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Competitive tests (Macmillan, Olympiad, NTSE, ASSET)-info. and questions

mango_mama's blog, Sep 2, 2009 8:52 AM

Recently our family got exposed to the wonderful (I say) or slightly wicked (my husband says) world of “competitive” tests like the IAIS, Olympiad etc. and wanted to share our lear...

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Placenta PreviaIn placenta previa, the placenta (organ providing oxygen and nutrients from the mother to the baby) lies low in the uterus and covers (or partially covers) the cervix (narrow opening that connects...
8 skin care tips for pregnant womenPregnancy is a time when hormonal changes can change your skin significantly - from positive changes like "pregnancy glow" to negative ones like acne. Here are some tips on how you can help your...
Preparing young children to write - the foundational skillsWriting is an essential skill for all children, even in this age of email and SMS. Children learn to write at different ages with the capabilities varying anywhere from writing capital letters at...
Teaching children about strangersTeaching children about strangers is important as society gets busier and the world around us gets more dangerous. Here are some tips parents can use. Whenever you discuss this issue, be clear...
Toy room organization - Tips on how toToy room organization is a big challenge for parents, especially because kids these days have a large number of toys. Whether we organize the toys in a toy room or in a corner in the children's...
Dads - 10 ways to give Mom a break from the kidsOK, Dad, let's be honest. Doesn't mom need a break from all the things she does with the kids - Food, homework, keeping track of school events etc., Even if you cannot step into these tasks all...
BullyingBullying is a real problem in India and all over the world. Children of all ages can be subjected to bullying. This may come in many forms - from jokes and teasing with or without malicious intent...
Pretend play - importanceYoung children learn a lot through pretend play, By pretending that their doll is a firefighter or their hand is a tennis racquet or that their crayon box is a spacecraft going to the Moon, they...
When are you most fertile?Conceiving "naturally" does not mean leaving everything to chance. Understanding your body's fertility signals can help you conceive faster. The timing of ovulation is complex and can take some...
Helping your child reduce tension, stress and anxietyChildren also have deep emotions and often feel tension, stress and anxiety just like adults do. This is a worrying sign for their health in later life as these emotions contribute to significant...
Boards for school education in IndiaIndia has a large number of boards for schools, and sometimes this can be confusing. Here is a short guide on what these different boards are. Please give us your feedback in the...
Helping our children eat vegetables and fruitsAs parents, we all know the importance of having our children eat vegetables and fruits every day. However, we are also very familiar with our children's responses like "I don't like it", "Yuck",...
Tips to prepare for childbirthThese tips describe some activities that can help you prepare for labour, delivery and childbirth. Once you reach the third trimester, you should talk to your doctor about labour and...
Television and your childTelevision is often called the "one-eyed babysitter" by parents. Our kids seem to become calm, quiet, attentive in front of the television. Most importantly, it seems to parents like a load is...
The 6 commandments of parentingThere are a few things that are an absolute NO when we become parents. While kids bring loads of happiness and a sense of fulfillment in our lives, they also come with a list of do’s and don’ts....
Far from the madding crowdLet me relate our 3 day trip to Chikmagalur last summer. While Ooty and Mysore are well known haunts,Chikmagalur is more scenic and much quieter. It is a hill station ,about 5 hrs drive from...
How to get your child ready for school on time?Is your child "slow" in getting ready for school? Is the school van sounding their horn every day, outside your door? Are you always rushing out with your child leaving a half-eaten breakfast or...
"It's my choice. I can do what I want" - Common parent-child arguments and what to do...Your daughter asks you for something and you say that she cannot have it. Her response "It's my choice. I can do what I want" Typical example: "I want to eat my kheer before I eat lunch" What...
Cooking with KidsOf the many activities that can be done with kids, cooking is the easiest, given that every home will have a kitchen! The trick is to make it desirable and fun. The manner in which children are...
Should we "let them win all the time"?As parents we often play games and sports with our kids. These require skills, effort or luck for winning. And when the little one runs into trouble, we often contrive to let them win. We let them...
Epilepsy in children - Seizures, Causes, What to do, Treatment...Epilepsy is a disorder manifests itself in seizures (fits). What is epilepsy Epilepsy is the occurrence of multiple seizures (fits), but not caused by high fever or recent head/brain injury. ...
Trying to conceive - a guideNow that you are ready to try for a baby, here are some tips that will help Indian women conceive. Toss out your contraceptives & have frequent sex Start having unprotected sex. Spend quality...
