Cooking is a wonderful learning activity for kids – touching and feeling and smelling different ingredients engages them in sensory play and exploration. Apart from that, it combines learning about colors, science, and language, and a fine motor skills activity, to make learning fun for kids. Kids will have to do some basic counting and judging quantities, which also packs in a math activity!

Preparing meals boosts children’s confidence and encourages them to be less fussy about food. With adult supervision, let them make mistakes and learn from them, have a blast while doing it, AND get a meal at the end of it! Check out these 5 recipes that don’t require kids to step near a stove: 

Ants on a Log

Ants on a log is a ridiculously simple recipe. Kids can have fun and be creative with this one. This post from Healthy Little Foodies suggests different combinations for the recipe, so it can be customized and changed around, depending on your kid’s taste. This is perfect even for the fussiest of eaters. We love it because it’s a visual treat for kids, and combines veggies and proteins so that’s a definite win! 

Sandwiches: 12 Ways 

Sandwiches are a no-brainer, both as a choice of food and as something easy for kids to prepare!. What we love about sandwiches are the infinite possibilities and combinations that go in between two slices of bread. Taste.com’s post gives you 12 great ideas on how to get really creative with sandwiches – from sushi sandwich bites or a traffic light sandwich! This presents the perfect opportunity to pack in some fun learning, especially for younger kids. 

Microwave Mug Mac and Cheese 

This simple, quick, and delicious recipe from Bigger Bolder Baking will have young fans and definitely encourage kids to spend more time in the kitchen. Especially convenient if you’re tight on time, this recipe works as a meal, or even better – an after-school snack. It is surprising to know that pasta cooks so quickly in the microwave! To optimize, even more, you can prepare this beforehand and just pop it in the microwave when you’re ready to eat! 

Nutty Cinnamon Yoghurt Dipper

The next time you’re entertaining or have people over for dinner put the kids in charge of appetizers. BBC Good Food’s recipe for a nutty yogurt dipper will not disappoint! The kids are going to love taking the responsibility because the recipe is not at all complex and doesn’t need them to step near a stove! We recommend trying this dip with carrots and beetroots, and getting the kids to experiment with putting pieces of fruits and vegetables on skewers. You can get creative with the selection of veggies and fruits, or pick something that is in season (kids may require assistance with cutting and chopping). For the nut butter, check out Living Food Company’s Almond Butter, or Sundrop’s Peanut Butter. 

No Bake Chocolate Cake

If you thought we had missed out on dessert from this list, you’re mistaken! We know there’s always space for something sweet, and we were blown away by Helen’s recipe for a no-bake chocolate truffle cake from Scrummy Lane. Just the name sounds sinful, and the recipe will not disappoint! You can melt the cooking chocolate in the microwave, and set the cake in the fridge instead of baking it in the oven. For the rose petals that the recipe calls for, we recommend Nature Vit’s edible rose petals available on Amazon! 

Get the little aprons on and prep the kitchen for the junior master chefs!

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Before purchasing any protective gear, here are some preventive measures to avoid sickness for every school-going child-

• Talk to your pediatrician about your child’s vaccine schedule and find out if they are eligible for a flu shot.
• Make dietary changes to include more immunity-boosting ingredients and recipes that help your child battle monsoon-related sickness.
• Make sure that you teach your child some basic hygiene practices like sanitizing, coughing with their mouth closed, and not sharing handkerchiefs and water bottles at this time.
• Make sure that your child is active and moving as exercise and physical activity increase immunity and help your child stay disease-free!

The Faithful Umbrella- The first thing that comes to your mind when we say monsoon- is the trusty umbrella! This is an important addition to any monsoon essentials starter pack. An umbrella is the first thing you buy, no matter what your age.  To make sure that your kid never forgets their umbrella at home, get them in attractive prints, and patterns, or better yet have their favorite characters feature on the umbrellas. 

The Protective Raincoat- Sometimes carrying an umbrella can get quite cumbersome for young kids, and umbrellas don’t assure overall protection. A great way to provide all-around protection is to buy good-quality raincoats for your kid. This can protect them from torrential rainfall, a daily affair in Mumbai and Pune during peak monsoon. Get a bright-colored raincoat that is full-sized and covers your child’s head. Even better if it covers their school bags and accessories! Wildcraft has a complete collection of rainwear and protective equipment for children and teens, in exciting colors and prints that you need to check out! 

