effectively then lounging does. Hope these tips helps you plan some more gateways and revive yourself having family bonding time. I am taking my Alexa rank to next level with Blogchatter #MyFriendAlexa
All Pic are from our trips.

Importance of hearing screening by Cochlear

#MyFriendAlexa Hearing screening yes this is as important as any vaccination provided to your newborn baby. We are not so aware about this as it is not a compulsory test in Indian hospitals. But I am happy to see now private hospitals are taking initiative in new-born screening. This test is now included in compulsory test … Continue reading “Importance of hearing screening by Cochlear”

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Hearing screening yes this is as important as any vaccination provided to your newborn baby. We are not so aware about this as it is not a compulsory test in Indian hospitals. But I am happy to see now private hospitals are taking initiative in new-born screening. This test is now included in compulsory test for newborns.

We had this test for our baby girl at Apollo Cradle, in starting few days. I was really tensed when the doctor said they are not getting response so they need to do test again. After one month, thankfully she started responding soon and we were happy as no such test happened again.

But as I was unaware of these test and all details, I decided to learn more about this and share with all new moms. Let’s discuss more about hearing screening and related details.

What is newborn hearing screening?

New born hearing screening focus on identifying hearing loss at early stage. As we all know knowing the problem at early stage is better so that we can get proper solution as soon as possible.  Hearing screening can be done as early as starting few days and if any hearing loss is detected further test can be done. We can get confirmation for the level of hearing loss and can start the treatment and early intervention as soon as possible.

Sharing a small video to know how hearing works in my next blog.

Early Intervention refers to therapy and other services provided to babies and family that may help with hearing loss and learning important communication skills.

Now the question is what is hearing loss?

A person who is not able to hear as well as someone with normal hearing is said to have hearing loss. It can vary in severity. A peep with mild hearing loss may find it difficult to understand conversations in noisy places such as restaurant. Someone with moderate hearing loss has difficulty understanding regular conversation unless voices are raised. Others who have severe hearing loss are unable to hear even very loud sounds close to there ears.

What causes hearing loss among newborns?

  • Family history
  • Infection suffered by the mother during pregnancy
  • Premature birth
  • Lack of oxygen at the time of birth
  • Severe jaundice soon after birth.

How is newborn hearing screening done?

We need to do it as soon as possible,as early the hearing loss is discovered, treatment can begin and baby can get back to normal language and development.

There are two types of screening test that may be used for newborns.

  • Automated Auditory Brainstem Response (AABR) – This test measures how the hearing nerves respond to the sounds. Some tones and clicks are played through soft earphones into baby’s ears and three electrodes are placed on baby’s head measures the hearing nerves response.

  • Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) – This test measures sound waves produced in the inner ear. A tiny probe is placed just inside the baby’s ear canal. It measures the response when the clicks or tones are played into baby ears.

What is the next step if the baby not pass the hearing test?

It is possible at time baby not pass the hearing screening at birth as in my case too. But that does not necessarily mean that baby had hearing loss. In fact most of the babies do not pass the hearing test and have normal hearing afterwards, their can be many reason like baby might get fluids inside ear at the time of delivery.

So to be sure, we need to take proper further testing and hearing evaluation with a medical evaluation. Make sure these test are done before baby is three months old, so that if their is any hear loss, treatment can be started as soon as possible and baby can meet all round development at time.

What to be done, when hearing loss is confirmed?

Now when you get confirmation with hearing loss,it is important to know the type and level of hearing loss the baby has. You need to consult good and experienced Audiologist, Otolaryngologist (ear/nose/and throat doctor) and pediatrician. As some babies with hearing loss and have some effects on vision also,so proper test is important.

Audiologist will help you with special hearing test and therapy needed and if the hearing loss is permanent, hearing aid and therapy might be recommended for your baby.

Mom’s with Brett Lee – Global Hearing Ambassador of Cochlear’s

I was really happy to attend this informative session by Cochlear India knowing the importance of new born hearing screening. As most of us are unaware of the fact that out of 1000 babies 1 to 3 are born with some degree of hearing loss. So as earlier we can detect the problem we can start treatment with early intervention.

Brett Lee having some fun time with kid

It feel so good to see Brett Lee Cochlear first Global hearing ambassador . He has been spearheading ‘Sound of cricket’ campaign to raise awareness about the various impacts hearing loss can have on individual life and family. He is actively participating and spreading awareness and giving his personal time and attention, going and attending all government hospitals and meeting all patients.

Covering full details for Cochlear implant in my next blog.?

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Benefits of sitting on floor and eating with hand

#MyFriendAlexa Nowadayswe have culture of sitting on dining table and eating with fork and spoon, same we are following with our children. But have we ever thought why our traditional way of eating was actually sitting on floor and eating with hands! Our elders also used to sit on floor and eat with hands. So … Continue reading “Benefits of sitting on floor and eating with hand”

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Nowadayswe have culture of sitting on dining table and eating with fork and spoon, same we are following with our children. But have we ever thought why our traditional way of eating was actually sitting on floor and eating with hands! Our elders also used to sit on floor and eat with hands.

So today I was listening to Dr. Rhutuja and can’t agree more, every word she said was true and just want to share the same with you all.

Nowadays we  have nice and costly high chairs for our kids, and from starting we let them sit on high chairs with food and most of the time they are on chairs or sofas. Slowly this becomes their habit and they will not sit down on floor. Let’s discuss how this changing lifestyle affects our kids heath in long-term.

Benefits of sitting down and eating:

1. Yoga posture (Sukhasana)

Our traditional way of sitting on floor while having food and if you have noticed while doing yoga also we sit on floor, so it’s a two-way benefits as you are doing yoga also while eating (sukhasana).

2. Easy Digestion

While sitting on floor and eating we tend to move forward and bend to eat and by this way we helps our abdomen muscles in secreting digestive juices which helps in easy digestion of food.

3. Strengthen Lumbar region

Sitting down and eating helps kids maintaining good body posture, opening their hip-joint and giving more flexibility to their pelvis and legs and strengthen their lumbar region of the body.

4. Family bonding

It’s not only kids will sit and eat, as a family you all have to sit down together and eat. This will help in some family bonding time also.

5. Improves Blood circulation

It helps in improving blood circulation by relaxing the nerves and calms your body, that helps in easy digestion too. As when you sit on chair your blood circulation is directed towards feet and while sitting in crossed legs position heart receive proper blood circulation.

6. Eating with hands

While sitting down we should also teach them eating with hands then with spoon/forks. Traditionally we eat with our all fingers as per ayurveda our five fingers are the extension of five natural elements ( will discuss it in my next blog ). While eating with five fingers it energies the food and helps to keep all pranas balanced.

7. Flexible

When your kids body is easy and flexible while sitting on floor, sitting on chair is not be hard. But if you let your kid only sit on chair every time it will be hard for them to get flexible and sit comfortably on floor.

For encouraging kids we need to step forward and set an example for them, they love to do what we do so why not share some good habits that we had from our elders.