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Are we looking beautiful and attractive?

Dr.Madeswaran

When I came to  Madras, I was questioning myself, '' Why most of the city people, rich people look fair? attractive ? '' 

Even in my school most of the children look fair, good looking and some thing strange from the Indian community. What made them like this? When we look into the pregnancy, the mother makes all these features. Heredity expression plays the other role.

Dr. Montessori has talked about beauty, attraction and perfection. It is very clear that all the living beings are beautiful. Nature has designed them with perfection. But as Indian mythology, epics and modern embryology say, the mother is the shaper of the child from the embryo. She is the real Goddess who makes the child beautiful, healthy  and perfect in all aspects.

The two different extremes:

When the mothers from rich back ground go through the pregnancy the stress is quiet low than the mothers in villages and in poor community. The rich mother just enjoys her pregnancy in a most comfortable environment. The husband , in-laws and other relation are there to support in a peaceful way.

But in a village situation, especially in poor community the need for food, shelter and clothing are stressing the embryo. The stress from drunken husbands, rude relatives, pain of poverty changes the fate of the  child. The child is stressed from the pregnancy stage. The mal nutrition is the most worst stress for these children.

The rich mother is focusing the child to languages, arts, good food, fashionable life, books from pregnancy. I need not explain the other part of the poor mother. But after the delivery there are lot changes in the life of a rich  and  poor children. In both cases the parents are working. A rich mother works for more materialistic status. Where as the poor mother work for the daily bread.

The rich mother leaves the child at baby care homes. Where as the poor mother takes the child to the working spot. But the poor child is exposed to many relatives like grand parents, aunts and uncles. The nature is more exposed to a poor child. But the rich child is well cared by the nurses or baby sitters. They are well pampered by the family. Relatives and friends are not often exposed to this child. The child needs to spend the days only in  A. C rooms and cars. Even the nature exposed to the child is a prepared one like a zoo, park or garden.

Based on these aspects,  the language , culture and behavior  of the children are framed for their future. The city child looses the native tradition, culture and art. Where as the poor child looses the exposure to modern life, changes in the society and education. 

Today the parents and teachers in struggling to balance these 2 matters. The teachers in the city are feeling very difficult in making the children to know about various cultures, village life even though media is there to support.    The stress for a language teacher in Indian cities is very difficult to express. The Indian regional languages are different and very much complicated. Unless the children are exposed to the language it is very very hard for the child and teacher .

The threat from NRI s:

This article will help the NRI people , especially Indians who are planning to settle in India. The Indian state governments are much concerned about the regional languages. Though the central government offers foreign language programme, recently the norms are very strong that the child must do the regional state language as third language.

English is the first language. Hindhi is the second language and the regional state language is the third language till grade 8. There are various examination boards which offer regional languages as second language and Hindhi as third language. But is states like Karnataka [ South Indian state] Kannada [ regional language ] is the first language.

My school follows the ICSC board. We teach both Hindhi and Tamil [ regional language ] in equal level till grade 5. After grade 5, the child will choose either Hindhi or Tamil as second language and other as third language. The foreign children can do their languages like French, German and other languages . But they must learn either Hindhi or Tamil as third language.

If any NRI child wants to do the foreign language from where he came the formalities are very complex. There are many such NRI children who are suffering in my school to learn a new Indian language as second language. The only reason is that they are not exposed to the languages.

Most of the well educated Indians in cities and abroad are not  at all  talking in the mother tongue language. The child knew only English. The parents feel very proud about it. But the threat for the child is in the society. The child who do not know to talk in its mother tongue is neglected in the native community. That child looses the tradition and culture. Apart from this the threat is the language education. As a teacher I have been much stressed with such children who knew only English. It is funny to say that I am teaching Tamil through English.

At the same time the children from East Asian countries are suffering in learning through English because they do not have any English exposure. The same stress is there for our village children to learn English. English is always a night mare. I say all these are because of the parents view on '' ultra modern life'' . The globalization has  made the children to face this problem. Modern English  education, women employment, media are responsible for this stress upon the children. The government is also very rigid in its policy.

So we warn these parents to think about the children and the stress . There is no child who will say '' no'' to the parents for tradition and language. From birth  , the child must be exposed to the mother tongue. They need not be a poet or author, just the spoken language is enough. I advice , more vocabulary skill in names and verbs alone help these children.

