Dear Parents –Your Kids are watching you   “Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them.” This statement is very true and to elaborate further on this concept in good parenting , Dr. Chitti Vishnu Priya (Parent Educationist) talks about how Kids Learn different things just by watching and imitating their Parents. She stresses on the fact that it’s very important to keep a pleasant atmosphere in the house, which in turn gets reflected in how the child behaves outside.  

పిల్లలకు అసలైన బహుమతి ‘ఆత్మవిశ్వాసం’   పిల్లల్ని ఆనందపరచడానికి రకరకాల బహుమతులు ఇస్తుంటాం. వారికి ఇష్టమైనవి, అవసరమైనవి వెతికిమరీ కొని తెస్తాం. అయితే ఇవన్నీ అప్పటికి మాత్రమే ఆనందాన్నిచ్చేవి. అలాకాక పిల్లలకి ఎప్పటికీ ఉపయోగపడే అతి అమూల్యమైన, విలువైన బహుమతి ఒకటి వుందట. అది కేవలం తల్లిదండ్రులు మాత్రమే ఇవ్వగలిగింది. అదీ, అతి చిన్నవయసు నుంచి తప్పకుండా ఇవ్వాల్సిందిట. ఆ అమూల్యమైన బహుమతి పేరే ‘కాన్ఫిడెన్స్’. ఎందుకంటే, తనమీద తనకి నమ్మకం కలిగిన ఈనాటి పిల్లలు రేపు పెరిగి పెద్దయ్యి అదే నమ్మకంతో జీవితంలో తాము కోరుకున్న విజయాలని సొంతం చేసుకుంటారు అంటున్నారు మిచిగాన్ యూనివర్సిటీ పరిశోధకులు. ‘పిల్లలు - వారిలో ఆత్మవిశ్వాసం’ అన్న విషయంపై అధ్యయనం చేపట్టిన వీరు... 200 మంది తల్లిదండ్రులని, పిల్లలని ప్రశ్నించారు. వారి జీవనశైలిని అధ్యయనం చేశారు. తల్లిదండ్రులకు వారు సూచనలు, సలహాలు ఇచ్చారు. తల్లిదండ్రులు తమ పిల్లల్ని కంటికి రెప్పలా చూసుకోవాలని అనుకుంటారు. దాంతో అతి గారాబంగానే కాదు, ఎంతో జాగ్రత్తగా చూసుకుంటారు. వాళ్ళని అరచేతుల్లో పెట్టి కాచుకుంటారు. పిల్లలు పెరిగి పెద్దవారవుతున్నకొద్దీ ఆ పట్టు బిగుస్తుందే కాని విడిపోదు. ఆ ప్రయత్నంలో కొన్నిసార్లు పిల్లలు ఎక్కడ చేజారిపోతారనే భయంతో ఎక్కువ కట్టడి కూడా చేస్తారు. తమ మాట విననప్పుడు విమర్శిస్తారు. ఇదంతా పిల్లల్ని పెంచడంలో భాగమే. వారి మంచికోరే తల్లిదండ్రులు చేసే పనులే. అయితే ఇదే మంచిది కాదు అంటున్నారు. నిపుణులు. ఎక్కడ పిల్లలు తప్పటడుగు వేస్తారోననే భయంతో వాళ్ళని అతిగా కట్టడి చేయడం, లేదా వాళ్ళ ప్రతి అడుగులో చేయందించడం మంచిది కాదంటున్నారు నిపుణులు. పిల్లలకి తల్లిదండ్రులు తప్పకుండా ఇవ్వాల్సిన అమూల్యమైన బహుమతి ‘ఆత్మవిశ్వాసం’. ఈ బహుమతి ఇవ్వాలంటే తల్లిదండ్రులు మొట్టమొదటగా చేయవలసింది ఏంటో తెలుసా? పిల్లల చేతివేలుని వదిలేసి వారంతట వారు