The Trusty Sanitizer- In these uncertain times, a sanitizer is an absolute must.  You might be vigilant at all times and encourage your child to wash their hands often, but when they are at school or at socially distanced parties, they touch a lot of surfaces that are dirty and might potentially harm them. As kids, they are not that conscious about their fingers touching their face all the time and might eat without the fuss of washing their hands. A trusty sanitizer that is easy to use and convenient is the best way to keep your kids safe!  

The Comforting Jacket- Catching a cold during monsoon season is very easy, and in these times, keeping your immune system strong and protected is important. One mistake we make is not giving kids added protection in terms of clothes, as kids can get wet during torrential rainfall and if they are not immediately covered with something warm, they will catch a cold which might lead to bouts of viral. A good jacket that lasts the season is a great buy! 

The Waterproof Bag-  Carrying your umbrella, raincoats, and your other essentials can get quite cumbersome, the water may weigh it down making it difficult for your child to conveniently carry their stuff. Your kid’s school bag is a great tool to carry all the essentials but they need to be waterproof to prevent anything inside from getting wet as well as stop water from seeping outside! 

Safe Footwear-  Proper footwear is essential to your child’s safety during the monsoon season as splashing in the puddles and walking through dirty pools of water in poor footwear can risk the chances of infection, and without proper footwear, they might also skid and slip on the road. Keeping the feet clean and making sure they don’t fall is why you need to buy good footwear for them!

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For young ones getting back to school after a massive break of 2 years, the transition might not go down smoothly. Separation anxiety, irregular routine, social anxiety, and other related issues might make our kids nervous to go back to regular school timings. For a parent, the transition period is the toughest part of this period making sure that going back to school is not a battle for our young ones. 

Since two years is a long time, it is quite natural for our kids to get used to the normal routine of attending school from home. All children have different personalities so it cannot be expected that all of them would be excited to get back to school and resume the status quo. This is especially true for those children who started formal schooling on a laptop- a transition to full-blown 5 hours of school might be tough on them if introduced arbitrarily. 

So how can you as a parent ace this transition for your children and make it easy for them to attend school again by reducing these concerns? Keep reading! 

Address The Problem Head On- Do not expect your child to react like every other person! Your child is a unique personality with their own expectations, emotions, and ideas. Some children are social and extroverted, while some children choose to be more reserved and shy. While there is no harm in encouraging your child to socialize and meet new people, you need to acknowledge your child’s unique personality and understand that some children may not like social gatherings all the time. Naturally, such children have been accustomed to online schooling and might be intimidated to go back to physical school again. Instead of taking away their floaties and pushing them into the pool, talk to them about their anxieties, concerns, and reservation. Address these issues head-on as a family before school re-opens instead of letting it sit and worsening your child’s attitude towards school. 

Dealing With Separation Anxiety- One of the key responsibilities as a parent is keeping your child safe and making them feel that they are protected and secure. As young children, especially 1st and 2nd graders who have only known their safe homes as their ‘school’ go to their actual school, your child might be nervous and feel some aspects of separation anxiety. This is the time you as a parent, make some change and empower your child to embrace this without them feeling insecure and scared. Schedule play-dates, make sure you are letting them spend time by themselves, and foster independence is just some of the ways you can help your child ace the transition. Remember, start these practices way ahead of school re-opening so that your child is used to this by the time they get ready to attend full-time classes. 

Routine- The toughest part of the transition is getting back into a strict routine. From breakfast, and top school pick-ups, to a proper bedtime, scheduling these after a gap of 2 years is tough on both the parent and the child. Instead, start focusing on setting a routine at least a week before school starts. Be strict about bedtime to make sure that your children are getting enough sleep, and have had enough practice of waking up on time so that on D-Day, there are no tantrums. Please make sure the kids make enough time to catch up on extra-curricular activities, meal times, and homework, and collaborate WITH them to make a routine that actually works! 

Lastly, Some Retail Therapy! 

Listen, retail therapy can make everything better! A new school bag, a brand new pair of shoes, some monsoon gear, a sparkly tiffin box, or a superhero water bottle can make all the difference too! Get your kids excited about school with some good old shopping- trust us it works all the time!

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If you are a parent thinking about including some mental health practices and are curious about resources for your teenagers, keep reading! 

