The Musical Theme- Diwali is all about the sounds of laughter that the joy of togetherness brings. Incorporate this theme in your next Diwali party by making it all about the sounds and music of the festival. Order all the Indian classics, and if you have talented budding musicians at home, give them all the liberty to plan out the musical itinerary of the night that has to match the Diwali theme. Make it like a concert at home- complete with a makeshift stage, don your most glamorous saree or kurta, and jam to your favorite songs. Make a fun competition by playing the guess the song, or the singer game, and give everyone in the family a chance to let their inner singer alive at the stage. We love these lights that will add some serious charm to your stage! To add to the music theme, check out these decorations! 

The Backyard Diwali Party- An outdoor Diwali party is a fun idea especially if you have kids at home. It is also a great backyard party idea on a budget since it will include only your closest people. Start off your decor by lighting up the patio, or using some string lights to spruce up the patio furniture. For food, make sure you have a lot of finger food and snacks ready to go, and it will be cheaper to buy it in bulk. Be ready with a shade if it starts raining and keep the kids engaged with fun activities like letting them play with eco-friendly crackers under the parental guidance of course, or keep them busy in a fun art project which is Diwali themed like finger painting a Diya or what Diwali represents to them! 

The DIY Rangoli Party- What’s Diwali without Rangoli, take this opportunity to let your inner artist shine. Get rangoli supplies at home, and create a competition where the entire fam competes to create the biggest and the most eloquent rangolis. Team up and collaborate with the family members to create your own personal masterpiece at home. Since everyone will be busy creating these rangolis, make sure you have enough snack foods and drinks for refreshments to keep the spirit alive! We love these DIY Rangoli kits for your children!

Decorate Your Own Diya- What’s Diwali without the iridescent illumination of tiny diyas dotted around the house. Make it a fun activity by including everyone in the fam, even the kids. The joy of having made your diya and decorating it all over the house will be unparalleled. Plus engaging your kids in creative activities like these is great for their brain development and finger dexterity. We love these adorable make-your-own diya sets for the entire fam!

A Floral Themed Diwali Party- The pastel shades of fresh flowers from the market, the ephemeral charm of marigolds that is a staple fixture during any kind of festivity, the allure of jasmine, or the understated elegance of lilies, flowers have the ability to light up any household. Plan your Diwali by adding some gorgeous flowers all over your living space that matches the color scheme of your house. We recommend light shades of lily and jasmine if you have a monochrome setting at your place, or a bright flush of marigold if your Diwali party is during the day. Don’t want to opt for fresh flowers for your party? We love this flower hanging that is sure to brighten up your party!

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As parents, we have a unique and diverse set of roles. Not only do we serve as primary guardians and protectors of our children, but we also serve as a vessel for transmitting culture and traditional values. In a world, where a globalized culture is so predominant, it is easy for children to forget their individuality and history. So this independence day, talk to your kids about India’s freedom struggle, the perils of colonization, and the remarkable uphill battle that our glorious freedom fighters fought to bring us this life of freedom and equality. 

Some of us may not know the right tools and conversation points to keep the young ones engaged and interested, so this article is just for you! 

First, remember that your child is just a young person, so do not expect them to be interested and attentive if you roll out a gigantic history book and start narrating. Make sure that the content is tailored towards their understanding. Your best bet would be to play informative movies like this animated short on one of our prolific heroes- Bhagat Singh. Make the discussion interactive and make sure that you are taking enough breaks in between to answer your child’s questions and doubts! 

Second, know that there is no right way to make your child aware of the Independence Struggle. Every child has a different style of learning, so make sure you acknowledge that before you plan something. Instead of hosting a movie night or play session, you can also plan a trip to some of the historic Independence Movement memorials and take a trip down history, actually seeing the monuments and memorials laid down for our freedom fighters. It can be a trip to the peaceful Sabarmati Ashram, the solemn Shaheed Minar, or the India Gate in Delhi. 

