Children
Arsenic-contaminated water linked to drug resistance in children: Study
A new study conducted in rural Bangladesh has found that areas with high levels of groundwater arsenic contamination that children drink regularly have a greater prevalence of antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli compared to areas with lower contamination levels.
Escherichia coli is a bacteria that is commonly found in the lower intestine of warm-blooded organisms and often causes diarrhoea.
Antibiotic resistance is one of the leading causes of death and hospitalisation worldwide. While the significant drivers of antibiotic resistance are the overuse and misuse of antibiotics, natural elements such as heavy metals could also promote antibiotic resistance.
The study by icddr,b scientists and partners was recently published in the journal PLOS Pathogens.
Researchers collected water and stool samples from mothers and children of 100 families in two upazila's – Hajiganj and Matlab of Chandpur. Families in Hajiganj use drinking water from shallow tube wells, which are found to have a high concentration of arsenic.
However, families in Matlab collect their drinking water from arsenic-free deep tube wells.
Read more: 360cr people face inadequate access to water: UN agency
"A positive association between arsenic exposure and antibiotic resistance among children in arsenic-affected areas in Bangladesh is an important public health concern. That warrants redoubling efforts to reduce arsenic exposure," the authors said.
The study's lead researcher, Mohammad Aminul Islam, adjunct scientist at icddr,b and Assistant Professor at the Washington State University of the US said: "Heavy metals such as arsenic are more stable than antibiotics in the environment. They continue to exert selective pressure on bacteria over a more extended period driving the evolution and expansion of antimicrobial resistance in the community."
"It is likely that antibiotic-resistant organisms may colonise humans and animals exposed to heavy metals even without being exposed to antibiotics," Aminul said.
"The extent to which this phenomenon drives the observed higher rates of antimicrobial resistance, as opposed to other confounders, would benefit from further study; nevertheless, it is critical to contain this environmental driver of antimicrobial resistance along with responsible antimicrobial usage in medicine and agriculture."
Read more: Arsenic problem in Khulna worsens; 589 patients detected
RFL brings Mini Cooper Car toy for children
RFL's toy brand Playtime has brought the Mini Cooper Car toy for children.
RN Paul, managing director of RFL Group, unveiled the Mini Cooper Car in Dhaka recently.
Read more: PRAN-RFL group wins six trophies for its export prowess.
Kazi Rashedul Islam, executive director of Playtime Toy, said: "Currently, the trend of using different types of electric toy cars has increased among children. That is why we have launched this product."
"This car can be used through remote control and be operated through an app. It can be used for more than four hours with a single charge. The maximum retail price of RFL Mini Cooper Car toy is Tk16,000," he added.
Read More: Safe Toys for Children: Tips to avoid harmful playing objects
"Children can and should be powerful change-makers in their families, schools and communities"
Children will be taking over the ATN Bangla news studio to co-host the 7pm evening news today (Sunday) marking the World Children’s Day.
Eleven-year-old Anisha Amin will present the news while nine-year-old Rowshan Amin Ruhy will operate a studio camera.
This “kids takeover” marks the annual celebration of the 1989 adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Read more: Heatwaves to impact almost every child by 2050: UNICEF report
Ratified by Bangladesh in 1990, the treaty contains a profound idea: that children are not just objects who belong to their parents and for whom decisions are made, or adults in training. Rather, they are individuals with their own rights.
The Convention says that childhood is separate from adulthood, and that it lasts until the child turns 18. It is a special and protected time in which children must be allowed to grow, learn, play, develop and flourish with dignity.
The Convention is the most widely ratified human rights treaty in history, and it remains a pillar for transforming children’s lives.
Across the world today, UNICEF partners with children who take over key positions in media and politics as a voice for children who are unschooled, unprotected and uprooted.
“I have always been on the other side watching the news but today the whole country will listen to me. I want all children to be heard, not just on World Children’s Day but every day,” said eleven-year-old Anisha Amin.
