Page 36 - Keralite Magazine _new 1 copy

KERALITE
lighted candle – a source of light - one that gives
hope, love, and peace to your children. The light
you emit will prevent your children from tripping on
the obstacles they could trip on otherwise. Parents
should also be like a mirror in exhibiting positive
values and norms that get reflected on, and
influences their children and guides them in the
right direction.
How can this be done? As a candle showing light, a
parent, along with the child’s pediatrician, must
ensure that in the kaumaram stage of life, from birth
to infancy, they must:
• Schedule regular well-child examinations
• Vaccinate as mandated by law and as per
protocol
• Provide generous parental love and nurturing
• Establish proper bed, nap and play time
routines
• Discipline – tempered with tough love
From toddlers to elementary school phase of
kaumaram, ensure:
• Good schooling routine
• Involvement with PTA
• Nutritious snacks, fruits and other snacks only
• Well-child examinations/vaccinations
• Group peer interaction/quality family time
• No exposure to electronics until at least 18
months of age
• Discipline – again, tempered with tough love
Continue to emit radiant light from your candle and
make sure you continue to reflect positive values in
your mirror during the vital yauvanam stage of your
child’s life. During their middle school years ensure: the person you can be proud of to say… now, that’s
• Continued well-child examinations
• Awareness of body and emotional changes
from puberty
2018
• Development of a broad base of friendships
with diverse groups
• Open communication about school and friends
• Awareness of exposure to drugs, alcohol and sex
• Discussions on bullying/awareness of warning
signs
• Discipline and tough love
The evolution of children through the yauvanam
stage and their ascendancy to high school years is
the most crucial in a child’s growth and future
success. Parents must ensure:
• Empathetic two-way communication
• Non-judgmental/voicing opinions and concerns
constructively
• Awareness of physical emotions and sexuality
issues
• Understanding of bullying/teasing/other pressures
• Understanding of depression/anxiety issues
• Look out for substance abuse, alcohol, drugs,
vaping, JUULing etc.
• Firm discipline – tough love
• Vaccinations
• Issues of nutrition/look for signs of eating
disorders, anorexia, bulimia
• Attempt to decrease stress - provide
counselling if needed
While the phases of kaumaram and yauvanam may
look daunting to parents, just know that it is only
through an active participation in your child’s life,
will it be possible for you and your pediatrician to
mold a child’s life so that they may grow up to be
MY child
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