5 Things to take care of this Monsoon!

Posted On June 17, 2017 By Webmaster In Mount Litera Zee School /

The suspense is finally over as the Monsoons arrive on time and the country heaves a collective sigh of relief.

Such is our dependence on the annual rainfall that any shortfall has far reaching consequences on agriculture, trade and life in general.

However, the rains also bring with them their own set of challenges, especially to parents who have to get their children ready for school. And then there are other issues to take care of too as rains put normal life out of gear. Today we will take a look at 5 important things to pay attention to during the rains.

Water: This is a top priority as we become vulnerable to water-borne diseases during the monsoons. Make sure you do not drink water from unknown sources.
Food: Say no to street food as the risk of food contamination is high--stick to home-cooked food. When you cook make sure to wash vegetables and fruits thoroughly.
Safety: Falling branches, and severed power lines pose a great danger, especially to children. Avoid going to such places and never touch a fallen wire.
Flooding: Flooded roads are a no-no too as they may have open manholes lurking underneath. Besides, flood water is highly polluted and may result in you getting a skin infection.
Health: Take good care of your physical health. If you happen to get wet, get out of the wet clothes as soon as you can and drink a cup of hot beverage. As mosquitoes become a menace during the rains, make sure you protect yourself against them.

We at M LZS urge our students to enjoy the rains, but we also want you to pay attention to safety aspects we just discussed.

5 questions to ask the teacher during the Parents -Teacher Meeting

Do we treat the Parent-Teacher(P-T) meetings with the kind of importance they deserve or do we parents treat them as something we are expected to put in an appearance at least once a year?

Children have impressionable minds, and it is important to handle them with utmost care and the P-T meetings are a great way to assess a child’s progress in a non-intrusive manner.

The P-T meetings serve as a bridge between parents and teachers and help them to form a formidable team with a common mission: to gain insights into a child’s progress, not limited to just the academics but also their overall development.

Given the importance of the event and since teachers understand their students best, we present a list of question you may want to ask his/her teacher when you attend the next P-T meeting:

Does my child lack in social skills: Lack of social skills in children should be treated as a greater concern than a lack of success in academics because it is usually a sign of an underlying problem that needs to be tackled as a matter of priority.

Is there a sudden marked change in his/her behaviour: Teachers usually notice a sudden change in behavior in children that even parents often fail to notice. The change could be a result of the trauma your child is being subjected to, but suffering in silence.

What’s my child particularly good at: Ask the teacher about what your child is particularly good at and also not so good at. To turn your child’s talents into opportunities, you need to plan well and it’s a good idea to plan ahead.

Is my child doing justice to his/her natural talent: Every child is gifted, but it is also important that your child understands the importance of hard work. The teachers at the PT meetings will give you an unbiased assessment to act on.

What values does the school stand for: Being totally academically oriented may not be enough to help your child become the the morally and ethically sound person all parents want their child to be. A discussion with teachers on the subject is always reassuring.

The last point may well be the single most important question you may want to ask the teachers and the school management because in an age of constant technological innovations and automation, it is a good idea to get your children to focus on soft skills rather than hard skills.

Soft skills are technology-agnostic and prepare your children to be more confident about their abilities and also hone their life skills. And, that, is what getting a good education is about.

Top 5 things to do before the academic year starts!

Posted On June 3, 2017 By Webmaster In Child Development, Mount Litera Zee School, Parenting /

The number one thing on the to-do list for every student is of course to get themselves reconciled with the fact that the summer vacations are coming to an end or have already done so in some cases.

All good things must come to an end and the summer holidays are no exception. We all had great fun and it is time to begin our academic journey all over again!

Banish all thoughts of the good times we all had in the summer holidays and stop trying to speculate on how the new academic year will pan out.

It is time to cheer up and welcome a brand new school year with enthusiasm. Just think of the reunion with your friends and the things you can’t wait to tell them. Well begun is half done, is what they say--get a head start, and you will be alright is what they are trying to tell us.

On that positive and optimistic note, let us wrap our heads around the things we can do before the academic year is upon us.