The themes of this year’s World Children’s Day are inclusion and anti-discrimination. In this spirit, UNICEF brought together Rohingya refugee girls and Bangladeshi girls in friendly football matches in Cox’s Bazar.
Read more: UNICEF wants investment in world's first child-focused climate risk financing solution
The moment of fun was part of UNICEF’s work to inspire friendships between children who share the experience the Rohingya refugee crisis from different perspectives.
The theme of inclusion and the power of sports is at the heart of this unmissable World Children's Day video with UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors David Beckham, Sergio Ramos, Robert Lewandowski and the Bangladesh national U-15 girls’ football team.
Trending on social media in Bangladesh, the video has already been seen over 10 million times.
Compelling videos were also launched by UNICEF Youth Advocates Farzana Faruk Jhumu and Raba Khan addressing climate change and mental health.
Joining the global #IFeltIncluded campaign, Bangladeshi children sent their messages to the world that every child has the right to be protected from all forms of discrimination, while child journalists wrote stories about children who are challenging stereotypes in their communities.
“Children can and should be powerful change-makers in their families, schools and communities. It is their voices, choices and opportunities that we must invest in,” said Sheldon Yett, UNICEF Representative to Bangladesh.
Safe Toys for Children: Tips to avoid harmful playing objects
Kids are always happy with their toys. The right and safe toys can provide your child with so many benefits like encouragement to play, stimulation of their senses, support in developing skills, and more. However, some toys are harmful to kids. Let’s take a look at how to choose safe toys for children.
How Toys Can Harm Babies
Toys can harm babies in many ways. For instance, -Babies may feel choked while playing with balloons or toys containing strings and wires. -The heavy large toys can fall upon small kids-Electric toys can give them shocks. -The sharp-edged toys can cause injury to children-Babies can swallow small playing objects like magnets, marbles, jewelry, etc. -Dirty toys can affect the kids with bacteria. -Noisy toys can scare young kids.-Babies may hurt themselves or other kids with shooting toys.-Toys built with harmful materials can cause harm to kids’ health.
Read More: 12 foods that shouldn’t be given to babies and children
While playing with toys, a child may experience serious injury or even death especially when the toy doesn’t suit the child’s age or includes dangerous elements, or is improperly built or used in the wrong way. Although, toy-injuries are usually minor cuts, scrapes, and bruises parents should be careful.
13 Guidelines to Choose Safe Toys for Babies
Age-Appropriate Toys
Generally, toys are designed according to the age of the baby. Age is mentioned on the cover of the toy. So, keep in mind the age of your baby whenever you wish to buy a toy. Age-appropriate toys are safe for your child and help in the better development of your child.
Size-Appropriate Toys
Size is one of the major points you need to consider while buying a toy for your child. Make sure you select the size of the toy according to your child’s age, height, size, nature, and health status. Naturally, babies love to keep their favourite toys close to their bodies, especially their noses and mouths.
Read More: How to entertain an unwell child without screen time
Parents should avoid choosing too small toys for young babies as such toys can cause choking when taken in the mouth. Small objects like flashing decorations or jewelry can be harmful to young children.
On the other hand, too large and heavy toys for your child’s size can be difficult for him or her to handle. There is a risk that during playing the toy may fall on the child and hurt him/her.
Chewing Resistant
Naturally, children have the curiosity to put everything in their mouths. This habit can cause bad accidents that can be life-threatening too. So, you have to choose chewing-resistant toys for your child so that they won’t swallow them.
Read More: How to deal with your demanding child?
Washable Toys
Children are not careful about their toys and so they throw their toys here and there while playing. When a kid throw his/her toy in a dirty place, and pick it up again, the toy may carry several bacteria.
Those bacteria may cause bacterial infections as the kids have the habit of putting their toys in their mouths. So, it’s wise to choose toys that are easily washable and you can sanitize from time to time.
Avoid Loud Toys
The main function of toys is to entertain your child. But too loud or screaming toys can hardly give pleasure to your child rather they can irritate them by causing noise pollution. Most importantly, they can harm the listening power of your child. So, don’t buy toys that are too loud for your little one.