Example: My friend living in USA never speak in English at home. The couple always converse either in Hindhi, Tamil or Malayalam [ their mother tongue]. Today his 6 year old boy is well versed in all these languages. The child is well prepared for a transplantation at any time. The mother is  spending time regularly in evenings to teach the languages and math based on Indian syllabus. The child is always ready to come to India .

Same time when one of my cousin brother came to India from USA, the family went into quarrels. The children do not know to talk in Tamil and the uneducated grand parents could not accept them . More than that the children could not mingle with them. Within 2 weeks they went to USA.

The children from abroad when come here are like the saplings ready for transplantation. The parents just become aware of culture, tradition and their future and just bring them here. The children are not machines. Even the TV , video or audio sets differ in their voltages and watts from country to country. Children will adapt to any condition, but basic preparation is a must. Other wise we are wasting our money, time and energy in schools. They are not gaining much.

Example: A child from Korea came to our school. He do not know English. He was much stressed and could not mingle with any of his class mates. For 1 year the the teachers were just spending time in settling him. The new culture, language and other features made him just to roam and play. The child has just settled and started his learning. How to answer for his delay in learning?

A girl came to grade 7 before 3 years from Australia. When she was interviewed she was very good in reading Tamil. She was quiet confidence in spoken language also. Soon I taught her to write. The girl stood first in Tamil exams at the end of 8th grade. Now she is in grade 10. She has blossomed as a poet  in Tamil . This is because of her parents .

Montessori schools in India must concentrate specially in languages. The importance given to EPL [ essential practical life activities ] , Math and English must be given to Indian languages. The school must be very very careful in appointing the  Montessori adults knowing  the regional language of the locality. The children need equal drilling and practice in the Indian languages.

So the beauty is not in the body or color, it is in cherishing the  school and social life. From pre primary till grade 12, the child needs to enjoy the education. For that the parents and teachers need to plan from the beginning stage .

The beauty of the child has to be designed from the embryo stage. If Montessori schools reach all the villages they can train the village mothers and poor mothers to plan their pregnancy. Both the city and village mothers need to share and balance the various aspects of the children. Sakthi foundation has researched more about this. There are proper guidance for a couple under the family way. Please refer the site www. sakthifoundation. org .

Mahathma Gandhiji has welcomed Dr. Montessori to India and requested her to expand her education into all villages. But unfortunately that has failed after some time. Now Sakthividhya is trying the best to seed Montessori education in villages. Montessori education strongly believe in educating the parents. This is to make the children more happy and comfortable with the life.

The whole Montessori environment is designed to express and enjoy the beauty and perfection of life. Each activity in the school is well planned to make children to feel for the beauty of life. The following  article will talk more about it.

Thank you!!!

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               HOW TO MAKE 6+ CHILDREN TO USE ACCEPTABLE LANGUAGE  AND  BEHAVIOR?  

                                       Dr.Madeswaran

Dear teachers and parents,

                      One day my sister was looking very sad. She said that suddenly her 6 year old son is talking rudely. She  also said that sometimes he is also talking some words which cant be used. I just kept quiet . She became very upset that I did not react.

Later the child was deeply observed by me. Yes , the boy used many words which cant be said openly. I called the boy and just had a talk. He said he was much fascinated  by his auto trip to school. He said that bigger boys show their power by fighting and using some words . Those words made the boys very angry.

The child said that he feels just happy and proud to say those words used by big boys. He feels he is also big enough to talk like that. We just cut the auto , then dropped the child in school in our bike. On the way the child asked plenty of questions about many things. Then we said that if he feels he is  great or big he needs to do some thing nice like helping his mother, sister and  being responsible for his own things..

Then we also said politely how to express his emotions without disturbing others. We need to ask a question? Why the 6+ children pick up unacceptable words? The simple answer is , '' they just want to use and show their transition in age and body''.

There are many children in my class often using  4 letter word and many other words. But my keen observation has taught me that they just want to express their emotion. From where they are learning?

1. From the peer group.

2. From the parents, relatives and neighbors.

3. From the TV, films and net.

4. Now they are very independent in reading . So many books expose them many types of words. They really do not know how to use in what sense.

5. This is the age of  challenging. Many children wants to make and express their work as a grand one. So using words from the books they read is a matter of ''self ego''. So these children often use the unacceptable words. It is the role of the teachers to observe the child. Just listen and observe their talk. If you feel that the child has to be dealt specially , call and have a friendly talk.