Start on a clean slate: There is something refreshing about starting anew. Clear away the old clutter on your desk to make way for the new. However, recycle and reuse what you can. Donate what you don’t need.

Create a routine: Good students usually have a simple routine in place; they pay close attention in class and revise and fine tune what they have learnt the same day. It’s time to create your own schedule.

Set personal goals: Learning a new language, participating in debates or helping out others with studies are some of the extracurricular activities you can pursue this academic year.

Take on more responsibility: Make a promise to yourself that you will help your parents and siblings in whatever little way you can.

Looks like you are all ready now and can’t wait for the school to reopen.

We at MLZS feel the same about having our dear students back.

Here’s wishing you a great year ahead!

WHAT DID OUR PARENTS DO TO US??

Posted On May 27, 2017 By Webmaster In Behaviour, Child Development, Family, Mount Litera Zee School, Parenting /

ALAS! Used clothes, used toys, used cycles and used books of our older siblings!!

But......What did it teach us??

It’s not mine nor yours....it’s OURS !

We learnt to share & care..... That one chocolate from a friend’s B’day had to wait till the school ended to find its way to the two mouths! What else did it teach us??

To value our things...because it had to be passed on to the younger sibling, .......................or because it used to be the treasure of the older one.

We learnt the value of money...

We learnt to Reduce &Reuse... without anyone teaching us that. Learnt to connect with our family & treasure the things we use.

We learnt to MINIMIZE and still be HAPPY!!!

WHAT ARE WE DOING TO OUR CHILDREN??

Hey !! We provide them with all the luxuries.

New clothes, new toys ,new books, new gadgets! What do they learn??

This is mine and that is yours !

What else????

Use & throw because new things for new beginnings! Result??

Burden on Mother Earth....and mother-father!!

We try to MAXIMIZE their comfort .... But do they ever learn to be satisfied??

- Praseela Vimal

Head Mistress(Secondary)

HSR Branch

WHAT ARE WE DOING TO OUR CHILDREN?

Posted On May 20, 2017 By Webmaster In Behaviour, Child Development, Family, Parenting /

We were waiting for our food to be served in a restaurant when I noticed a toddler refusing to eat her food in our neighbouring table. Her parents addressed the issue immediately by handing over a mobile phone to her. The rest of the meal was taken care with the child happily watching the videos.
This is the scenario in many households today. Dora, the explorer and Doremon are the companions of our children on the dining tables. This habit formed at a young age continues through teenage and later, in our busy lives, we tend to multitask while we have our food. Various studies show that we need to be mindful while eating our food. Why is this so? What are we doing to our children?

An entire field of study called Neurogastronomy exists which is about understanding how the senses work together to make the foods that we eat beneficial to our body.

Sight - Our first experience with food is what we see on the plate. Sight even changes the way the food tastes when we eat it.

Touch – Texture can change the way the food tastes. While soft textures bring out sweeter, creamier notes, rough textures make a dish saltier and crunchier.

Sound – We not only eat with our tongues, but we also eat with our ears. It is very important to listen to the chewing sound of the food we eat.

Smell – Smell is the sense that is closely tied to taste as we smell the food while we are chewing it. We may not want to eat the food that does not smell good.

Food that appeals to all our senses is better assimilated by our bodies. No-watching-while-eating also leads to family meal times which strengthen the bond between parents and their children. Hence, it’s time for us to reconnect with our senses, with our food and ultimately, with each other.
The next time you sit down to have dinner, try to think about how all your five senses are involved. The more sensory reactions you can name, the better the food will taste, guaranteed.

- Anitha Shankar
Headmistress (Primary)
MLZS, HSR Branch

''BOOKS ARE THE WINDOWS TO THE WORLD"

Posted On May 13, 2017 By Webmaster In Behaviour, Child Development, Family, Parenting, Storytelling /

Really? Is it true? Yes, dear friends ... it is a truth indeed!

Whenever you read a good book, somewhere in the world a door opens to allow in more light.

