Stay Fit and Be Healthy

The health status of children relates to physical, emotional and spiritual factors that frequently determine their quality of life and relationship to the world as they grow up. Improving these areas is the responsibility of parents and others who guide children in their growth period and who encourage kids to in extracurricular activities to make sure they develop relationship with family and friends.

The saying that a healthy mind and a healthy body stay hand in hand is true. Research shows that physically fit and healthy kid learns more and can enjoy wider range of experiences. At the same time children who are overweight and unfit frequently faces problem regarding self confidence and tend to behave more introvert.

The quality amount of time they should keep for studies and play is getting reduced these days. We need to go into deep analysis of factors which pave the way for this situation and also should come up with certain solution so that we can witness a healthy and fit tomorrow.

Eat healthy: Unhealthy eating habits are the major reason for most of the health related issues among the young generation. The sweetened and carbonated drinks, butter and cheese, chocolates in various forms, fried vegetables, chicken and meat, ice creams and all work in very harmful manner if they are consumed in a large or frequent amount.

But this does not mean to cut down all the food items children like. Parents should make sure that all their favorite foods are served to them but in a healthy ways. How can we do this? Instead of excess butter and cheese use olive oil in food and reduce the amount of chocolate and its related food like cakes, ice creams and baked ones to special occasions and parties and outings. Fried food can be changed to boil food which good taste and flavor.

Bring them out of Television: Children spend their whole time sitting in front of TV and the habit makes them mere couch potatoes. The physical activity they get while playing is going for a toss here.

Proper timetable should be kept for children so that this will turn to be a habit later on. There should be ample time for play, physical exercise, study and proper sleeping hours.

Encourage pursuing interests and hobbies: Being inactive is the main reason for children to be introvert and less confident. Each child will interested towards different activities like some will be interested in playing games, some will be interested in writing and some will be interested in arts and so on. So as parent if we encourage them more into it, children tend to be active all the time.  Parents can enroll their children in the specific weekend workshops or courses that hone their passion towards any interest of theirs – be It photography or any art form. An active mind and body makes an active soul, thus makes the Jack a smart and go-getter in life.

"Twist & Shout" for Pre Primary

"Twist & Shout" program was organized for pre primary students at the newly launched International School Vizag. Children had a very good time at school where they enjoyed along with their parents. Some glimpse from the event:

Chairman’s Cup Speaking Skills Competition

Chairman’s cup speaking skills competition for the month of October was held in Newton campus and student from grade IV & V participated in the competition. There were three teams with for and against opinion and the topic was ‘shopping malls a boom or a bane’ all the children participated with great enthusiasm and interest. Different viewpoints were presented by the children.

The tip of the month for better communication skills given by the judge was -Know the subject well before you speak and use paper only to refer to the points.

Culinary Skills of Oakridge Students

As a part of culinary skills hobby, children of grade IV to grade XI learnt to make bread Dahi vada. Children were very enthusiastic and enjoyed the class it was a very simple recipe but very tasty. All those who tasted were giving very encouraging appreciations. 

Unity in Cultural Diversity

As the proverb says ‘Every human’s ability may be strengthened or increased by culture’. Culture is considered as the strong foundation on which we build our paradise. Be it in any country or place they have their own culture and tradition. India is known as one the culturally rich countries and we Indians follow en number diverse culture in a united manner.

Culture is one such thing which one cannot learn in day or month. The root comes from family and goes on as a part of life. So indirectly it means we learn the basic principles of tradition and culture from elders at young age and it get polished when we grow. In the middle age stage where one go to school and merge with people from various cultural backgrounds, is the stage where we learn the real meaning of it. The compassionate feeling towards others is the byproduct of this cultural merging.

As a case study we can take children in middle age stage who are especially studying in a boarding school.  Boarding schools in India are considered to be the place for cultural exchange as children from various places, classes, community, tradition come and stay in the same place for a longer period. They get to know each other in depth during the course of time and the best part of it is that they adopt the positive aspects from each diverse culture and enhance their own. The connection here between the school and culture is nothing but it is the platform where the cultural exchange happen and school can facilitate it by organizing programs and workshops to create understanding about the needs and benefits of holding to a culture or tradition.

For an example, Oakridge International Boarding School Vizag, the best international school in Vizag, offer a podium to its students where they come across even foreign students and their culture. The school celebrates each culture in campus to make the children understand the specialties and importance of each one. They organizes programs like camps for kids from all over the world in a grand manner keeping all the potential values of tradition and culture so that the young ones can see, experience and make it a part of their life.

After all this is what we meant by culture, to learn how to respect other’s culture without losing yours. As Albert Camus says "without culture, and the relative freedom it implies, society, even when perfect, is but a jungle.”

   

Vizag’s first International Pre-Primary School

Oakridge, India’s Largest International School launched Vizag’s first International Pre Primary school for Nursery, PP I and PP II. The campus is situated in East Point Colony, Near VUDA Park. The prestigious function was inaugurated by the best suited person for the occasion Mr. Kona Sashidhar, IAS, Vice Chairman, and VUDA. District Collector shared his views regarding the initiative of Oakridge to come up with a platform like this which will benefit all the young ones in Vizag, in his speech. Enthusiasm was high as the kids and parents were eager to star their journey with Oakridge.    

The “Third Generation”

Groucho Marx says “I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book.” In 21^st century’s context this statement is absolutely perfect as the influence of visual media is on the peak. It has become a part of life or may be more than that. 

 

The overflow of technology could be the main reason behind it. And if the influence on elders is like this then there is a lot to worry when it comes to children as they love to imitate us. As Newton said, “every action has an equal and opposite reaction”, this social scenario also will have reactions either positive or negative and in the curious case of media influence there aroused certain negative reactions too. The distance between people and books got increased. Though there are many digitalized books these days, very few prefer them. These phenomenons will slowly leading to a generation who does not have the strength of imagination and thinking as they are becoming mere couch potatoes. 

For our previous generation reading was a daily activity which goes along with their routine. Their days were incomplete without a newspaper. But situation and technology changed and accordingly habits also changed as people started lacking time to sit at a place and spend some time for reading. Especially when it comes to our young age group most of them prefer social networking sites rather than a book. Should we let this happen or try to bring in the old method will be based on the level of intellectual and quality output given by each individual in various spheres. If the rating is very low, there has to instant procedures to improve the situation.

For our previous generation reading was a daily activity which goes along with their routine. Their days were incomplete without a newspaper. But situation and technology changed and accordingly habits also changed as people started lacking time to sit at a place and spend some time for reading. Especially when it comes to our young age group most of them prefer social networking sites rather than a book. Should we let this happen or try to bring in the old method will be based on the level of intellectual and quality output given by each individual in various spheres. If the rating is very low, there has to instant procedures to improve the situation.

Fortunately these days we can see many international schools in India coming up with advanced curriculum which understands the significance of analytical thinking and importance creating interest towards reading in students. Being influenced by any media is not harm until it becomes a social stigma. Technological developments should implement ways which retain the good habits from past.