6. Beyond this around 8 to 9 years , the children are little aware about abusing words, their meaning, how and where to use. Often my primary children bring complaint only about the 4th and 5th graders about this issue.

7. The teachers and parents must call them and just talk. If the situation is little serious, talk firmly. If the child continues to talk, we call them and ask them to wash and brush their mouth.

8. Before that we must check our self. We must hold on our tongue. Parents must be very very careful in using their   words. Often children use the words '' shit''. I have observed their parents using in many contexts.

9. Often we give consequences in severe cases. Often the opponent child or the entire group will be very very upset with the language used against them. The following consequences will help the adults.

a. First  call the child and enquire why he \ she used the language.

b. Then make the child to keep quiet through out the session.

c.  The child need not participate in the group activities.

d.  The child must sit near you or alone and must work. We do not have the right to stop his work.

e.  The child can do some domestic activities. Often our students come to the staff room and help us in arranging our things and also in cleaning. Make the children to frame their own ground rules, unacceptable words among them self. Often talk to them about code of language. When we talk beautifully they appreciate and they follow us. Many times my children have appreciated my Tamil pronunciation and also trying their best to talk like me.

f.  Make the child to join his lunch with you., not with his friends.

g. We send proper note in his records, but not in revenging way.

h. The parents has to be observed. The child's family back ground has to be studied.

i. The most important thing is , just talk and train the child how to express  the feelings and emotions. This is the reality behind all issues.  The child should not do its most liking activity. This is the best  consequence.

Example: My friend has made a place called '' Rama corner'' in his home . If any one in the family is stressed with emotions and angry they can go and sit there. They will be given chance to express their self. I assure that  the child never talks badly.

j. Parents are insisted to exchange their stress and emotions in privacy.

k. Teachers must use good or descent words  to pinpoint any child. I never use any abusing words or even adjectives to criticize any child.

l. Dr. Montessori is very particular about addressing a child and adult. In an ideal Montessori school teachers never use any adjectives to call a child in connection to his body appearance, dress , work, poor or rich, creed and color.

m. Montessori teachers are expected to be the well refined personalities. We talk to them with respect to the age . We too condom, check their behavior and language in firm voice but not in abusing words.

n. There are many situations in which I  raise my thunderous voice but never use any abusing words.

Example: Today when the 'project day' drama  got practiced, many children who came to  see the dram were going on disturbing even after many reminders. Finally I just  raised my voice and said.,'' if you are not going to maintain silence, you will be asked to move out of the hall, then do not feel bad.''

o. There is board in one side of our class. It is covered with good looking papers and there are many slips of papers. These papers have words which help the children to use in many contexts to express their stress and emotions. It is called '' feeling tree''.

Example: We say , instead of saying , '' shut up '' ., say ,'' can you keep quiet? or can you wait ? or can you hold on your self?''.

p. Often we act and show role plays especially to teach them about '' stress and emotional release''.

Example: In my school I cant show a situation in which we have fought or abused each other. Though we have lot of contradictions we argue inside the staff room, but not before the children.

q. Preparation of going out: In many Montessori schools the students are well prepared for a tour, picnic or guest speaking . The children are always in their own world. The picnic, long trip, guest to the school should make them feel happy and normal in their routine. Any sudden change will disturb them. So we always try our bets to inform them in advance. It is not like behaving for one day, it is the change in he child's day. The child must feel comfort and also learn to adapt. There are many situations in which we cannot prepare them for the change.

Often we have enjoyed the guest lecturing because of the advanced announcement and preparation. When the 4th graders were given the responsible to organize the gift set for the guest , they have looked into other children 's settlement, voice level and other things.

The children have to be taught how to greet, welcome , ask questions to the guest--answer them and other things. The advance preparation should not be a threatening  issue. In this process the acceptable behavior will come to the children.

Example: When I was asked to  go to pre primary to teach Tamil suddenly after one term gap, the teachers in that section have prepared the 6 year old children to adapt with me. For the past 3 weeks I am going and teaching them without any obstacle . The children are co operating with me very well.

In our family also , we need to prepare our children before any important event  which involves outsiders. The children should not be '' blank in the mind'' about family situations.

