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Child mental health crisis shock I was shocked and distressed to read about the looming national child mental health crisis in your latest cover story (PW March). Over the past two years, the pandemic has severely disrupted family lives and children’s education. Children have had to face unprecedented challenges adjusting to the new normal of school closures, online classes, and lockdowns. Most of all, the lack of physical interaction with friends and teachers and outdoor play has caused children mental trauma and anguish. Schools, colleges and all educational agencies should make extra efforts to identify and counsel children suffering mental health problems. Many children are also likely to experience trouble readjusting to normative schooling and the stress of catching up with studies and learning loss. In particular youngest children will take a long time to learn socialisation skills and adjust to early childhood education. Rima Choudhry, Pune Confronting learning loss challenge Thanks for publishing an informative parenting magazine. I am a primary school teacher very worried about the huge learning loss children have suffered over the past two pandemic years. Though children attended online classes, I observed that many were not interested and motivated to learn. They also lost the habit of writing by hand, as all learning and assignments were computer-based. Now since schools have reopened, parents and teachers are finding it challenging to help children make good learning loss. Children are also stressed about the increased academic load and expectations. I agree that parents and teachers must also focus on children’s mental well-being, not solely academic success. Meena Khatiyar, Mumbai Indian cuisine treasures Thank you for the Recipes featuring drumstick leaves aka moringa. I remember we had a moringa tree in our backyard, and my grand mom used to often include drumstick leaves in her cooking. Our elders have known the benefits of moringa for several decades. But now because the Western world has discovered its medicinal and nutritional benefits, it’s become a superfood. There are many other such treasures in Indian cuisine. For instance, Indian spices such as turmeric, ginger, cumin, cardamom, dalchini and jeera have many health benefits. PW needs to highlight more recipes which use local food ingredients. Our children live in a world where it’s become normal to consume packaged foods. As parents we need to make the effort to ensure they eat home-cooked fresh food. Junk food should be the exception, not norm. Vashista Vaidya, Bengaluru Web info please I read the March issue of ParentsWorld for the first time and was very impressed with the high-quality editorial mix. Congratulations! I request you to also include a page on the latest internet resources and mobile apps that are useful to parents and children. There’s a wealth of information on the worldwide web and a reviews page written by an expert will help parents choose the best online educational/entertainment resources for children. Maya Mathur, Delhi Useful birthing plans advice I’m expecting my second child and was intrigued by your story on birth plans (PW…