Third, children learn better with others! Host a session with your child’s friends and make it crafty and fun for them. You can ask them to build a scrapbook of the most influential freedom fighter in their opinion, and ask them to give a presentation on that with their friends! 

Fourth, take your child to see a light and sound show! Trust us, this is one of the ways your child will be invested in our history in the most immersive experience. Children learn better when they use multiple senses, and this show incorporates invigorating audio and an informative narrative about our glorious independence struggle. 

Finally, open up to your child about what Independence Day means to you. Take them down memory lane, and trace your ancestors and their stories when they lived through the Independence Struggle. If you have grandparents, and great-grandparents alive, take this time to bond with them and involve them to share their experiences as they lived through such tumultuous times.

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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

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Ed-tech sites also help children who have different styles of learning. For example, some children are visual learners which is why graphics, videos, and aesthetics are important to them when learning new material. Some children learn better with audio, making audiobooks, podcasts, and similar learning materials the perfect way to introduce science or math to your kids, especially if they are young. With ed-tech platforms, you can broaden your kid’s learning horizon without having to move from place to place, get all your materials in one place and let your child start learning and growing today! 

Here are some Ed-Tech sites we know your kids will love! 

WhiteHat Jr

Why White Hat Jr? We all know that the digital revolution is here! With that, there is a serious need for upskilling and re-orienting our education system to include technical knowledge about the ever-growing digital ecosystem. 

What We Love– This is where WhiteHat Jr comes in. From a young age, trained teachers and professionals nurture the love for coding through award-winning data programs tailored to work with young minds. Kids get a personalized session with a trainer who guides them through intricate knowledge about algorithms and data sets, in a language that they can understand. Is your kid interested in making their own online games and programs? WhiteHat Jr is the place to start! 

Book Here– Schedule your first free class here! 

Unacademy

Why Unacademy?- Coming home from school, getting ready for multiple tuitions, coming back home, preparing for the next day’s lesson while attending all other extracurriculars can get taxing on any growing child! Unacademy helps every child get the best support with their education- whether it is preparing for CLAT in Class 12 or a teen confused about chemistry- Unacademy serves students from every background and need! 

What We Love– Livestreams, live doubt-solving sessions, one-to-one mentoring, Unacademy creates a personalized learning session for your kid. Through Unacademy, your child can meet many like-minded students and create a community that is quite helpful during exam season. Unacademy hosts a plethora of helpful study materials that are tailored for every subject and topic which is quite helpful for recall and for clearing conceptual clarity. 

Book Here- Explore courses here!

OckyPocky 

Why OckyPocky?- In India, English is a second language in many households. However, as schools and colleges hold the quality of fluent spoken English quite high in their assessments, having a strong hold on the language is important. Language, for that matter, should be taught from a young age as children have very perceptive brains and grasping abilities at a young age helping them understand the language better. Ockypocky works with kids at a young age through their attractive visuals and interesting subject material making learning English a fun activity! 

What We Love- This app is India’s first interactive learning app developed by Whizkids that uses artificial intelligence to assist young children with learning the language. OckyPocky gives feedback to young kids, using fun visuals and audio to help children get better with the language. Children get help with perfecting their accent and grammar, improving their vocabulary, and speaking the language with confidence. 

Book Here- Book a free demo here!

Kutuki 

Why Kutuki?- As parents, we want the best education for our children. From buying interactive toys to creating a wholesome learning environment, we go a long way to help our kids learn better, reach their developmental milestones, and give them every chance available to become better people, inside and out. While we may wish for more time, working parents have a lot on their plate, and designing unique games and activities for their young ones can get challenging too soon. This is where Kutuki comes in. With a host of interactive games, programs, and learning materials, this app helps your child grow and reach their developmental milestones! All this and more are available in 6 regional languages! 

What We Love- A team of educators, musicians, storytellers, and professionals creates a learning environment that seamlessly blends art and technology, making sure that your child is getting the most diverse life skills. Through their program, young minds get stimulated to explore and know more about vocabulary, life skills, numbers, and even the alphabet. Perfect for young kids, this app truly is a gem! 