I have seen many friends in who prepare their children before they visit any one. The children are also well informed about their limits and freedom. Better carry your child's books, color set, craft set during long journeys. The adults gathering must not desert the child. The child will socialize and also enjoy the stay with its own work. That work time will make the child  happy . His activities will make others to appreciate the child. The time of stay will be useful also.

Example: When my friend's wife came from America and visited her in-laws in India, her son was so comfortable with the long stay. Because he was well prepared to visit his relatives. His gestures and language were taught. He was given a space to work with his colors  and craft set. He  has  spend his time in collecting flowers  made garlands for his deities. He had his own prayers which involved all. His stay has made many to follow my friend's wife.

Same time when ever the child misused the freedom the mother checked personally. We need to deal with the child in person. But there are situations were we need to be firm before others also.

r. It is very important that both the father and mother or the teachers of the child must be staunch in implementing the ground rules. There should be  unity , harmony and understanding among the adults in handling the child.

When ever a teacher faces a problem he \ she should discuss with the partner teacher and handle the situation if there is a confusion how to handle the issue. The same advice is applicable for the parents. Both father and mother should have understanding in handling the issue. If the mother gives a consequence the  father must not dilute it and save the child unless it is hurting physically. In India most of the parents feel proud to say that the '' girl child always listens to the father and the boy to the mother''. When ever  any issues are handled the children play the trick with their love and attachment to their parents.

If any one of the partner is handling the child, the other must leave it and believe the partner. The child must listen either to father or to the mother. The grand parents are the main hurdles in the families in such situation. They try to safe guard the child out of their love. We always talk and explain the situation to them , otherwise the child 's issue will enter into a big family issue.

s. Why do children listen to a person other than their parents?

In many houses the parents react to an issue and prolong that issue for  ever. The issue will be discussed among all the family members. This makes the child to loose the confidence with them. In many  schools teachers also do the same. We should not be judgmental.

When ever the third person handles the situation , they never shout or beat. They just talk. Later they mingle with the child. The parents are expected to be the same. Even though we beat them , after some time   we must accept them and make them to come to the normal situation.

Dr. Montessori say that the child of 6+ is always energetic , challenging  and eager to move fast in  carrier. The child has to be observed and guided properly, softly and reasonably. If we become the role models they change by them self.

So it is very important for us to be just behind them and observe them. This age makes them to make their own group of friends and it takes them to a new phase of life . It is going to show them many social issues, social values like sharing, feeling for others, appreciating, leadership etc.

Mean while we are much concerned about their change in behavior , language and relation with us . This article is going to talk about their  body care .

* BODY CARE: The child feels very very free to move and play any where in and around the home and school. My children knew all most all the places in my school than me. One can see them having their lunch on the top of our motor shed. Sometimes they sit on the braches and chew their snacks along with the birds.

    The same thing happens in the home also. Often they will be out of our sight. They are in need of the vast natural environment. This makes them to compel you for the week end outing. They are in need of your presence and involvement in playing. But they need only their own judgment.

With this back ground let us see how they need to be  aware about their body:

1. Talk to them about the various functions of our body.

2. They must need to name all most all their body parts.

3. Show them how to use hands, legs for various activities. All though they have learnt in preprimary level , now they are in a re organizing state.

4. Let them do simple  exercises, yoga and jogging. They can just come with you for a long walk and jogging.

5. Let them walk a lot. Make them to walk and run  to near by shops, market and friend's home.

6. Talk about the importance of waking up in early morning. This age group children can wake up by 6 a.m.

7. Slowly introduce the water therapy.

8. Check their toilet habits. This will be leading to later sex education. The night diet is important and it influences the toilet habit.

9. Let them take their morning drink only after brushing the teeth.

10. Slowly introduce the brushing habit at nights after the dine. This habit can be introduced after talking to them about the dental care.

11. Set the clock and make them to train them self  to have time management in brushing, bathing, using the toilet.

12. Make them independent in  toilet, brushing and washing habits.

13. We advice our parents just to simply leave them when they delay for all activities initially. Let them undergo the consequences for the delay. We need not get tensed.

14. The waking up process is a beautiful activity. Just start calling their soul and wake their soul first. Slowly go to bed , sit near the child and call the name. Talk some thing about the day.

Example : 1.'' Dear , see the window screen is dancing for the wind and 2 butterflies are near our room...''