Tell me, how many of us have the secret desire to travel the whole world and see how big this world is? Yes, you are right. Most of us. Then start reading a book and see how it enlarges your world. You are never alone when you're reading a book. Have you ever felt it when you are reading your favorite book? When you are relaxing… sinking down in the sofa... slowly… just like a movie fade out... that your real world is evaporating and you are alone inside the world of the story of your book... living the life of the story? Isn't that our most favorite feeling?

We can see an entire different world when we indulge in reading books. Where else could you meet unknown people, live their lives, stay in their cities and houses in far distant countries or smell the soil of some beautiful village when smelling the page of a fresh book, see people from other parts of the world where you never have been, and feel that their hearts are no different than us filled with love and emotions. Where else can you have their experiences of lives which helps us to grow up, gain more, learn more, and see the values of our lives?

Still need reasons to read books? Here is the best one - we have only one life which is already filled with our commitments. So if we wish to see more and do something more in this world, books are the fairy godmothers who can grant our wishes. Open a page and whoooosh - see a whole new world. It has been said "A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The one who never reads, lives only once”. So let’s open one window to this world through books to live our lives to the fullest.

Deepti Chaudhary, Parent of Richa Chaudhary (Grade 8)

MLZS, HSR Branch

Happiness is a state of mind

Posted On May 6, 2017 By Webmaster In Child Development, Creativity, Family, Mount Litera Zee School, Parenting /

“Happiness is always a choice. I have to create my own good fortune. So look for the ways to be happy always”.

This is the quote I have written on the front page of my diary. When I wrote this, I wrote it to myself…. in my mind. What is the main aim in everyone’s life? What everyone wants? What everyone seeks for? What everyone longs for? What everyone have in themselves? What is the ultimate cause and effect of all our deeds?

H A P P I N E S S ……

We all find solace of happiness in different things. Happiness means to us in different ways like family, money, friends, loneliness, books, music to name a few. But they are all temporary happiness. Long term happiness comes from our decision to stay happy throughout the day irrespective of the people or the situation around us. Why to fill our mind with the people who hold us back from our happiness or who bring us down. Instead be mindful and fill the mind with those people who inspire us and motivate us. That will remove negativity from us and will make us much happier.

Happiness is not determined by what is happening around us, but rather what is happening inside us. We all depend on others to gain happiness, but the truth is, it comes from within. If something or someone upsets us, it means we are allowing ourselves to the situation/person to ruin our happiness. But if we don’t let the situation to dominate us we can stay happy as happiness is the state of mind. I would like to end this blog with a wonderful quote….

“I am determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I may find myself. For I have learned that the greater part of our misery or unhappiness is determined not by our circumstances but by our disposition” – Martha Washington.

Prema Vijay

Pre-Primary Co-ordinator

MLZS, Electronic City

Role of Value Education in Reinforcing Moral and Social Values

Posted On April 29, 2017 By Webmaster In Child Development, Family, Mount Litera Zee School /

“Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make man a more clever devil.” – CS Lewis

As the 21st century children seem to be smarter than ever, the importance of a value-based education has become a necessity like never-before. Technology has crept into Education and has opened infinite windows to information. The young minds are now exposed to the ocean of thoughts and ideas, without boundaries. In the light of this exposure, educating children on their values have become the need of the hour.

Although Value education has become the buzz word in our present day curriculum, it had always been a vital part of the education system from ancient times. The Vedas, Puranas and Upanishads have been the source of teaching values during those days. The Gurukul system of education brought students from all strata of society together, teaching them the essence of indiscrimination, harmony and to lead a pious life. In fact, the Gurukul system followed the Methodology of teaching/ Education through values.

But, the future generations have moved into a turmoil of globalization, where the drastic shift in our socio-economic conditions has influenced every aspect of human life, relationships and values. As the later generations move forward towards a fast-paced, highly ambitious and success oriented lifestyle, a global dearth of values is noticed in today's youngsters.

Value Education is the most essential tool which would inculcate higher moral and social ideals in a child. This, as an integral part of the education system in a child's life, can build a strong character for his/her own future as well as for the society, of which he is an integral part.