Journaling- One of the best mental health practices for teenagers is to journal and document their moods, emotions, and experiences. As a teenager, one goes through a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions that just get saturated sitting in the brain without having an outlet creating fertile grounds for outbursts and a negative spiral. Journaling is a great outlet for teens to write about their personal journey, helping them to actually express their thoughts in a safe space without the fear of judgment. These days journals come in exciting teen aesthetics and styles to motivate young adolescents to document the bumpy ride that is adolescence. 

Some journals that we love- 

The Five Minute Journal- Get it here!

My Little Big Day- Get it here!

One Page A Day- Get it here!

Exercise– Physical activity, playing a sport, and accelerating your heart rate are just perfect practices for your brain to release the natural feel-good hormone- dopamine! Exercise and being active are must-include activities for any teenager as they get back to school. Enrolling them in a team sport, and encouraging them to catch up on a rainy-day football session with friends are just perfect ways for your teenager to manage their emotions in an active way. Exercise, in fact, has proven to improve mental health by reducing instances of anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders in teenagers. Additionally, with the rising rates of obesity in urban areas, exercise and physical activity are important to prevent any physiological problems later on in your teen’s life! 

Support Groups- Sometimes as parents, we are unable to understand the generation and individual struggles our children face on a daily basis. As parents, we can be staunch supporters and cheerleaders for our growing teens, but they might not be able to relate to us or talk openly to us due to reservations and personal reasons. Show your support and respect for your teen’s privacy by enrolling them in teen support groups where your child can find their personal safe space. Support groups are excellent spaces for young teens to share their struggles, vulnerabilities, and emotional problems with like-minded teens their own age, who can relate to their problems. These groups are moderated by a mental health professional who makes sure that your teen’s problems are heard and understood in the best way possible. 

Some support groups that you can check out- 

Sleep- We do not stress this enough but sleep is the most important mental health practice that your teen can follow- especially in this transition to full-time school. Sleep is the time when the body resets its internal mechanisms, different cells get to work, our neural networks and processes are enriched, and vital organs in the body get the time to grow and heal. Poor quality of sleep is directly linked to irritable moods, anxiety, and low energy during school and work time. If your teen is going back to a physical school, take some time to reset their sleep time and routine. Set a proper bedtime and remove all screens and digital tablets away during these precious 8 hours. Work with your teen to help them wind down with some meditative playlists and narration by apps like Headspace and Calm. 

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Teenagers, pre-teens- more specifically your older kids go through a lot of physical, emotional, mental, and social changes at their age. While we have all heard of the famous ‘rebellious’ phase that all teens go through, we hardly take the time to sit and unpack all these potent emotions. Every teen has a unique situation where they are juggling academic expectations, social circle expectations, dealing with online beauty standards, and going through puberty- all at the same time! This is a perfect time as a parent for you to be a support system and a confidante for your child, and aid their expression and validate their emotions. 

Simple practices like setting a digital detox every week for an amount of time- where you and your children spend time with each other- screen-free. Scheduling a pampering, self-care session with you and your teen- whether it is going to a nail salon, getting facials, or just getting a pizza with them! These practices become rituals, and these rituals become a safe space for your teen to talk about issues and experiences that bother them.

As a parent of teenagers, you have the utmost responsibility of de-stigmatizing mental health in your household. Talking about therapy to your child, taking your children to support groups, and making it a safe space for your children to be vulnerable- are just some of the ways in which you can help your teenager be confident in their self-expression. Involving the immediate family- and making sure that you schedule time monthly just to check in with one another, talk about upsetting incidents, behavioral changes, etc, makes these changes normal for your child who is going through something new to them! 

Another thing to consider on the importance of World Emoji Day is the significance of Positive Emotions. As parents of young teens, we often emphasize how to regulate negative behavior patterns, but spend little time on promoting positive emotions- like confidence, happiness, trust, and much more. In an insightful research article where the researchers study- ‘The neglected role of positive emotions, there is a growing concern about the lack of conversation about positive emotions in adolescent behavior. Instead of just focusing on what makes teenagehood so rough, take this time to appreciate and embrace the growing changes, talk to your kids about self-love, and body-image acceptance- instead of just focusing on the negatives. This breeds an environment for your budding teenagers to navigate this path of adolescence with a level of comfort and confidence that they sorely need! This is the time for YOU as a parent to break generational patterns and welcome your child’s teenage years with open arms! 

Parents, here are some online mental health resources that we know will help your teenager navigate the bumpy journey of emotions, hormonal changes, and adolescence! 