Book Here– Check out this app here!

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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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Twister- This beloved game that has been around for years is the perfect summer game for your kids to try. This game is specially tailored for young kids who might not enjoy a lot of physically demanding games in the heat. These hilarious games that require you to bend, twist and turn in different positions are done better outside, as it gives your children much more space and freedom to play as they please. What’s better, adults can also join in the fun with their kids and spend endless hours of pure fun making memories in the summer breeze. Get your Twister here. 

Water Volleyball-  One thing that serves as a respite for all of us is the pool during summers. Your kids may not take to running around in the heat well, but they surely would not pass up any time in the pool. Make things interesting by inviting all their friends for a fun game of pool volleyball, which has all the fun of normal volleyball, but the added difficulty of wading your way through the water to make things fun! Not only is this a game that will keep them engaged for hours, but it is a great form of exercise that will encourage your kids to stay active and fit during the summer! 

Paint Master- This game involves both outdoor fun and also creative exercises to keep your kids engaged. Make sure to use washable paints for this game to easily clean after it is over. It is a fairly simple game, best done outdoors for an added element of fun. Divide the kids into groups of two and give them an outside garage or wall to paint under a given time. Teammates have to switch and go back to the starting point every 30 seconds and have to paint a complete picture that will be assigned to them at the starting. The team that finishes the artwork first, wins. Not only is t a fun sports game, but it also teaches kids teamwork, cooperation, and effective communication as both the team members have to be in sync to finish the complete picture. For your washable, non-toxic paints, try Dabble for all your art needs! 

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Podar International School- Podar International School comes with eons of experience almost spanning 9 decades! The first member of the board of the Podar Education trust was none other than the Father of the Nation- Mahatma Gandhi. Since then, Podar has come a long way and has truly revolutionized modern education in India. Not only do they have dedicated and high-tech STEM labs in their school, but they also encourage brilliance and out-of-the-box thinking through their innovation labs. Not just that, a dedicated school and career counselor helps your child ready their portfolio and applications for Ivy League and prestigious universities abroad. With branches all over India, Podar International School should surely be on your lookout. 

Ecole Mondiale World School, Juhu, Mumbai- Affiliated to International Baccalaureate (IB), and Cambridge International Examinations Curriculum (CIE), get the best of international schooling, that Mumbai has to offer. Already touted as one of the best international schools in India, you should be seriously considering Ecole Mondiale for its curriculum structure, modern ed-tech installations, and dedicated student counseling that offers sterling standards of education to your children. Boasting Ivy League alumni, Ecole Mondiale truly provides your children with the most premium standards of education. 

The Banyan Tree IB World School, Delhi- Known as one of the premier international schools in India, this school is truly a breath of fresh air, in the fast-expanding international schools market in India. It has a renowned modern education structure that calls for flexibility and a unique system of education that provides your child the much-needed push to explore and understand their syllabus, without the rote learning method. With branches in Bhopal, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Jagdishpur, and more, you are now a step closer to providing your children with a world-class, and unique education, that your children will thank you for in the long run! They also have an average class strength of 30 students, which makes individualized attention to every student possible making sure that a student’s learning potential is maximized. 

Victorious Kids Educare- One of the premier names in Pune, and also one of the best international schools in India, Victorious Kids should surely be on your lookout in case you are thinking of enrolling your kids in this academic session. With a 1:8 teacher-student ratio, your child is surely going to be taken care of, in their personal and academic growth. Along with personalized education, this school is trying to make international and world-class education affordable and accessible in India. Besides providing ample modern educational infrastructure, they also focus on extra-curricular activities and encourage children to participate in sports and other forms of arts and activities! 