2. Some parents sing songs.

3. We can also start telling a simple story.

4. We can also talk about that day's events.

15. Let them place their bag, books, pencil case and uniform near their table and get ready by previous night itself.

16. Trim their nails, hair.

17. Girl children can use good natural mehandi [ a herbal skin color for hands].

18. They can wear simple jewels, flowers and plait their hair properly.

19. In tropical countries oil bath in a week is a must.

20. Every day applying oil to hair and body skin is also insisted.

21. We place wash basin near our entrance for any hand wash.

22. We never allow them to enter without proper leg wash after a play in the open space.

23. Talk to them about the danger of the tattoos, inks, sketch pens, highlighters and any artificial coloring agents. Often these children paint, draw and colour on their hands and legs.

24. Allow them to play  under the sun, mist, snow and rain showers. They enjoy the time in puddles, stagnant water and sand. After checking the  content of the water allow them to play. In which age they will play again?

But provide them the proper soap, towel and cleaning brush . After the play time they need to use and enter into the class or room .

Example : In my school, we have given the freedom to play like this. But they always have an extra set of dress. During monsoon, children them self bring letter from the parents if they have fever.

    Last week there was a sudden rain with severe  thunder and lightening. When children asked our permission , we just said no. Some started arguing. We just explained the danger behind the   thunder and lightening. They went into the  class rooms and started playing indoor games.

25. Every week we check their nails, hair , socks, shoes and dress. We provide and help them in removing nail polish, trim nails and wash socks and dresses. Sorry to say that there are '' well educated parents'' who have high tech washing machine ., but no time to operate it. They are  just flying across the world or traveling in their car for minting money.

26. We need to teach them how to touch others, hug with friendly touch ,hand shakes.

27. The children are in need to be aware about stranger's physical touching.

28. Using the private parts, toilets have to be taught.

29.Montessori environment is much concerned about the cleanliness of body and place where we stay. Try to expose them to a tidy beautiful set up inside your home and class. Often insist them about a neat lunch sitting with old news papers, napkins and spoons. In India we always insist to eat with clean hands.

30. Washing the body parts before food and after food is monitored .

31. The most interesting aspect is that , all these activities are organized and planned openly before the students. They discuss about these and make chart .They volunteer them self to check their friends. They are good in explaining their friends in more detail than us. It has more impact.

32. Apart from all these we have regular medical check up sessions. The parents are asked to submit any medical record about their child's special medical issues.

33. We have made them to approach us at any time for first aid. They knew where the kit will be placed. We use Homeopathy medicines for some basic health issues. The direction chart will be placed along with the medicine kit.

34. There are many situations where we are responsible and also not directly responsible  for some health issues. In such situation please shed the ego and talk openly and softly to the parents and explain the situation and first help the child to get medical treatment immediately.  We all are linked to each other. We all are living in one community. So we need to believe each other. If we are going to shout and quarrel, the child is going to be affected.

35.More body care information are expected.

Thanking you!

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THE BASIC NEEDS OF  6 TO 9 YEARS OLD CHILDREN

Dr.Madeswaran

This article will help the parents and teachers who handle children from 6 to 9 years old in the food habit.

FOOD HABITS OF 6+ YEARS:

                               In this age the children are more aware about their group of friends and teachers in school. This is the age of imitation and leadership. The child is forced to do certain things in and outside of the school just because of the  peer pressure. Otherwise the child is neglected among the class mates. So  parents and teachers must understand the child's situation and help the child to grow carefully.

It is very sad to say that TV , films and other media are just creating the habit of eating modern fast food . It is  a very wrong concept that children who eat such fast and junk food are considered to be '' modern or fashionable'' among their friends.

According to Dr. Montessori , food and health are the 2 most important factors  in a child's  development. She has classified the circulatory system as '' red man'' and nervous system as ''white man''.

Unless the blood is nourished with proper , balanced and enough food the nervous system will never do its function properly. Most of the poor children are lagging behind in academics because of lack of nutrition.

The late CM of Tamal nadu state Mr.Kamarajar has introduced the scheme of providing free healthy balanced lunch to all poor children in government schools. Because of this , today thousands of poor children have became literates in the state.