1. Aware Mental Health 
2. The Tribe 
3. The Mind Clan
4. NAMI

The post On World Emoji Day, Here’s How To Talk To Your Teenager About Expressions and Emotions appeared first on Windmill Festival.

Music is one of the simple pleasures of life. Coming back from a dreary day at school, or livening up your spirits on a good day- both these situations are made better with a song close to our heart. This is probably why hearing is one of the earliest senses that develops, with infants at the end of the last trimester being able to identify and hear music. So much so that if the baby hears a tune multiple times when inside the womb, can identify the same tune as a newborn. 

Music requires complex cognitive functioning, hand-eye coordination, tone processing, etc which are excellent exercises for a young mind. These activities at a young age even facilitate your child’s brain to process complex mathematical operations and numerical logic at a later age. Moving from the long-term benefits, learning how to play an instrument is a classic example of the learning-by-doing school that encourages children to learn new skills by actually getting hands-on. This gives them numerous opportunities for personality development as they gain confidence and satisfaction from playing a set on the violin or finally getting the beats right on the drum set. 

If you have a young infant at home, try incorporating music into their daily routine. Babies can identify patterns and tunes faster than they can comprehend the words- this exposes them to different rhythms and instruments. Soothing music and white noise in the background can actually help them sleep faster and be calmer. Making up your own songs during bath time, feeding and other routines can be a playful bonding experience with them and can be your baby’s first exposure to songs. This is especially true for bilingual or trilingual households where you want children to learn and identify their mother tongue well. Nursery rhymes and short and simple songs in the mother tongue are excellent ways to get your child to be proficient in their mother tongue. 

At a later age, say teenage and young adulthood, music is a stress buster. As your kids grow up, their school work mounts up, hormonal changes of puberty start acting up and they go through a lot of changes at home and at school. At this, music serves as an outlet and emotional support for many kids as they navigate through these changes. In a study, music was found to be related to positive mental health and immunity! This study throws light on the positive effects of music therapy on patients with mental health issues, and the other physiological effects of music like improved heart rate, motor skills, brain stimulation, and modulation of the immune system. 

So parents, on the occasion of World Music Day, let your children discover the world of music and cherish the gift of a lifetime! Here are some online resources and classes that you enroll your child in- 

The post Music and Brain Development- On World Music Day, Explore This Important Connection! appeared first on Windmill Festival.

The first step is to educate your child about the festivities. This does not mean a heavy religious discussion but in a narrative story format. You can use a lot of online resources for the same- using Youtube videos, online kid-friendly articles, or even use a plethora of children’s story books and movies for the same. This sets up a positive and wholesome environment for the child and sets the ground for further interest in the festival. Whenever a heady or difficult conversation is to be had with your child, always make sure to break it down in compartments and in a way that can be easily understood by them. 

The second step is by play. Ganesh Chaturthi also entails a lot of preparation and effort to welcome our favorite Ganesha into our homes every year. This is the best time to involve your younger ones, as they learn by doing. Instead of them sitting and participating only during pooja, why not involve them in getting the house ready? Simple tasks like making a small Ganesh idol by using atta, making the flower arrangement, and making their own rangolis, get them excited and involved in the festivities. 

The third element is food. Now the way into a child’s mind is definitely through the stomach, and there are some delectable Ganesh Chaturthi treats that are favorites for all ages. Most of these treats and sweets are made at home using a special family recipe that is near and dear to us. Whether it is making ladoos or modaks, get your child interested by teaching them how to make little versions of this age-old treat. Whether it is shaping or molding them, mixing the key ingredients, or measuring them, make sure that they are involved in some capacity when making these delicious treats. 

The fourth element is getting them involved spiritually. Now, at a young age, understanding the complexities of God or religion might be too much for your little ones, but spirituality and peace are universal. During aarti, pooja, or a celebration, make sure that they are participating. Not just that, explain to them in a medium that they can understand why we do aarti or sing to the idols. Making your child feel that Ganesha is just like another loved family member who only visits once a year, which is why we like to celebrate him with pomp and show can be a way to talk to them about this. 

Always remember that getting kids involved at a young age in our culture and festivities set the stage for their interest and participation later on. In an increasingly globalized and online world, individual cultures and festivities may get blurred, so as parents and guardians, it is up to us to make sure that coming generations remember the riding emotions and celebrations of our beloved Ganesh Chaturthi! 

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You can also check out these books on Zoobostory or Zoomin with exclusive offers.