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• Food

 Well, the theme of this party is certainly no Easter egg after all! From everything to bunny-shaped cookies, egg appetizers, and Easter-colored cupcakes- you can definitely go creative with the food. Preparation at least two days beforehand is crucial so that on the day of the party there are no glitches! You can also have an Easter-themed cookie decoration station on the day of the party as a fun activity for kids. If you have decided to have a particular theme for your food arrangements, we highly suggest checking out the Preppy Kitchen Youtube channel which has a curated list of easy dessert recipes that you can try for your party. From Easter Bunny Cupcakes, Easter Bread, Easter Egg Cakes to Easter Chick Cupcakes, this channel has the most detailed and easy recipes to try for your Easter party! For the main course and for dishes on the savory side, we recommend a menu that includes Pastel Deviled Eggs, Crescent Rolled Carrots, and a Quiche to bring in the theme of Easter and Spring. Want to know the detailed recipes for each? Certainly, check out this video for the detailed recipes and more inspiration regarding the menu! 

• Activities 

Entertaining young kids will be a task for sure! Make sure you have planned out a handful of activities for them to make this party memorable! We recommend setting up an Easter Egg hunt with personalized baskets for each participant. Make this easy for young kids by hiding treats with every egg they find! To amp up the fun, have an Easter Bunny Sack Hop Race- where every child wears a sack and hops to the finish line while wearing the most adorable bunny ears! Having an Easter Egg decoration station is a must, so make sure you have enough art supplies for the young ones. We recommend choosing Dabble which is India’s first sustainable, non-toxic, and natural crayon made in ergonomic shapes that easily fit the grubby hands of young kids! For some added fun, arrange for a face tattoo session for the kids, so that they have their faces painted with the most gorgeous pastel colors of the season! 

• Decor

What are Easter without the signature pastel decor and the famous Easter bunny? Make sure that you remind everyone that the theme of the party is pastel so that match the decor. You can have some bunny ears kept at the entrance so that when they enter the party they can wear one and enter. Look for pastel balloons and consider making a pastel balloon arch for the photo booth, or as the centerpiece of the party. Pastel streamers and pre-decorated Easter eggs kept at the corners of the venue will surely tie them together! Having the menu written on a Bunny Themed chalkboard will look extremely adorable and will be on point! Having little bamboo baskets by the side that will be later used by the kids for their Easter Egg Hunt is a cute addition to your venue. We also love these miniature bunny pieces that will be a great detailed decor piece for your party that the kids can take home later as a party favor. Last but not the least, you have to get these tiny Easter Egg Hatchimals Toys that are perfect as decor and as party favors for the attendees!

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The Musical Theme- The New Year is all about the sounds of laughter and glee that the joy of togetherness brings. Incorporate this theme into your next party by making it all about the sounds and music of the festival. Order all the Indian classics and if you have talented budding musicians at home, give them all the liberty to plan out the musical itinerary of the night that has to match the theme. Make it like a concert at home, make a makeshift stage, don your most glamorous saree or kurta, and jam to your favorite songs. Make a fun competition by playing the guess the song, or the singer game, and give everyone in the family a chance to let their inner singer live on the stage. We love these lights that will add some serious charm to your stage! To add to the music theme, check out these decorations!

The Backyard Party- An outdoor summer party is a fun idea especially if you have kids at home. It is also a great backyard party idea on a budget since it will include just the closest and your most favorite people. Start off your decor by lighting up the patio, or using some string lights to spruce up the patio furniture. For food, make sure you have a lot of finger food and snacks ready to go, and it will be cheaper to buy it in bulk. Be ready with a shade if it starts raining and keep the kids engaged with fun activities like letting them play with eco-friendly crackers under the parental guidance of course, or keep them busy in a fun art project which is New Year themed like finger painting or what the New Year represents to them!

The DIY Ugai Rangoli Party- What’s a Ugadi party without the rangoli? Take this opportunity to let your inner artist shine. Get rangoli supplies at home, and create a competition where the entire fam competes to create the biggest and the most eloquent rangolis. Team up and collaborate with the family members to create your own personal masterpiece at home. Since everyone will be busy creating these rangolis, make sure you have enough snack foods and drinks for refreshments to keep the spirit alive! We love these DIY Rangoli kits for your children!