It leads to a vital point that the teaching of values cannot just be achieved though stories, role plays, presentations and seminars. Values have to be lived by us each moment to teach them to our children. The responsibility of teaching values is often shouldered by the schools/education system. On the contrary, the child's first teachers are his/her parents. The first few years of childhood are mostly spent at home, imitating and observing the parents and family members. Those are also the most crucial years for receiving the essence of values. So, family and schooling/education needs to go hand-in-hand in order to teach the future generation to lead an ethical life. The influence of the people with whom they live and share their life goes a long way to demonstrate the importance of living their lives with these values.

What else can be a non-perishable asset that we can gift to our future generations other than teaching them the Right Values of Life!! After all, the Maths and Science that I learnt in school is mostly forgotten, but the moral values learnt from my grandma's stories and Moral Science books have made me the person who I am

“You lit the lamp of values in my heart, which leads me through the path of righteousness, in the darkest hours of my life.”

Ms. Shreerupa Dutta

Teacher (Grade 2)

Horamavu Branch

Article on Happiness

Posted On April 24, 2017 By Webmaster In Child Development, Mount Litera Zee School, Storytelling /

“If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands (clap clap), if you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands (clap clap), if you’re happy and you know if and you really want to show it, if you’re happy and you know it clap your hands.”

This is a song that we were taught in kindergarten and it still brings a smile to my lips and a sweet rhythm to my soul. Happy!

If you're a human being, I am pretty much sure, you want to be happy. What is happiness for you? In the U.S., there is a minor use of the term to mean luck (“That was a happy accident.”), but generally happiness refers to an individual’s positive emotional state.

According to Wikipedia, ‘Happiness’ is a mental or emotional state of well-being defined by positive or pleasant emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy.

The movie ‘Sound of Music’ featured a famous song ‘My favorite things’. In this musical, the lyrics to this song are a reference to things Maria (the character) loves, such as "whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens". These are the things she selects to fill her mind with, when times are bad and when she is unhappy.

I like the things Maria chose, surprisingly, it wasn’t money, new clothes, a big house, a whopping bank balance and fancy cars, although, I am sure that these days, these are the things that would make us happy and would probably be on our list of favorite things.

Okay, so for one long moment, I would want you to think about the ‘what if’ questions, for e.g. what if you didn’t get the morning doze of your nourishing beverage or time to be with friends, time to heal someone with your words or actions, didn’t have your children / or young ones running around you, sharing their little stories, didn’t have the sweet aroma of your mom’s / wife’s home-cooked food, or your spouse telling you about their accomplishment at work or at home, a peaceful nap, or that much awaited weekend, family time, or just the hand over your forehead when you are desperately trying to relax or calm yourself? Can these small trivial things be replaced for the big important things? Wouldn’t these small little things make you just as happy or may be a tad bit happier, irrespective of whether or not we have the big items in our life that we struggle for all our life. Aren’t these small little things less expensive or free of charge most of the time? Off-course, it does cost us our time, however, aren’t we spending so much of our time worrying about the big items on our list?

Well said! So let me come back to my question, “What is happiness for you?

No matter what things (big materialistic ones or the small trivial ones) you choose to make you happy, I am going to help you choose the right disposition, the right attitude, to create the positive emotional state that will bring a smile to your face. And for our reference and ease, let’s call it, ‘The Feel Happy’ factors. So here are a few of the ‘Feel Happy’ factors that if practiced can help us achieve our happy disposition.

