The Importance of Honesty: 6 Tips to Teach Children Good Habits

Parents live in constant fear of their children falling into the habit of lying, sneaking, cheating, and all the things that good children are not supposed to be doing.

Believing that the only way to get your children in order is by punishing them is wrong. There could be a chance that you’re the one unknowingly forcing them to lie to you.

Whatever the reason, your children should know the importance of being honest. They shouldn’t feel like they can’t share their thoughts, mistakes, or their feelings with you. Top schools in Vadodara also encourage children to tell the truth when it comes to it.

Here’s what you can do at home:

1. Be Truthful

For your children to learn how to speak the truth, it is a must that they see you speaking the truth. You should teach them that when you have nothing nice to say, it would be better to keep control over their words and not say anything rather than hurting others feelings. Lying, on the other hand, is a different matter and should be avoided.

2. No Tests

There’s no point of putting your children on a test. Tempting them into lying about by creating false scenarios. If you’ve seen them do something, and go ahead and ask them if they’ve done it. This would lead them to believe they have a chance of getting away with it. Ask them to fix their mistake right away, without questioning them. This what the top schools in Vadodara would also suggest you do.

3. Show the Perks of Being Honest

Parents are often too quick to scold their children. This creates fear in the mind of children. Instead, encourage them to say the truth, and when they do, better give them something for it. This will build their confidence and contribute to them behaving positively in all aspects of their life.

These changes can come in a child when they are emotionally intelligent. Learn more about it here.

4. Correct their Mistakes

When you do find that your children have made a mistake, you should consider it as an opportunity to teach them why they should have come to you instead of lying. Ask them why they felt like they had to lie. Tell them that once you lose someone’s trust, then it becomes tough to gain it back.

5. Say Even the Harshest Truths

There are certain situations that fall into the category of being wrong. These should be called out, in private, and then to an adult to control its after-effects. Say, for example, that your child knows about someone cheating in exams. You must encourage them to confront the other children about the same and if they don’t listen, get in touch with the teacher of your child’s top school in Vadodara. These kinds of harsh truths will arise several times in your child’s life, and they should be prepared for it.

6. Talk about After-Effects

You must take appropriate disciplinary actions when you find that your children have lied to you. This consequence should be such that it makes your children feel that the lying part is absolutely unnecessary from here on.

Pushing your children into telling the truth may not work in your favour. Instead, when to convince them that the right way to go about life is by being honest, give them reasons for believing in what you’re saying.

At Nalanda International School, Vadodara, we encourage children to develop and maintain good values, ethics, punctuality, and provide the means for holistic development, for which poetry is often used in the curriculum. Since we are one of the top schools in Vadodara, we have a strict ‘no tuition’ policy, and our students are left with a lot of time on hand that can be utilized for various activities.

Learning Poetry Develops a Child's Mind and Heart

How does one even begin to explain how crucial learning and understanding poetry is in a child’s life?

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

You must remember reading these lines in your English textbooks when you were young and maybe studied in the best school in Baroda, right? Robert Frost, one of the most famous poets of his time, wrote the above-mentioned words. You learned about how to make a difference in the world through this poem, and sure enough, many of you might be able to do it as well.

Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why it has become ever so important for children to learn poetry:

• Building a Base for RSL Skills: The RSL here stands for Reading, Speaking, and Learning skills. Creating a base that helps them with gaining finesse over these 3 abilities can widen their horizons. Children need to learn how to read various types of texts, in the right flow and tone, which can be done through reading poems. While reading poetry, children tend to learn new and tough words that they might not find elsewhere, except for learning about them in the top schools in Baroda. Reading and pronouncing them the right way will help them create a seamless experience for sentence formation throughout their lives.

• Encourages Creativity: Poetry is one of those art forms that require a lot of thought process combined with emotions to jot down words. Through this form of expression, children can learn how to convey their emotions and reading various poems can connect them to the experiences of others and find meaning in life. Poetry changes the way we perceive life, and it is known to have a positive impact on our lives, especially children. When exposed to poetry at a young age, children learn how to creatively express themselves.

• Improving Vocabulary: Most of the poetry pieces that you would have read in school would include a little bit of rhyming here and there. These rhyming statements can help children with their listening skills and grasping power. Poetry teaches children about structure, grammar, and identifying parts of speech, which are crucial in regular conversations as well. Along with that, children learn how to use words in context and reference to the situation and the type of sentence that needs to be formed.