నడిచేలా చేయడం. ఆ ప్రయత్నంలో పిల్లలు పడతారు, లేస్తారు. ఆ క్రమంలోనే సరైన నడక రీతిని తెలుసుకుంటారు. చిన్నప్పుడు పిల్లలు నడక నేర్చుకునేటప్పుడు తల్లిదండ్రులు చేసే ఈ పనినే జీవితానికి అన్వయించుకోమంటున్నారు నిపుణులు. పిల్లలని స్వంతగా ఆలోచించనివ్వాలి. స్వంతగా వారి పనులు వారు చేసుకునేలా ప్రోత్సహించాలి. దానితోపాటు ఏ పనైనా స్వంతగా చేయడానికి ప్రయత్నించనివ్వాలి. వీటన్నిటిలో పిల్లలు మొదటిసారే సక్రమంగా చేయలేరు. అయినా వదిలేయాలి. ఆ పొరపాట్ల నుంచే పిల్లలు నేర్చుకుంటారు... ఎదుగుతారు అని నిపుణులు చెబుతున్నారు. తల్లిదండ్రులుగా పిల్లల మంచిచెడ్డలు అన్నిటిని దగ్గరుండి చూసుకోవాలన్న తాపత్రయం వారిని ఎదగనివ్వకుండా చేస్తోందేమో ఒక్కసారి చూసుకోండి అంటున్నారు నిపుణులు. కష్టంగా అనిపించినా నిజమదే. ప్రతి క్షణం పిల్లలు ప్రతి విషయానికీ తల్లిదండ్రుల మీద ఆధారపడటం వారికి ముచ్చటగా అనిపించినా, పిల్లలకి స్వంత వ్యక్తిత్వం అన్నది లేకుండా చేస్తుంది కాబట్టి ఏ వయసు పిల్లలైనా వారి ఆలోచనలకి, వారి ప్రయత్నాలకి అవకాశం ఇవ్వాలిట. మూడేళ్ళ పిల్లాడు కూడా అమ్మ ఏది వద్దందో అది చేయడానికే ప్రయత్నిస్తాడు. ఆ సమయంలో ‘‘నే చెప్పాను కదా వద్దు’’ అని ఖచ్చితంగా చెప్పడం కన్నా ‘‘ఎందుకు’’ అన్న ప్రశ్నకి సమాధానం చెప్పడం మంచిదని అంటున్నారు వీరు. ఆ ‘‘ఎందుకు’’ అన్న ప్రశ్న తల్లిదండ్రులని ఛాలెంజ్ చేస్తున్నట్టు, వారిని ఎదిరిస్తున్నట్టు అనుకుంటారు చాలామంది. కానీ ఆ ప్రశ్న వారిలో ధైర్యానికి, ఆత్మవిశ్వాసానికి, తెలుసుకోవాలన్న ఆసక్తికి ఉదాహరణగా తీసుకోవాలిట. చిన్నప్పుడు పడ్డ పునాదిపైన పిల్లల వ్యక్తిత్వం రూపు దిద్దుకుంటుంది. కాబట్టి చిన్నప్పటి నుంచి వాళ్ళని పట్టు విడుపులతో పెంచితే వారిలో ఏదైనా ప్రయత్నించడానికి వెనకాడని ధైర్యం కలుగుతుంది. అలాగే ఏ పనైనా చేయడానికి ప్రయత్నిస్తే అందులోని సులువుని తెలుసుకోవచ్చన్న విషయం అర్థమవుతుంది. పిల్లలు చేసే పొరపాట్లు వారి ఎదుగుదలలో ఓ తప్పనిసరి ప్రాసెస్. వాటినుంచి వాళ్ళెన్నో నేర్చుకుంటారు. పెద్దలుగా వారు ప్రమాదపుటంచులకు వెళ్ళకుండా చూడటం మాత్రమే తల్లిదండ్రుల పని. వారి తప్పులను ఎంచొద్దు. ఆ తప్పులను ఎత్తి చూపించొద్దు. నీవల్ల కాదంటూ అన్నిట్లో వారికి సాయపడొద్దు. పిల్లల ఎదుగుదల క్రమమంతా ఓ చక్కటి ఆట. పిల్లలు ఒకోసారి గెలుస్తారు. మరోసారి ఓడిపోతారు. ఆ ఓటమిలోంచే మళ్ళీ ఎలా గెలవాలో వాళ్ళే నేర్చుకుంటారు. తల్లిదండ్రులుగా ఆ ఆటని చూస్తూ ఆనందించడమే మనం వాళ్లకిచ్చే అమూల్యమైన బహుమతి. -రమ ఇరగవరపు