Look for two positive things in every situation – chronic complaining is not a sign of happy people. Fault finders are easy to find, let us try being people who appreciate and motivate others.
Feel proud of who you are, no matter how little or how much you have accomplished in life – give yourself a pat on the back. Don’t be overly critical.
Engage in a passion or a hobby, that doesn’t involve whipping out a piece of plastic, or cash. Live your life investing in your mental and physical growth, like reading, cooking, biking, a sport with kids, after all anything brings satisfaction without a debt.
Be addicted to the wellbeing of your family – allow more time with your loved ones, if your child is passionate about an academic subject, spend time with them, trying to understand how they learn, what excites them. Remember once your kids get older and wiser, you will crave this time with them. Live this time with them now.
The past is in the past – Do you remember your childhood? That first bad fall from the bicycle, that injured your legs or hands, the first time you failed a test in school, the first beating you got from your parents, the first heartbreak, the first appraisal that went bad, that first deceit, and the list is endless, so I am guessing, that if you are still alive and reading this, you are pretty much okay and survived everything from your past, and I also believe that you not just survived, but you are doing pretty good. So the point I’m trying to make is, ‘If you are doing pretty good, then why you still lugging on the baggage from the past? You are already a winner, because you SURVIVED!’ - According to Psychology Today, there are four ways to cope with regret, failures of the past (1) learn from mistakes but don’t dwell, (2) if nothing can be changed about the situation, to let it go, (3) make sure too much blame is not being undertaken, and(4) reframing the situation more positively.
Look forward to your future – Most people love being worried, if not about the past then about the future, there are very few souls who say, “I can wait to grow old”, “I can’t wait for life to surprise me”. Everyone has problems, the rich, the poor, the short, the tall, the wise, the naïve, the differently abled, the healthy, just about everyone, what we don’t understand is, it’s not the problems that we should be worried about, it is the way we will handle it, that should concern us. Happiness is a choice, it’s a gift, and we have got it, free of charge. It is in the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, in the smiles we share, it’s on that pat that we get on our back, it is on the faces we see, it is in the love we hold so fondly, it is in the hope of what tomorrow will bring, the gifts we give away. So enjoy the beautiful simple things in life and experience them fully – Be present – Be happy!
Forgive easily – its simpler to hold grudges, sulk, hate, loathe, detest, abuse, be negative, be angry etc right? If the answer is yes, then it should be fair, that if someone is hurt by you, they should treat you the same way, which is to hold a grudge against you, make faces at you, hate you, loathe you, detest your very presence, abuse you, be angry with you constantly? If not, then start forgiving people, so that they can start forgiving you, don’t carry needless weights on your shoulders. Carry the bag that spreads love and happiness. It is a lighter weight to carry around.
Count your blessings and be a blessing – Make it a point to say thank you to the universe every night for the simple fact that you are alive and you are home safe and your family is safe. Thank the universe for recycling your energy, your love, your determination, your smiles, your positive attitude, your helpful nature, your happiness, and giving you the same stamina and energy to face a new day with its new challenges. Next, teach your family to do the same thing.
Sharing is caring – Happiness is squared when shared. Share it, not just with family, but anyone who comes your way. Try it, it’s simple!

HAPPINESS IS SIMPLE! MAKE THIS CHOICE TODAY! YOU WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE, IF YOU STAND WITH A SMILE, IN THE MIDST OF CONCERNS!

So here is my question once again, just rephrased – So if happiness is simple and its free, won’t you go out there and share your happiness with others?

-Regina Lobo

Enrichment Co-Ordinator

Samsidh MLZS Horamavu Branch

Health and Happiness

Posted On April 15, 2017 By Webmaster In Child Development, Family /

The ground work for all Happiness is Health.

Health sometimes cannot be a choice but happiness is a choice we can make.
We are beyond the power of changing the way we look but we can change the way we think and feel. Health and Happiness can be worked together, it is not easy because health and Happiness are the sides of the same coin and one cannot work without the other. When things are good we are happy and when things are not like we want we are unhappy, health can make us feel good and at times make us feel miserable when we don't have a good health .
Everyone wants to be healthy but sometimes our habits and sometimes when we refuse to let go the things that make us sad can make us very unhealthy. It gatherers and bounces back as a result of being unhappy and unhealthy.

So the secret of being happy and healthy is accepting where you are in life and making the most out of every single day. We need to choose Happiness because we need good health. If we have Health we probably will be happy and if we have Health and Happiness, we have all what we need.
Happiness is the Highest form of Health.

- Priti Kapur Prabu

Mother of Aparna (Grade 8)

MLZS, HSR Branch

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