Best schools in Baroda consider the inclusion of poetry in academics is as important as sports and other activities.

• Social Learning: There are times when we see parents and even students focusing too much on the “use only brains” concept, which is not necessarily helpful. Poetry can help children in expressing in words the emotions they felt during a social event or an incident that affected them. For children who are not able to express themselves amongst people by speaking may be able to write powerful words that help them cope with various situations in life.

William Butler Yeats said this about poetry: "It is blood, imagination, intellect running together...It bids us to touch and taste and hear and see the world, and shrink from all that is of the brain only."

Parents who send their children to top schools in Baroda should now understand the importance of poetry and encourage their children to read and write poetry.

At Nalanda International School, Baroda, we encourage children to develop and maintain good values, ethics, punctuality, and provide the means for holistic development, for which poetry is often used in the curriculum. Since we have a strict ‘no tuition’ policy, our students are left with a lot of time on hand that can be utilized for various activities.

How to Study History: 11 Tips for Sparking Some Interest In The Classroom

Let's take the reverse gear and talk about subjects that we studied in our school. Maths became easy as soon as students made themselves aware of the few basic rules and learned how to read the word problems efficiently. Science, with all its amazing facts, gave students, a dive into the unexplored parts of their brains and made learning fun.

However, history was always a blurry deal for students. Questions that challenged the need to remember dates from the past, names of people who aren't even a part of the present still prevail. Nalanda International School, the top school in Vadodara realizes the importance of teaching history to students in a way that they enjoy the subject.

There can be various reasons for the massive hatred for history classes - bad teachers, books from poor publications, or a boring curriculum. Schools must always be on the lookout to introduce ways that can keep their students on their toes to learn new things from history.

Here are a few:

1. Use methods that can help students remember dates

Find ways that can help students learn dates quickly. Use images or birthdays of students in a class to associate with the dates.

2. Be ready with interesting facts before a boring topic

A topic can be turned into delight when offered with fascinating insights and events. Equip all the boring lessons with amazing data to keep the students intrigued.

3. Use visual media

Media that explains history visually as well as through audio is always a matchwinner. Keep documentaries and historical movies with you while you take the classes.

4. Organize skits

The person who won the second battle of Panipat will be easy to remember if the students get to see a well-directed act in the classroom.

5. Take students out on a trip

A trip to a historic place will always be a great move to inform students about the incidents that occurred at a particular location. Organize trips and use these as an opportunity to test the students' knowledge.

6. Create mysteries and let students solve them

When students don't know what to expect from the lesson, they become curious. Take advantage of this curiosity and introduce a suspense factor in your lessons.

7. Keep the classes interactive

A monologue in a classroom is always a bad experience. A system where the students listen and take notes is not ideal. Try to make history classes a two-way road. Encourage students to ask questions during the class.

8. Use the journalism method

Appoint a student to speak about a topic in front of the classroom. Allot a topic and ask them to do all the research before coming up with a news bulletin. A student who is actively involved in the process will quickly understand the things.

9. Plan a treasure hunt

Use the school ground and divide teams for a treasure hunt. Ask them to crack the clues hidden at various places to reach the treasure first.

10. Promote group discussions

Give a thought-provoking topic or a situation and allow them to discuss and come up with a conclusion. A situation like ‘What would you have done if you were in the place of Ratan Singh in Chittorgarh?’ will be good to start an intense and insightful discussion.

11. Adopt a proper curriculum

Always adopt books that have updated and the best ways to convey a chapter. A proper curriculum is an ultimate secret for a class to perform well in the history subject.

At Nalanda International School, the staff is constantly focused on the overall development of students and aim to make learning a memorable journey. The school follows the up-to-date curriculum which makes it the top school in Vadodara. Contact now for more information.

5 Assured Tips That Encourage Public Speaking

Speaking in front of an audience is scary for a lot of us, even as adults.

To imagine what a child might be going through when forced to take the stage to deliver a speech in front of their peers has to be scary.

The fear of forgetting lines, their friends laughing, or being judged can be the root causes of children not willing to take the stage.

That being said, some children are naturally big on socializing and don’t require help. While with some, you need to make an effort. Either way, the top school in Baroda says that speaking out in front of people can help them in the long run, with their professional and personal life alike.