Read More: How physical punishment affects children and alternative ways to discipline them
No Strings Or Wires
Don’t buy toys that have long strings, attached ribbons, or frills. If you have found some, remove such kind of material immediately from those toys as your child may wrap it around him/her neck and feel choked. Besides, it may harm the child’s blood circulation by restricting the flow of the blood through his/her veins.
Printing work of textbooks to start from Thursday: Dipu Moni
The printing work of textbooks will start from Thursday with aim to distribute those among students on the first day of 2023, said Education Minister Dipu Moni on Wednesday.
“We want to distribute textbooks on time as well as maintaining their quality,” the minister told reporters in reply to a question at the Secretariat.
“Now if paper pulp is not available, then we have to provide paper even if it is secondary pulp. There will some differences in the quality of paper, but we have to ensure acceptable quality,” she added.
Read more: Students to get new books on first day of 2023: Dipu Moni
Dipu Moni said it is not possible to check all 35 crore textbooks. “We try our best to maintain the quality as much as possible.”
The government celebrates textbook festival on the first day of every year to distribute new books among students which was not held in the last two years due to Covid pandemic.
Now the pandemic is under control, the government wants to return to the old tradition, said the minister.
On October 29, Dipu Moni said textbooks will be distributed at schools countrywide on the first day of 2023.
5 Winter Vegetable Curry Recipes for Children
During the winter season, various colourful and nutritious vegetables become abundant in Bangladesh. These vegetables are amazingly healthy and beneficial for children’s health. Usually, children are reluctant to eat vegetables. However, you can prepare mouth-watering dishes for your lovely child with winter vegetables. We are here with 5 kid-special yummy winter vegetable curry recipes that you can try at home.
5 Delicious Winter Vegetable Curries for Children
Winter Vegetable Fruity Curry
This winter vegetable fruity curry is easy to cook at home and it tastes absolutely delicious and healthy. You can prepare it with different vegetables that your children love. Therefore, you need to choose nutritious vegetables.
Ingredients:
750g of mixed winter vegetables including carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, kale, Brussel sprouts, potatoes, squash, pumpkin, cabbage, 1 medium or small onion, 1 large apple (cooking apple), 2 large bananas, 2 tomatoes, 2 tsp vegetable oil, 50g plain flour, 2 tsp curry powder, and 500ml reduced-salt vegetable stock.
Method:
First, wash and clean all vegetables well and cut them all into medium size pieces. Cook the mixed winter vegetables. Meanwhile, chop the onion, apple, and tomato nicely. Slice the bananas into small pieces also. Take a large non-stick saucepan, put oil and add the fruits into the pan.
Fry all vegetables and fruits on low heat for 5 to 6 minutes. Now add the flour and curry powder and stir well and stir in the stock. Cover the pan on low heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the previously cooked mixed vegetables and stir well. Serve warm with rice or roti.
Read 5 Simple One-Skillet Dinner Recipes for Busy Bachelors
Chicken & sweet potato curry
This is an aromatic and dairy-free curry. It contains chicken which provides not only protein but fibre also to keep your children feeling full longer.
Ingredients
1 tbsp sunflower oil or usual oil, 1 onion (chopped), 450g chicken thigh (boneless, skinless), 165g korma paste, 2 garlic cloves (crushed), 500g sweet potato, 400g chopped tomato, 100g baby spinach.
Method
First, clean the chicken and cut it into bite-size pieces. Then peel the sweet potatoes and clean them. Cut them into small pieces.
Heat the oil in a pan and then add the onion to the pan. Fry the onion over low heat for about 5 mins. Then add the chicken pieces, increase the heat and fry them until they become brown.
Add curry paste and garlic and cook for 2 mins. Now add 100ml water, the sweet potato pieces, and chopped tomatoes. Cover and cook for 20-25 mins or as long as the chicken is cooked through and the sweet potato is tender.