In my school we have given a list of food to our parents from the preprimary level. Every break and lunch time will be monitored by the teachers. I ma giving a list of snacks.

a. Any snack item without deep frying can be brought to school.

b. Twice in a week  they must bring any sprouts or boiled cereals or cooked sundals [cooked grams and cereals].

c. Every day a banana is a must. Other fruits as  a whole fruit, juice or salad can be brought.

d. Once in a while potato  or raw banana chips with out chat masala, aginamoto salt can be brought.

e. Modern tinned juice or drinks   are not allowed.

f. For birthdays children can bring chocolates, cakes but only one must be offered to the friends.

FOOD ITEMS

a. Any rice item with a cereal is a must.

b. During summer curd or buttermilk is a must.

c. Potatoes or any other under ground stems are allowed once in a week.

d. Greens [varieties of spinach] is a must twice in a week.

e. Peanuts, pista, badham and other nuts are also allowed but in limited amount.

f. For tiffin,  idlies  [ steam cooked rice cakes without oil ] , dosas without ghee and crispness are allowed to eat.

g. We suggest only eggs [boiled] as a non-veg to be brought to school.

h. We have suggested the parents not to give cooked rice for morning food. It makes them sleepy.

i.  They lunch time is 45 minutes. This is making them to eat slowly. They chew well and complete their lunch without tension. They to mingle with all other students and also exchange others food.

j.  After 2 hours they are allowed to play for Games session ,so that the food which got consumed will be used for proper nutritive purpose.

We distribute only Indian harmless snacks for Independence day, republic day, school annual and sports days.

Beyond all these things we as teachers follow this in our diet pattern. Often students have asked about my lunch and even some of them used to come and see my lunch set. In preprimary and primary level often we sit and eat with them. If they feel heavy to eat, we ask them to have after some time. We too need to give that time .,but not always.

There are situations where students spill their entire food or the food may get spoiled. Please provide part of your lunch and make them happy and energetic.

Lunch time is not only to eat and play. It is the time to mingle with the child. There are many social values to be taught during lunch time

THE CLASS PARTY:

  Every term end will be celebrated with class party. The  class teachers have a circle meeting with the students. They discuss about the way the party can be celebrated. The students will list list out the menu.  They are directed to invite all their teachers and helpers inside the school campus.

The class room will be decorated by the students. The teachers just be there and observe their work and suggest few changes. They are allowed to play games, play audio system and dance but there will be always a check from the adults side inside the room. We never interfere in their party but we will be aware of what is happening inside the classes.

Every child must bring some thing for the party. There are children who's parents are not interested in party. Those children will feel sad.. They are asked to bring at least paper plates or cups. They invite us and we all go to the class. They have many funny games, dances and their own compositions. They offer plates and distribute their food with love and affection. We thank them and also guide them how to wind up after the party.

Often the left out food will be given to our gardeners, punes and we show the children that nothing got wasted. We also help them in cleaning their containers.  Today we are much aware about bio degradable  items. So plastics materials are banded.

During sports day, annual day they bring lot of lemon juice. We mix and serve to all. There are children who forgets to bring and they come and ask excuse for that.

WHY FOOD IS IMPORTANT?

Most of the Montessori materials are sensitive and they have to be used with more mental concentration. So children need lot of mental energy to sit and work. The food is also reflecting the family set up.

Example: There are 2 children who bring only bread and jam to school for lunch. Because the mothers are coming late night after their business and sleep till morning 10. The child prepares its own lunch.

So let us listen to their needs and help them to eat well. Next article will talk about body care of the child.

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                     HOW TO HELP 6 + CHILDREN TO TAKE CARE OF THE BODY?   

                                                       Dr.Madeswaran

Dear teachers and parents,

                                      The child who has stepped into 6 + is no more our pampering baby. Nature has made them very independent. Now they are moving all around the home, school and outer world to gain more knowledge and abstracting their future. So it is very important for us to be just behind them and observe them. This age makes them to make their own group of friends and it takes them to a new phase of life . It is going to show them many social issues, social values like sharing, feeling for others, appreciating, leadership etc.  Mean while we are much concerned about their change in behavior , language and relation with us . This article is going to talk about their  body care .

* BODY CARE: The child feels very very free to move and play any where in and around the home and school. My children knew all most all the places in my school than me. One can see them having their lunch on the top of our motor shed. Sometimes they sit on the braches and chew their snacks along with the birds.

    The same thing happens in the home also. Often they will be out of our sight. They are in need of the vast natural environment. This makes them to compel you for the week end outing. They are in need of your presence and involvement in playing. But they need only their own judgment.