Here are a few ways through which public speaking abilities can be developed in children:

• Ask for an Input- There are times when we make decisions in a split second without considering what our children could want. Menial choices like what they want to eat, or what clothes they want to wear, or what show they want to watch, should not be assumed. Letting them speak out about what it is they want is the first step towards developing public speaking skills.

• Introduce the Concept Early- Depending on the nature of your child you might not want to introduce public speaking to them as it is. The best school in Vadodara suggests that instead, it could become a fun activity of performing a fantasy role. Enacting a character from a fairy tale or a comic who addresses the masses could work towards opening their doors to public speaking.

• Work on the Body Language- We know that one of the most crucial aspects of speaking in public is how you carry yourself. The same will have to be taught to children at an early age. One way to do so is to ask them to stand in front of a mirror with a straight back and shoulders and speak while making eye contact with a hint of a smile. Speaking out loud will give them the courage they need to talk in front of people.

• Give Feedback- Remember to give away more positive feedback rather than negative ones. In fact, pointing out mistakes can be done in such a way that they seem as if you’re giving out compliments. Positive reinforcement, according to the top school in Baroda, is essential for a child to develop public speaking skills. Also, the comments can wait until they are done speaking.

• Keep a Record- What this means is that a video could be recorded every time your child practices. When they see themselves in action after the performance, they will realize where they’re making mistakes and will automatically try to improve. With each tape, you will see an improvement in their nature.

The process of developing such a tough skill is long. It is not something that your child will learn in a day or two.

Have patience as they try their best to improve their skills.

The best school in Vadodara believes that by putting the above-mentioned tips to use, you can really help your child improve their speaking skills. By this, they will learn to socialize, make friends, and succeed in their professional life in the long run.

If you would like to know more about how you can help your child with their education, you can read about it here.

At Nalanda International School, Baroda, we encourage our students to develop and maintain good values, punctuality, ethics and provide all the means possible for holistic development. We have a strict ‘no tuition’ policy for our students which leaves them with a lot of time on hand that can be utilized for various activities, other than studying.

How a Child’s Mind Can Develop With Art

There is no doubt that technical skills, like science and math, are an integral part of the education system and need to be understood by students to succeed in life.

Along with that, it is crucial that every student is introduced to the creative side of this life.

Many schools in Baroda would agree that a balance between academics and art is essential for a child’s development.

Creativity will enhance their ability to apply the technical knowledge that they’ve learned in school into the real world. Individually, they will be able to express their emotions better, leading to overall development.

An interested child’s mind works faster and is more responsive than a child who is not as into the same activity.

How does the academic life improve with creativity?

• They become 3 times more likely to win an award for having full attendance.

• They are 4 times more likely to be nominated for an award that honours their dedication towards studies.

• More interested in attending an education-related fair or competition.

• Be involved in community service and gain a better understanding of compassion.

If this doesn’t count as overall growth, what does?

Encouraging children to explore fields that go beyond the classroom or the education system, say performing arts for students, will prove to be beneficial in the future, with relation to their personal, private, and professional life.

What can you do to bring out the creative side in your child?

• Let’s say you’re travelling in your car or just lazing around at home on a Sunday, put on music that you or your children would usually just skip through. Dipping your toes into an unknown territory that is offbeat will not only provide your child with a sense of clarity but also develop their taste.

• Most schools encourage their students to take part in extracurricular activities. This is because they understand that a little distraction from the regular classes will boost their thinking abilities. Letting your child participate in inter-school activities can bring about a change their confidence levels and social skills.

• Chances are you have an extra room (no matter how small) that you use to store things you don’t need. Change it up and make a nice, open, and simplistic art studio for your child. It could become their own space where they could freely express themselves through music, dance, or drawing. A specific corner may also be allocated that only your child is allowed to use.

Even though being involved in various activities can add value and dimension in your child’s life, there is no need to push them into doing something they don’t want. Creativity should be induced out of good spirit, not forcefulness.

How does a child’s mind improve with creativity?

• The stress levels caused by the pressure to perform well in every aspect of their life can be reduced by diverting their minds to activities they are interested in.

• They’ll be able to set goals for themselves, improving their decision-making skills and their ability to follow through tasks.

• Their minds start to churn in attempts to come up with ideas that are innovative and refreshing.

With all the advantages of creativity, it would be cruel to let your children stay away from it. Holistic development is the development that will count in their future and will help them with their greatest endeavours.