Nrityagram (exploring Bangalore outskirts)One of our favorite family outings in Bangalore (with our 2 kids--5 and 8) is visiting Nrityagram (the dance village) and the Taj Kuteeram next to it. What Nrityagram is the dance school with...
Comfortable, stylish and easy-on-the-pocket maternity clothes for Indian mothersDuring pregnancy, you start feeling bloated and dowdy and dressing well can really pep you up. Dressing well during pregnancy helps both working women and women who work at home because all women...
Father-daughter bonding - advice for dadsBeing a father to a little baby daughter is often an awkward experience for some fathers. In our culture, men are often brought up be the unemotional stereotype and even if they grew up with...
Tumbling tots - Rough, physical playChildren often indulge in what parents consider to be rough, physical play - tumbling and rolling around, holding each other tight, screaming etc., As parents we often get concerned about whether...
How to talk with kidsNot just talking to them but talk with them. You can boost their communication skills and make them listen to you. Communication does not just mean just “talking”. Observe, Wait, and Listen -...
Exams for children - Tips for parentsWith examination time round the corner, it is common for parents too to feel the stress. So the 1st tip to all parents is - Don’t be stressed Your being stressed is not only bad for you but...
Resistance to antibioticsAntibiotics are among the greatest discoveries of human history and they are a miracle cure. However, there has been indiscriminate use of antibiotics resulting in the increasing occurrence of...
Ranganathittu - Birds, birds and more birdsRanganathittu is an awesome bird sanctuary near Srirangapatna. It is very small, and consists of small islands in the Cauvery, where birds nest. Though small, there are birds, birds, birds...
Selecting a paediatricianA paediatrician is part of a child's ecosystem. Due to the vital role they play, parents must select one carefully. To locate a paediatrician, ask for referrals from parents in Parentree groups,...
"It's not fair" - Common parent-child arguments and what to do about themYour son has been asked to do something or has been denied a request. His response "It's not fair". Typical example: You are about to go to meet your college friends and your son wants to go...
Computers and Internet - Preschool & KGPondered and fretted about when should your preschooler or KG child should first use the computer, what websites are appropriate, what computer games are okay. We have some pointers here to help...
How long does it take to conceive (become pregnant)?It can take a long time. Research shows that the average couple (under 35) has only a 20 to 30 percent chance of getting pregnant in any given menstrual cycle, as long as they have regular...
Massages for babiesIt is an old cultural tradition for Indian parents to massage their babies with natural oil. It is also a very beneficial one, if done right. Benefits of massaging Massaging increases the...
Moving to another city - helping your big kid copeYou have been handed over a transfer order in your office or you have accepted a new job in a new city. When you break this news at home, you will face a mixed bag of reactions coming from the...
Eating for two - How much more should I eat when I am pregnant?The extra energy that is required during pregnancy is only 300 kcal/day and any consumption above this will only add empty calories and weight to the mother. This is only about 15% more than usual...
Computers, Internet and children (Basic guidelines)Computers and the Internet are changing the way the world does things and are pervasive these days. Here is a guide that will help Indian parents tap the power of the computers and the net for...
Is your child being bullied?Bullying is a real problem in India and all over the world. Here are some tips on how Indian parents can recognize it, and address it. When should you suspect your child is being bullied? ...
Can I use household cleaning products during pregnancy? Is it safe?Exposure to mild cleaning agents is generally safe. But it’s a good idea to stay away from very strong fumes and harsh cleaning agents. For example, if the phenyl or disinfectant used in mopping...
How can parents use Multiple Intelligence?Multiple intelligence is a theory that postulates that children's cognitive profiles can be classified into eight kinds of intelligence - linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial,...
Dealing with whining childrenThere it is again, a high pitched whine from your child about "Why can't I have orange juice at night time" or "Why does my sister not have to take a shower now" or "Why do I have to do all this...
Strollers - Buying guideStrollers (often referred to as prams) can be a useful accessory for Indian parents. Here are some tips on how to buy a stroller. Types - Umbrella strollers This is a simple stroller which...
Teaching children to cope with a deathThe death of a near and dear person, whether family or friends, can impact children and may result in numerous questions from them, irrespective of age. Here are some tips on how Indian parents...
Tips for dad or the support person - labour and childbirthYou are going to be the critical resource for mother-to-be during labour and childbirth (or delivery) Here are some tips you will find useful. If you are taking childbirth classes and want...
When can my baby hear music during pregnancy?Listening to nice soothing music can have a calming effect on both mom and the baby inside her womb. Babies can usually hear sounds form the outside starting around the 20th week of the...