Decorate Your Own Diya- New Year means welcoming the new light to your life. Bring some light and let the children bring in the iridescent illumination of tiny diyas dotted around the house. Make it a fun activity by including everyone in the fam, even the kids. The joy of having made your diya and decorating it all over the house will be unparalleled. Plus engaging your kids in creative activities like these is great for their brain development and finger dexterity. We love these adorable make-your-own diya sets for the entire fam! Tiny Diyas dotted around the home, decorated by the young children of the house, will be a perfect decor idea for the new year! 

A Floral Themed New Year Party- The pastel shades of fresh flowers from the market, the ephemeral charm of marigolds that is a staple fixture during any kind of festivity, the allure of jasmine, or the understated elegance of lilies, flowers have the ability to light up any household. Plan your New Year by adding some gorgeous flowers all over your living space that matches the color scheme of your house. We recommend light shades of lily and jasmine if you have a monochrome setting at your place, or a bright flush of marigold if your party is during the day. Don’t want to opt for fresh flowers for your party? We love this flower hanging that is sure to brighten up your party!

The post Here Are Some Fabulous Party Ideas To Welcome The Regional New Year With the Family! appeared first on Windmill Festival.

The Crib Is The Masterpiece– Never underestimate the importance of the crib. Sleep as we know is essential for newborns as they spend most of their first few months sleeping and growing. Sleep is essential to their cell repair, growth, weight gain, and brain and neuro-development, and a crib can help aid this process. Mostly, we have a basic idea of what a crib should look like. Secure and high from all sides, with fitted sheets and a protective framework. However, go the extra step and make sure that there is enough open space in the crib that gives your baby enough space to breathe. If you are not co-sleeping with your baby, it is best to attach an automated baby bassinet like Snoo that protects your baby, aids their breathing, and promotes better sleep! 

Diaper Station– A newborn automatically means that you are going to be buying a lot of diapers in the next few months! When decorating a newborn baby’s room it is often difficult to integrate something like a diaper station in your baby’s nursery. This is where it gets interesting- automated odor-free diaper disposals! Not only do they come in sleek design and color, but they also help make life easy for a new parent. You can easily have a dedicated shelf for diapers over your changing table, dispose of your diapers in the same room without having to worry about the funky odor. This also means that you do not have to venture outside the room frequently when your baby needs you for cleaning and changing! 

Sensory Toys– Newborns do not instantly see in color, instead this vision develops over time, however this development among others is a marker for milestones in brain development. There are certain things to keep in mind when decorating a newborn baby’s room to help aid their brain development. Make sure you have sensory toys hanging above their cribs, enough contrast colours to stimulate their brain, varying textured toys, and nibbles that they can hold on to for better hand-eye coordination and finger dexterity. 

The Rocking Chair– This is something that lasts you for a while and is a great addition when decorating a newborn baby’s room as you can play with the colors and finish to complement the nursery. This is also a great tool for one-on-one bonding time with the baby during feedings or when you are trying to get them to sleep. We all know that the gentle rocking motion is great to get newborns to sleep, however, this can also be a great asset and comforting to newborn mothers as they breastfeed. Choosing a rocking chair with proper lumbar support and cushioning that helps maintain posture during long feeding hours and makes you feel at ease is truly a great addition for both baby and parent! 

Feeding Station– Feeding time means spillovers, burping, changing and so much more. Because at this newborn stage, we have so many things at the nursery, sometimes it is easy to get lost and frazzled over the clutter! Although we cannot guarantee that raising a newborn will be mess-free, we can guarantee that some design changes can help make the process easier for you. When decorating a newborn baby’s room, make sure that you have a dedicated feeding station for your child- make sure that this station comes with a lot of shelves and compartments and if you can, make sure that you have a small sink in the nursery so that you can wash the feeding bottles and breast pumps if you are using one. How does this help you? Having a sink with a dedicated feeding station means that you won’t have to separate your baby’s bottles from the rest of your dishes in the house. Sometimes the soap that we use for the baby’s bottles are different so having a separate place for this can just remove any ounce of confusion and can help you minimize clutter wherever you can!

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