If you’ve been thinking, “Oh! Is there a nice ICSE school near me?“

Well, you don’t have to search anymore.

At Nalanda International School, Baroda, we encourage children to develop and maintain good values, ethics, punctuality and provide the means for holistic development. Since we have a strict ‘no tuition’ policy our students are left with a lot of time on hand that can be utilized for various activities.

11 Food Habits To Inculcate In Your Children

Are mealtimes a war zone at your home?

If yes, then you are not alone.

All parents want their child to be as healthy as they can be. However, many parents consider that encouraging nutritious food for children is a nightmare.

If your children are troubling you during mealtime, then let Nalanda International School, a reputed school in Baroda help you with it. They have prepared a list of approaches that you can try out as a parent to make your child teach healthy eating habits:

Never dictate food

Rather than being a food monarch, be a food liberal and keep a wide variety of healthy food items and ingredients in your house. This small tactic will be beneficial for your children to learn about healthy food choices. Keep all the unhealthy items like chips, soda, etc. on the help of the grocery store. Most importantly serve water with meals.

Encourage your children to eat slowly

Inculcate a habit of slow eating in your children as they can fulfil their hunger better with it. One thing you can try is that before offering a second serving, ask your child to be patient to know that if he/she is still hungry. Such a small interval of time will give the brain a time to register fullness. Always remember that second servings are small so try to incorporate veggies into it.

Mealtime = family time

Mealtime is the only time when all members of the family can meet. Try to make it pleasant by conversing and sharing things. By making it unpleasant, you are breaking the rule two as children will eat faster to leave the table as soon as possible. Always keep the mealtime happy and stress-free.

Allow children to be a part of food preparing process

By incorporating children in food activities, you will get better insights into your children’s food preferences.

Take your children to the grocery store and give them an opportunity to learn about nutrition, weights, and other essential food symbols like expiry date, food certification, etc. This activity will provide them with a feeling of accomplishment.

Moreover, also allow your children to help you in the kitchen with small things that will make them eat food as they are the part of preparation.

Plan for snacks

Overeating is terrible so does continuous snacking. Snacks that are planned at a specific time throughout the day can be a nutritious step as it won’t spoil the child’s appetite at mealtime. As a parent, you should prepare snacks that are nutritious and tasty to keep your children away from junk snacks. Keep such homemade snacks within reach of your children.

Set some family goals

Restricting ice cream and sodas during weekdays is a good habit to teach your children. Also, ensure that your children are achieving daily goals like drinking water every hour to encourage hydration.

Avoid television while eating

Always try to eat your meals in designated areas like the dining room or kitchen. Avoid living room as when children eat in front of the TV, and they may lose the sense of fullness which leads to overeating.

Avoid caffeinated or sweetened drinks

Encourage children to drink plenty of water rather than sweetened drinks and sodas during meal time as such things are the leading cause of obesity. Moreover, drinking caffeinated beverages during meals can disturb the sleep cycle of the children which can lead to change in routine.

Don’t use food as a punishment or as a reward

Considering food as an item of punishment or reward is a bad idea. When you withhold food as a punishment may direct your children to worry that they will not get enough food. As a result, children may eat more whenever they get a chance.

Also, by luring children to eat sweets after completing the vegetables sends a wrong message among children as they will perceive vegetables as a bad item. Rather than using food as an excuse for punishment or reward, cultivate the habit of the importance of food in your children.

Ensure that the meals are balanced

Always prepare a balanced diet even if your children are eating at school. Pack their tiffins with a variety of food items that cover all the nutritious elements. Moreover, select healthier food items while dining at restaurants.

Pay attention to portion size and ingredients

Always read food labels and limit the serving of foods with trans fat as it may lead to obesity. Also, ensure that you serve the appropriate portion as indicated on the label to keep the nutrients balanced.

Moreover, here is the list of food items that should avoid giving it to your children:

. Apple juice

. Soda

. Breakfast cereals

. Packaged lunches

. Granola bars

. Sports drinks

. Frozen food items

. Dipping sauces, etc.

Try out these tactics and see the change in your child’s food habits.

Nalanda International School is a well-known school in Baroda which encourages the children to follow the healthy lifestyle by eating nutritious food and by doing exercises. They also organise guest lectures to motivate children to teach healthy habits.