Eight men's health questions to ask when planning to have a babyAs couples prepare for pregnancy, it is easy to focus only on the woman’s health. However, there are several items that are critical for men also. The father's health also affects his fertility...
Children and bitingBiting by children is very shocking to parents. There are many reasons why children bite. Understanding them can help parents put an end to the biting. Experimental biting Children may bite...
Pre-schooler development - 30+ to 36 monthsYour child is now two-and-a-half years (30 months) old. Preschoolers reach a number of developmental milestone between 30 and 36 months. There is also very wide variance in when they reach...
Good table manners for childrenGood and proper table manners should be inculcated in children from an early age, so they become a habit. Here are some tips on table manners that you can get your children started on. Messy...
Crying babies - Why and what to do?Babies have only way of alerting you and that is crying. So they use this communication means to get the attention of parents for a variety of reasons. Here are some of the reasons they maybe...
Fish, dinosaur and stars (outing with kids in Bangalore)'Masti' and wonder in Cubbon Park and vicinity in Bangalore. Other than the park there other activities like the govt. aquarium, Visveswaraya museum with a fun dinosaur model and the Jawaharlal...
Drinking water during pregnancy - filtering, boiling, safety precautionsShort answer: Filter thee water, then boil it before consuming it during pregnancy. When you are pregnant, you are more aware and discerning about what you eat and drink in general and water is...
Computers and Internet - 6th to 8th standardDo you ponder and fret about what web activities are appropriate for your middle school going child (6th to 8th standards)? What if they bumped into undesirable adult web sites while researching...
What to do when your child hits others?Does your child hit other children or you or other people? Have you found yourself trying endlessly to stop the hitting? Here are some tips that may help. Frustration can lead to hitting Is...
Fun and easy playdates for preschoolers (Part 2 - Play time)You have now prepared for the playdate - scheduled it, have thought about it, talked about it with your child and have even set it up. So folks now get ready for a great time. Hoping you and your...
Teaching science and social studies - tips for making it more fun for young kidsYour young one hates to cram up his Science or EVS (Environmental Science) or Social Studies. You keep bemoaning that not much has changed from the time you were in school and these subjects were...
BedwettingMany children wet their bed involuntarily. This is very common in children under 5 years and is not a cause for concern. In a study conducted in Chandigarh, India for children between 3 - 10...
Twins (or multiples) - PregnancyCongratulations! You are carrying are a couple (or more) bundles of joy. A time of joy and also a time of special caring for you and your babies. Having a pregnancy with one baby causes enough...
Building empathy in childrenWhat is empathy? Merriam Webster says empathy is "the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another...
Help big kids improve their writing skillsWriting is not just about pushing a pen on paper or about good handwriting. It is about communicating clearly and thoughtfully. It is a very complex activity where a child has to put together a...
Children's art - cherish, decorate and shareYour prolific budding artists are at work. Great! It is so wonderful that they are exploring and being creative. By all means facilitate and encourage this creativity. But is your children’s...
Fostering fun, wit and humour (2 to 4 years)From the age of 2, children start developing the ability to talk and verbal humour starts coming into play. Parents will see new avenues where the child detects and expresses humour. By fostering...
Non-stress test (NST)This is not a routine test. A doctor will use this any time after 26-28 weeks for high-risk pregnancies to ensure that the baby is getting enough oxygen and is not in any kind of distress. This...
Getting organized for school admissions : Smart tipsThe school admissions season has started. You are trying to decide on an appropriate school for your child and then working on getting them admitted. Along with these twin missions of trying to...
See and hold Olive Ridley turtles in ChennaiThe Olive Ridley turtle's egg-laying and hatching season runs from January to April every year. A conservation group collects a lot of eggs and protects them till they hatch. When they hatch, the...
What to do when preschoolers (2-6 years) lie?So your little child has just started saying small phrases and responding to questions, and you hear some lies. What should you do? Change the way you ask the question Instead of asking a...
Fine and gross motor skillsWe often hear these terms as it relates to the development of babies, toddlers and preschoolers. In this article, we throw some light on these skills. Gross motor skills Gross motor skills are...
Playdates - What to do when children fight?Playdates for children are a great opportunity for children to interact and learn social skills. They are also a great way to bond with other parents. But what do you do when the children fight...
Piano classes for kids - a guideLooking at putting your child in a piano class? But are lost about how to find the right class, what to look for in the class, at what age should your child start learning the piano, what kind of...

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