On children’s day, Friends Playschool & Kindergarten conducted a carnival for kids (aged 3 to 7) and their parents. When the skies opened up early on the morning of 13, it seemed like the Children’s day carnival planned for Nov 14 was going to be washed out, but the school staff decided that even if it did rain, they were going to turn it into a rain dance party. In the end they worried for nothing- the sun shone, the children came not knowing what to expect…and were kicked by the carnival atmosphere of the morning.

They honored Nehru in so many small ways- the rose, his favorite flower was a motif that popped up in the coloring contest, the pinning the rose contest, and the badges. the magic show featured a birthday cake and a the memory quiz was based on the storytelling session that focused on anecdotes about Nehru. For the older kids there was a ‘sensational’ stall for them to guess objects in a box by just feeling…some were super quick. The parents were not left bored sitting on the sidelines- they were made to sit up and take notice – the school staff presented a challenge to them- watch a demo of how to make a Nehru cap and produce the same in a size to fit their child’s head. Surprisingly, (or not so surprisingly) only 3 managed to complete the task. Just goes to show you that parents too need to train their listening muscle. The do up your own cup cake and the zenzerro cookie, donut and chocolate stand was a super hit as was the tattoo bar and body shop. The kids had a blast and the school staff did too when they saw their delight.

We need more such activity workshops and events for kids in Trivandrum. Kudos to Friends team for organizing such a fun day for children on their special day 🙂

“Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh the thinks you can think up if only you try” ~ Dr. Seuss

Children are naturally curious and imaginative. As parents, you need to provide them the opportunity to be the best innovators they can be – encourage your children to think out of the box, give them creative outlets and chances to experiment and inspire them by showing the examples of children who have applied their creativity to generate wonderful ideas. Like Atheerth Chandran from Trivandrum, who is truly a serial innovator. Atheerth says he had a passion for trying out new things right from childhood. He got fascinated with electronics when he attended the basic electronics vacation course at Jawahar Balbhavan in Trivandrum. Atheerth says his parents were very supportive and always encouraged him to pursue his interests.

A turning point in his life was his meeting with Mr. T.J James, Director of Innoaction India, an organization that promotes innovation & creativity at all levels. He motivated Atheerth to submit his project for Ignite, an annual national competition to harness the creative and innovative spirit of school children. Atheerth’s innovation, an Automatic Blade Swinging (ABS) Ceiling Fan won him the IGNITE National Award 13, organized by National Innovation Foundation, Government of India.

In a normal fan, the three blades are set to the upper base of the fan in 180 degree angle. In the case of this new generation automatic blade swinging ceiling fan, when 250 Volts AC passes through the two coils of the fan it spins. The spinning power helps the fan’s blades to swing upward. While switching off the fan, spinning power decreases. As a result, the blades swing downward. Use of this fan is that both sides of the blades can be easily cleaned, which is tough in the case of a normal fan. In this fan, a door hinge is used for the upward and downward movement.

Here is a short video about this innovation.

Here are some of the other innovations by Atheerth.

1.Laser light Remote controlling devices

Operate electrical appliances with the help of laser light

2. Stun Gun (safety device for women)

A device which helps women to defend themselves

3.Computerized Remote Controlling Appliances

Control home appliances using laptops and desktop computers

4. Automatic Bird Trap

When a bird enters the cage; the cage door automatically closes

5.Remote Controlling of Crackers

Using a toy walkies-talkie wireless set, we can control fire works; safely from a limited distance

6. Mechanical Power to Electrical Power.

Using an orbitrek, we can generate electricity while exercising

7. Remote controlling School Bell.

Using cell phones, we can operate school bells from a distance

8. Harm Less Short Range Gun.

9. Safety Switch.

Turning on a switch with wet hand can cause an electric shock, but this switch will never cause a shock, even when the hand is wet with salt water.

10. House Security System.

When a person tries to unlock our house, we will get an alert in our cell phone. Also, the thief will get an electric shock through the lock. The balcony lights and security lights will also turn on.

Atheerth, wish you good luck with your future innovations! May you be a source of inspiration for all our children….

Get your event listed and get online registrations from your guests through schoolkutti.com

It’s easier than ever to promote your event with www.schoolkutti.com. You can have your event listed on www.schoolkutti.com by writing to us. Your guests can then register online through our event registration form, and you will be notified of their registration. All of the information that you request from your guests will be automatically included in the registration details. This spares time and effort for both you and your guests. Your guests need not confirm attendance by phone or by email anymore. They only have to complete your form and press Send. This service is provided absolutely free till December 31, 2013. Sounds good? Write to us today to avail this offer!

Check out the event registration page that we have provided for the Children’s day celebration event at Friends Playschool and Kindergarten.
http://schoolkutti.com/preschools/pre-schools-event-details.php?id=1

http://schoolkutti.com/events/register-for-event.php?eventId=1

Come, register online and join the fun.

Whats there for kids @Trivandrum this week?

