Mailbox

Challenging to manage new-borns

I am mother to a one-year-old baby girl. Your story on the importance of sleep in infancy was an eye-opener (PW November). It’s amazing to learn that it’s during sleep that crucial brain and physical development happens. Your suggestions to improve infants’ sleep were excellent.

As a new mom, I am struggling to make sense of the rapid changes happening in the early years. Also it’s very challenging to comfort infants when they are unwell. Please pub­lish more stories about how parents should manage new-borns especially in terms of health and well-being.

Simi Deepak

Mumbai

Timely & relevant advice

I have always believed that the Indian education system kills children’s creativity. Your cover story ‘Unlock­ing children’s inherent creativity’ (PW November) confirmed this line of thought. In our schools, rote learning for exams is given highest prior­ity. From a young age our children are forced to accept that the right answer is the one that is written in the textbook and/or told by the teacher. If you think originally, you are penalised. Some schools are trying to change this by adopting learning-by-doing teaching methods. But the change is too slow and gradual.

That’s why your cover story advis­ing parents to get actively involved in unlocking children’s inherent creativ­ity is timely and relevant. Parents need to take the lead to create a home environment which encourages creative thinking in children.

Meena Iyer

Chennai

Inspiring example

Thanks for an interesting cover story on unlocking children’s inher­ent creativity (PW November). I was especially inspired by the story of Andaman-based inventor Dipankar Das who began making toys from mud when he was in class I and has gone on to invent several innova­tive products such as a solar pulse thresher and deep freeze device for fishermen.

It’s commendable that Das has used his talent to invent products to simplify the lives of local farmers and fishermen. Our children need to read similar inspiring stories of young people who are making a difference to the world.

Meenakshi Rajan

Bengaluru

Online safety information need

Thanks for the essay ‘Protecting tweens from sexual abuse’ (PW November). It had some useful advice on how parents should balance child safety and independence and the importance of honest discussions with tweens about child sexual abuse.

Though the authors also touched upon online safety, I believe because the internet and social media are ubiquitous today, you need to do a separate in-depth story.

Parents need to know more about the dangers of dating apps and web­sites. Children especially tweens are very vulnerable to sexual predators prowling the dark worldwide web. In­stalling and activating child protective software is very important.

Divya Tripathi

Delhi

Recipes suggestions

I enjoy reading (and trying) your recipes. The latest recipes featur­ing chickpeas were excellent. Most parents like me are at their wits ends trying to rustle up a variety of snacks which are healthy and nutritious. Some suggestions would be most welcome.

Munira Dasgupta

Kolkata

Stamina boosting recommendations

Your Health story on ‘Boosting your child’s stamina’ was informative (PW November). My ten-year-old daugh­ter is an aspiring tennis star and at­tends coaching classes every day. She definitely needs all the stamina she can get. Over the past three months I have increased the quality and quantity of food in her daily diet, and it has made a big difference. I would definitely recommend focussing on changing diet plans and ensuring children get adequate sleep.

Moreover adequate water intake is also very important especially for children playing sports as it enables the body to function efficiently.

Rita Barker

Bengaluru