How to Control Hyperactive Children   Amma Kosam - Hyperactivity in Children: Watch Dr Chitti Vishnu Priya (Parent Educationist) give Tips for  mothers' to handle Hyperactive Children. What can be termed as being active more than usual, this behavior in a child can be a mother’s nightmare. Handling such hyperactive energetic children requires patience and a few tips which she shares with us. These simple but effective tips can help you calm your hyperactive children and help them learn self control and balance both the active mind and body.

Benefits of Engaging Children in Active Play Amma Kosam || Pillalu Aatalu (Children's Active Play) :Watch  Dr Chitti VishnuPriya (Parent Educationist) talk about how a mother can engage her children in active play .She speaks about the benefits of Active Play , how regular active play helps Babies and Children to develop a lifelong habit of daily exercise and life skills. Children are born to play and through active play they can grow to be ahealthy and happy children. She gives tips about how a mother should engage the child from the  toddler stage to 10 years and explains how this helps in their physically, mentally and emotional growth.

Newborn Baby Care Tips Newborn Baby Care Tips :Watch Dr Srinivas share tips as to how a mother should take care of a new born child. Taking care of a newborn child can be quite overwhelming for any new mom and this video will dispel your fears and doubts as to what you should do.From how to cover the baby, to how to bathe a baby, diaper wear and how to feed the baby, he explains everything related to baby care. A must watch for Newbie moms and dads.    

  Practice Aadi Mudra during Pregnancy         Joy Of Pregnancy || Aadi Mudra || By Jessy Naidu: Watch Parenting Trainer Jessy Naidu Speak about the benefits of Aadi  Mudra when practiced during Pregnancy.Do this slowly whenever you feel heavy in the head or stressed out during pregnancy period. This Pranayama technique improves the Pranic energy around your head, nose, and ears and leaves you feeling de-stressed and relaxed.  

Practicing Poorna Mudra in Pregnancy     Joy Of Pregnancy || Poorna Mudra || Watch Jessy Naidu,Parenting Trainer explain the benefits of doing the Poorna Mudra.She gives tips as to how a pregnant lady should do Pranayama and balance herself by eating the right portions and practice Pranayama.  

Walking and Yoga during Pregnancy   Joy Of Pregnancy || Walking and Yoga During Pregnancy Watch Jessy Naidu , Parenting Trainer talk about the benefits of walking and yoga during pregnancy. She gives tips as to what to do when you get tired during walking and for how long you can walk and practice yoga. She emphasizes the need for a pre-natal coach to train you when you are pregnant and not to exercise on your own.

Discussion about Positive Parenting   Discussion about Positive Parenting: Watch our Parenting expert Dr Chitti Vishnupriya talk about how each child is individual and has his/her own potential. She gives useful tips as to how parents should handle siblings with distinct abilities and how to handle the rivalry that happens between them. She delves on the importance of joint activities for both of them which nurtures their talent and also fosters a healthy bonding between them.

Diet Plan during Pregnancy     Watch Dr Brindavani- Nutritionist talk about the right food and nutrition for Young women who have conceived. She explains in detail about the Diet plan  & what is the right amount of carbs, proteins, calcium  should one eat & in what combination should they be taken by  a pregnant lady for  a healthy pregnancy. She also emphasizes the need for losing weight after child birth where the weight should be in accordance with one’s height.  