If your kids are aged between 3 and 7, visit Friends Playschool and Kindergarten at 10 a.m.on Thursday, November 14 for a Fun Bonanza. Storytelling, quizzing, splashing out with paints and colours to kick off the day and a tattoo bar and magic show thrown in to give that extra zing to the morning! Surprise gifts and unusual contests are on the cards for the kids and parents.
http://schoolkutti.com/announcements/schoolkutti-announcements.php?id=27

You can also visit Ambrosia Kowdiar between 12 PM and 7 PM on 14th Nov for participating in their children’s day celebrations. There will be platform for singing and dancing, free lucky draw contest and 50% discount for Kids’ Meals. Hurry, registration is free for kids below 8 years.
http://schoolkutti.com/announcements/schoolkutti-announcements.php?id=29

Jawahar Balabhavan is conducting a drawing competition for children at 8:30 AM on 14th November. For more details, you can contact 2316477.
http://schoolkutti.com/announcements/schoolkutti-announcements.php?id=28

Sruthi S J of Saraswathi Vidyalaya will lead the would lead the rally and public meeting on November 14 as part of the children’s day celebrations organized by Govt. of Kerala on November 14 as the Children’s Prime Minister.
http://schoolkutti.com/inthespotlight/schoolkutti-inthespaotlite.php?id=22

If you are a hard core Hrithik Roshan fan and your kids love masked super heroes, you can unwind with Krish3. Another option is the new Malayalam movie for kids ‘Philips and the Monkey Pen’ which is supposed to be a charming movie that appeals to both adults and kids, according to the reviews.

They are buzzin’ from 10 a.m.on Thursday, November 14 at Friends Playschool and Kindergarten. It’s going to be a Fun Bonanza for anyone between the ages of 3 and 7. Storytelling, quizzing, splashing out with paints and colours to kick off the day and a tattoo bar and magic show thrown in to give that extra zing to the morning! Surprise gifts and unusual contests are on the cards for the kids and parents. Only limited seats available, so be sure to call Sreedevi- 9446303085 or Susan-9995120384 to book your place. For more details visit www.friendsplayschool.com What do you say people- are you up for some FUN?

There’s a lot going on in little city we live in, and parents are always looking for the best ways to spend weekends with their kids. So every week, we’ll pick our not-to-miss events.

If your children are interested in sports, you can go to the photo-video sports exhibition on the life of the athlete P.T.Usha, incorporating events from her childhood to the establishment of Usha School of Athletics. This is on at Chandrasekharan Nair Stadium till sunday.

For chess and challenge lovers, Anand Chess Academy is organising an Open Chess Tournament & Problem Solving Competition on Saturday, 2nd November at YMCA, Statue, Thiruvananthapuram. Check out http://chesstvm.wordpress.com/

For space enthusiasts, the movie ‘Gravity’ is definitely worth a watch. It does make you feel like you really are traveling amongst the stars.

Hope you are enjoying shopping for fire crackers at http://www.malapadakkam.com

Have a very Happy Diwali, enjoy with friends and family 🙂

Dr. Anish N R K (Psychiatrist and Mental Health Expert with interest in Child Psychiatry) gave a vey informative talk in Doordarsan Malayalam at 6.30 pm on October 24, the topic was “kuttikal kallam parayumpol….”. He also responded to parenting queries posed by the callers.

He mentioned that it is important for parents to teach children the value of telling the truth than to punish them for minor misdeeds. Setting rules within the family, praising children for their honesty, taking time to listen to your child and gaining their trust are important ways to tackle the problem. As a parent, being honest makes you the best role model for your child.

He also added that rarely, lying is an indication of an emerging mental illness like conduct disorder. Conduct disorder is characterized by hostile and occasional physically violent behavior and a disregard for the feelings of others. Children with this mental disorder also exhibit cruelty, from pushing and hitting, hurting others, picking fights, theft, use of drugs and so on. In such cases, counseling and other medical intervention might be required.

The student leaders for the Children’s Day celebrations were selected based on their performance in the Malayalam elocution competition held at the Kerala State Child Welfare Council’s ‘Varnolsavam’.

S.J. Sruthi, a Class IV student of Saraswathy Vidyalaya, was elected as the children’s ‘Prime Minister’ as she won the first prize in the elocution competition. She will lead the rally and the public meeting that will be organised by the council on Children’s Day on November 14.

M. Vedavyas Manu, Class VI student of the Niramankara Mannam Memorial Higher Secondary School, will be ‘President’. A.S. Nandana, a Class VI student of the Nirmala Bhavan Higher Secondary School will play the role of ‘Speaker’.

Navamy S. Biju, a class IV student of the Cotton Hill Lower Primary School, has been chosen to deliver the welcome speech and S. Anjeena from Carmel Girls Higher Secondary School will propose the vote of thanks on this occasion.

Here is a chance for our children to make it big – a golden Opportunity for children of Kerala to anchor on Asianet News on November 14, Children’s Day. To mark the occasion of Children’s day, Asianet is providing a platform for kids below the age of 15 to exhibit their talent in hosting a show. Children who are fluent in Malayalam and are confident can apply for this, by uploading their biodata and photo in the Asianet News web site. Selected students will be invited to auditions conducted by Asianet and the final screening will decide the winners who will go on to address over half a billion people watching the telecast.

For more details, check out
http://www.asianetnews.tv/childeditor/

Is winning a trip to NASA through a creative competition too good to be true? If you are a student of grade 4 to 9 and you enjoy the challenging world of science and mathematics, then here is a competition that is bound to interest you. This is a multi-level competition which involves experiential learning. It familiarizes students with various concepts that are conducive to scientific learning and improves their investigative, analytical and critical thinking abilities. A team of up to 4 students (grade 4 to 9) can participate by registering on-line by entering team details and paying a registration fee. Participants will be shortlisted after each round. The winner/winners after all the rounds will get to chance to visit The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA); all expenses covered by Mexus Education Pvt. Ltd.

Check out www.ikenscientifica.com for more details