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Honey- Honey might seem harmless on the surface, but it is a MUST avoid for infants under a year old. Any kids of honey whether it is raw or cooked should be avoided as it is very bad for infants. Honey contains a bacteria called Clostridium botulinum, which can produce botulinum spores that can be toxic to children. These spores contain harmful materials that secrete toxins and can lead to a wide variety of illnesses. Muscle weakness, crying, constipation, muscle weakness, loss of tone, and in worst cases- paralysis in young infants. An infant does not have a strong stomach at that age to fight off spores and toxins. 

Cow’s Milk- Do not introduce any form of animal milk to your kids before their first birthday. Stick to your trusted formula or breast milk, and consult your pediatrician before you introduce any sort of dairy product to your children. Kids under the age of 1 do not have a strong intestinal system that can digest all the enzymes and proteins that are found in milk. Certain substances and minerals can also cause significant damage to your baby’s kidney. Caution should be exercised to not just milk, but also milk products. Formula and breast milk have all the nutrients a baby needs for growth. 

Eggs- Any form of egg products or raw egg whites are a complete no-no with babies. It is recommended not to introduce eggs to kids under one as it might trigger an allergic reaction in the future. Egg yolks are rarely any cause of allergens but the baby’s intestines are not prepared to digest the proteins in the egg whites. Once your baby reaches the age of 18 months and more, it is probably okay to start introducing eggs to them only after consulting with your pediatrician. 

Citrus- DO avoid feeding your child any citrus fruits if they are not 1 yet. Citrus fruits and juices are high in Vitamin C and are acidic which might trigger an upset stomach and causes acid reflux. 

Seafood- As the child is young, a lot of their allergen history is not known or present. Potential allergen foods like seafood and shellfish might trigger an unwanted reaction so it is best to avoid them till the baby reaches a certain age. Before introducing any type of fish- even mackerel or tuna, discuss this with your pediatrician before including them in your baby’s diet. 

Wheat- Try to avoid including gluten as much as you can till your child is about 2 or even three years old. If you have decided to introduce wheat early, check with your pediatrician first before you try out any sort of new food group. Once your baby reaches the age of 1 and does not react to rice, oats, or barley, then it is probably okay to introduce wheat to your baby.

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Make sure that before you zero in on a spot, you check beforehand if the place has kid-friendly hotels, spacious rooms, and a family-friendly atmosphere. For more information on hotels and accommodations check out our Travel section, which has a list of regional hotels and lodges that are kid-friendly. Check out our favorite summer holiday destinations below- 

Munnar- Explore the beauty of Kerala, smell the aromatic tea leaves from the scenic tea estates, and delight your senses in the exotic flora and fauna that are abundant in this place! Munnar is definitely a must-visit destination this summer if you are planning to escape to a cooler spot for a week! Take your kids with you as they will be delighted by multiple elephant sightings, the intricate workings of a tea factory, and the innate beauty of the hills at Munnar. With many homestays and accommodations available, summertime in Munnar is quite pleasant and will surely be a memorable stay for you and your family! 

Darjeeling- Rightly known as the Queen of the Hills, Darjeeling is a favorite spot for many in East India. Whether you are planning a weekend, or a short stay, Darjeeling is perfect for all. With tons of activities and parks for kids to do, it is the best place for both kids and parents to relax and rejoice in the pleasant weather of Darjeeling. Gorge on lavish breakfast spreads at Keventer’s or indulge in some much-needed retail therapy in the famous Mall Road. Darjeeling surely has something for everyone. Begin your days at a tea estate, with a sip of the world-famous tea, overlooking the mighty Kanchendzonga Range. The go-to place for many surely checks out Darjeeling this summer! 

Leh- This place surely will be a summer holiday of a lifetime! Leh is known for attracting tourists with adventurous spirits and lively personalities, so it is surely something your kids will remember for a lifetime. Apart from the delicious food and drink available here, experience the serenity of nature at one of the highest tourist destinations in India. Tour the pristine waters of the Pangong Tso lake, drive on one of the highest motorable roads in the world, and trek with your kids to explore the ethereal beauty of Leh and Ladakh. 

Majuli Island- Did you know that India has the world’s largest river island? Well, we do and it is called Majuli island and is located in Assam! Set in the majestic Brahmaputra river, this untouched tourist destination is growing popular by the year, and is surely a must-visit destination for you and your kids! Enjoy fresh river produce, a serene atmosphere, and the cool river breeze with your family! 

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