Effective Parenting tips Watch our Child and Parent  Expert Dr Chitti Vishnu Priya talk about how a mother should take care of her baby. She talks how to help hyperactive kids stay grounded and  also gives tips to engage them in constructive activities.

Sukha Pranayama during Pregnancy   Watch our Parenting Trainer Jessie Naidu talk about the benefits of Sukha Pranayama a breathing exercises in Yoga which is very powerful and beneficial for a person, especially pregnant women. This can be done every day after the regular breathing exercise. During the last trimester of pregnancy, when the Blood Pressure levels are slightly high this breathing exercise will help lower the levels and benefit the mother and child.  

How to Handle Sibling Rivalry   Watch our expert Dr Chitti Vishnu Priya talk about Positive Approach to Parenting. In this video she speaks about how to handle issues and difficulties when it comes to handling two siblings at home. A must watch, especially if you have two girls at home where she gives wonderful tips to take care of sibling rivalry, at the same time pacify both of them  and develop a healthy bond between them.

Tips for a healthy Pregnancy & Baby    Jessy Naidu talks about Physical and mental health while pregnant. She speaks about the importance of being positive and maintaining a healthy and happy life during pregnancy. Check out this informative video which gives wonderful tips to handle yourself when pregnant which is a divine feeling.

Enzymes and Digestion in Children   Eating right and healthy is definitely important but its not a independent activity...only if that healthy food is digested right, will that food be utilized better by the body and help in a healthy life. Poor digestion is another reason people often need nutritional supplements as the body is not extracting all nutrients from the food one eats. Poor Digestion in children is one main and frequent topic discussed between Parents and Doctors.  One reason for poor digestion is a lack of enzymes in the diet. Enzymes are essential to the digestion, assimilation, and absorption of food, and there are several steps parents can take to help ensure your child has enough enzymes for normal digestion:   Avoid highly processed foods that are void of enzymes, deep fried foods are among them.  Consume more fruits and raw or slightly steamed vegetables that are loaded with enzymes.  Make sure the child chews the food properly, allowing salivary enzymes to help break down the food.  Don't encourage the habit of watching TV while eating any meal, the mind doesnot register that activity as healthy eating.  Don't cook food at high temperatures, like deep frying, it destroys the enzymes in the food. Don't allow the child to consume excessive amounts of fluids like water, juice, milk with meals, which washes out the enzymes

Child's weight worries   Days of strange food habits have already arrived, Most parents are worried about their Child's weight. Most of the Children are following the wrong eating habits, either they are eating too much junk food or eating very less.  Here are few questions every worried parent should ask the Pediatrician: What is the healthy weight as per my child's height? The Doctor will measure and compare the height and weight and also be able to tell you the child's BMI (Body mass index).  Is the child's current weight putting him or her at risk of any illnesses? Does my child need to go on diet, atall?Some children who are obese need to start the diet program at a young age.  How much exercise does my child need per day?  How should i talk about this problem to my child without hurting his or her feelings?  This is a very sensitive matter to discuss with a child, especially. Instead of saying "you are over-weight", "The Doctor said you need to eat less" and embarrasing the child, you can say "As a family, we need to make better eating choices for our health" and even the parents should start a healthy diet program so that the child doesnot feel strange or wrongly treated by offering not-so-tasty food. If the child has siblings, let them not make fun of this child.   