With this back ground let us see how they need to be  aware about their body:

1. Talk to them about the various functions of our body.

2. They must need to name all most all their body parts.

3. Show them how to use hands, legs for various activities. All though they have learnt in preprimary level , now they are in a re organizing state.

4. Let them do simple  exercises, yoga and jogging. They can just come with you for a long walk and jogging.

5. Let them walk a lot. Make them to walk and run  to near by shops, market and friend's home.

6. Talk about the importance of waking up in early morning. This age group children can wake up by 6 a.m.

7. Slowly introduce the water therapy.

8. Check their toilet habits. This will be leading to later sex education. The night diet is important and it influences the toilet habit.

9. Let them take their morning drink only after brushing the teeth.

10. Slowly introduce the brushing habit at nights after the dine. This habit can be introduced after talking to them about the dental care.

11. Set the clock and make them to train them self  to have time management in brushing, bathing, using the toilet.

12. Make them independent in  toilet, brushing and washing habits.

13. We advice our parents just to simply leave them when they delay for all activities initially. Let them undergo the consequences for the delay. We need not get tensed.

14. The waking up process is a beautiful activity. Just start calling their soul and wake their soul first. Slowly go to bed , sit near the child and call the name. Talk some thing about the day.

Example : 1.'' Dear , see the window screen is dancing for the wind and 2 butterflies are near our room...''

2. Some parents sing songs.

3. We can also start telling a simple story.

4. We can also talk about that day's events.

15. Let them place their bag, books, pencil case and uniform near their table and get ready by previous night itself.

16. Trim their nails, hair.

17. Girl children can use good natural mehandi [ a herbal skin color for hands].

18. They can wear simple jewels, flowers and plait their hair properly.

18. In tropical countries oil bath in a week is a must.

20. Every day applying oil to hair and body skin is also insisted.

21. We place wash basin near our entrance for any hand wash.

22. We never allow them to enter without proper leg wash after a play in the open space.

23. Talk to them about the danger of the tattoos, inks, sketch pens, highlighters and any artificial coloring agents. Often these children paint, draw and colour on their hands and legs.

24. Allow them to play  under the sun, mist, snow and rain showers. They enjoy the time in puddles, stagnant water and sand. After checking the  content of the water allow them to play. In which age they will play again?

    But provide them the proper soap, towel and cleaning brush . After the play time they need to use and enter into the class or room .

Example : In my school, we have given the freedom to play like this. But they always have an extra set of dress. During monsoon, children them self bring letter from the parents if they have fever.

   Last week there was a sudden rain with severe  thunder and lightening. When children asked our permission , we just said no. Some started arguing. We just explained the danger behind the   thunder and lightening. They went into the  class rooms and started playing indoor games.

25. Every week we check their nails, hair , socks, shoes and dress. We provide and help them in removing nail polish, trim nails and wash socks and dresses. Sorry to say that there are '' well educated parents'' who have high tech washing machine ., but no time to operate it. They are  just flying across the world or traveling in their car for minting money.

26. We need to teach them how to touch others, hug with friendly touch ,hand shakes.

27. The children are in need to be aware about stranger's physical touching.

28. Using the private parts, toilets have to be taught.

29. Montessori environment is much concerned about the cleanliness of body and place where we stay. Try to expose them to a tidy beautiful set up inside your home and class. Often insist them about a neat lunch sitting with old news papers, napkins and spoons. In India we always insist to eat with clean hands.

30. Washing the body parts before food and after food is monitored .

31. The most interesting aspect is that , all these activities are organized and planned openly before the students. They discuss about these and make chart .They volunteer them self to check their friends. They are good in explaining their friends in more detail than us. It has more impact.

32. Apart from all these we have regular medical check up sessions. The parents are asked to submit any medical record about their child's special medical issues.

33. We have made them to approach us at any time for first aid. They knew where the kit will be placed. We use Homeopathy medicines for some basic health issues. The direction chart will be placed along with the medicine kit.

34. There are many situations where we are responsible and also not directly responsible  for some health issues. In such situation please shed the ego and talk openly and softly to the parents and explain the situation and first help the child to get medical treatment immediately.  We all are linked to each other. We all are living in one community. So we need to believe each other. If we are going to shout and quarrel, the child is going to be affected.

35. More body care information are expected.

Thanking you!