Whats in the Baby Bag?   People in the Western countries use Diapers mostly, so this Baby bag is famously called Diaper Bag. But Diapers are not so well-known in India even now, there is lot of opposition to using Diapers in this era too. Thats actually a good habit but Moms have to worry alot if the baby is not wearing a diaper. She is already tired with not much sleep and too much multitasking. Using good quality diapers for the baby once in a while, when going out, during sleep is not a problem maker.  New Moms are tensed when it comes to going out with the baby. There could be an urgent situation any moment, the baby might be hungry, he or she might cry alot, wet the dress badly, drool too much or spit on Mommy's dress. Here are some tips to help Mom pack her baby bag well.    Buy a bag thats water proof, with ample space and sufficient inner pockets to store lots of stuff.  Let there be pockets in the front and rear to store the urgent things like a pacifier if you use one for the baby, currency coins, cell phone, a handkerchief, a lipbalm etc.   Let the bag always carry 3-4 diapers, diaper rash cream pouch, 3-4 undergarments of the baby, and small pouch full of wet wipes, a small water bottle, an empty sterile milk bottle, an insulation bag for the bottle, a jar of formulae or packets of it, dry nibbles like rusks or biscuits for the baby if he or  she started to eat food, 2 pairs of dresses, 2 bibs, a few ear buds, one baby fever medication bottle, one medicine dispenser/syringe, one thermometer, one vaccuum nostril clearing pump, 2 cotton napkins, 2 pairs of  baby socks, a small hair comb and if its a girl, hair clips if your baby has good hair. One small cotton blanket will be so much useful, you will thank yourself for carrying it in the bag.    Now, instead of carrying 2 separate bags, Mom can buy a good looking bag as 2-in-1 purpose, Stash all your stuff too  in the bag but in separate compartments to remember easily. When the baby cries, your brain will not function smartly..so organize all the items well to sort easily. If you are nursing, always keep 2 breast pads handy, you never know if there are any leakages suddenly. Carry along a feeding cover it will be useful sometimes.    With this kind of preparation, you will survive the initial 6-7 months of babies birth and later you will be a pro and will need no help or suggestions.               

Children and Exercise Obesity or Malnutrition have become two common types of problems even with Children these days. Healthy eating is not enough to conquer obesity. Kids can get exercise from playing outdoors and being physically active (riding cycles and playing about). They get added exercise when they take Physical Education classes at school or join a basketball or football team or a dance class. Parents should not cultivate this thought in children that attending extra curricular activities spoils grades in studies.   TV, Videogames, Computers, Laptops and Tablets are encouraging the couch-potato syndrome in children. They stick to these gadgets and get entertained but infact, they are loosing their health at a very early stage in life. Even the little ones, aged 9 months-1 year+ are watching video games and cartoons on these gadgets. This clearly shows that parents are simply giving in, and are encouraging these activities. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that infants or young children should not be inactive for prolonged periods of time (no more than 1 hour during their awake-time), and school-age children should not be inactive for more than 2 hours at a time.  Again, parents lead the way with own examples. The children see their parents stick to these gadgets and tend to follow the same. If the same parent follows some good health activities, the child learns the same. Problem is, peer pressure has increased alot, every family is comparing their child's ability to use these gadgets as smartness and techno-pro IQ with another child. Even if not  necessary at a young age, parents are introducing tablets to infants too just to cope with this competition, which is healthy according to them. However, there are some new video games like Wii that are family friendly and bring in the physical activity games indoors for the whole family. some activities develop self-defense mechanisms in a child like Karate, Kung-fu...enrolling a child there is also a better option which serves as 2-in-1.  Below is the age-appropriate minimum daily requirement of physical activity to stay fit.  Infant: No specific minimum requirement as their body is not fully ready even for any movement, and at later months, they are busy enough and at a maximum limit.  Toddler: One and half hours daily-- 30 minutes planned physical activity and 60 minutes unstructured physical activity (free play). Preschooler: 2 hours daily--60 minutes planned activity and 60 minutes free play. Prefer to enroll child in schools that offer planned physical activity (PE) training or free play sessions.  School age: 1 hour or more daily-- break up into bouts of 15 minutes or more of any physical activity. Prefer to enroll child in schools that offer planned physical activity (PE) training or free play sessions.