Now add a splash of more water if necessary. Add the spinach and stir well. Remove the pan from the heat and continue stirring until the spinach has become softened. Serve with rice.
Read 12 foods that shouldn’t be given to babies and children
Pumpkin curry with chickpeas
This recipe is easy and simple to prepare. It is a delectable and nutritious food for your kids in the cold season. A fragrant veggie curry made featuring warming spices, fresh veggies, and chickpeas.
Ingredients
1 tbsp oil, 3 tbsp curry paste, 2 onions (finely chopped), 1 tbsp mustard seed, 1 piece pumpkin (about 1kg), 250ml vegetable stock, 400ml can reduced-fat coconut milk, 400g can chickpea (drained and rinsed), large handful mint leaves.
Method
First, peel off the pumpkin and wash well. Then cut the pumpkin into pieces. Heat the oil in the pan and fry the curry paste with the onions and mustard seed for 2-3 mins as long as it spread fragrant. Add the pumpkin to the pan.
Then add the stock and coconut milk. Bring everything to a boil and then the chickpeas. Cook for about 10 mins or until the pumpkin becomes tender. Serve with plain rice or roti.
Read Top brain foods for studying and exams
Cauliflower, squash, coconut & lentil curry
Do your kid like coconut? When you have nutritious winter vegetables like cauliflower, squash and lentil, you can make a delightful curry with these veggies along with coconut.
Ingredients
1 tbsp oil, 1 onion (chopped), 1 tbsp garam masala, 1 tbsp turmeric, 200g red lentils, 400ml can coconut milk, small bunch coriander (chopped), cooked wholegrain rice (to serve), and coconut yogurt (dairy free).
For the roast cauliflower & squash base
1 cauliflower, ½ large squash (cut into cubes), 1 tbsp oil
Method
First, for the base prepare the oven to 180C/160C fan. Then, season the cauliflower and squash with oil and then spread them on an oven tray. Roast them for about 25 mins or as long as they become tender. You can also prepare the base earlier and store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to a month.
Now, heat oil in a pan add the onion, and cook until the onions become soft and brown. Now add the spices and cook for 2 to 3 mins. Then add the lentils, coconut milk, and 200ml water and bring to a boil.
Cook the mixture for about 20 mins. After that add the roast veg and cook for a further 10 mins. Add a little water if necessary. Add the coriander. Mix well and remove from the simmer. Serve with rice and yogurt.
Read Top Instagrammable rooftop restaurants in Banani
Mixed Vegetable Curry Recipe
During the winter season various colourful and nutritious veggies are available in the market. Using several types of vegetables you can prepare a mixed vegetable curry. Your child will also like it.
Ingredients
1.2 kilos mixed cold weather vegetables including carrots, potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, etc., 2 tablespoons cooking oil 1 medium onion (finely sliced), 1 teaspoon salt, a "thumb" of fresh ginger, 4 cloves, 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 400 ml coconut milk, freshly ground black pepper, basmati rice.
Instructions
First, wash and cut the vegetables into small cubes. Heat the oil and add the onions and salt, and cook for 3 minutes. Make sure you stir frequently. Cook the onions as long as it becomes softened. Then add the ginger, cloves, and cinnamon, and cook for another 1 minute.
Now, add the vegetables, two-thirds of the coconut milk, and 120 ml water. Cover the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil. Minimize the heat and cook for 30 minutes. Stir occasionally. Add the remaining coconut milk, cook for another 2 minutes and sprinkle with black pepper. Now it is ready. Serve with basmati rice and chutney.
Read Health Benefits of Nigella Seeds (Kalijira)
Bottom Line
So far, we have shared 5 recipes for winter vegetable curries for children. The adult family members will enjoy these recipes too. The taste, colour, and flavour of the food may change depending on cooking style and skills. You can customize the ingredients depending on the precise choice of your children.
Heatwaves to impact almost every child by 2050: UNICEF report
UNICEF, the UN Children's Fund, has warned that by 2050, nearly every child on earth would be affected by heatwaves, which have already become an inevitable health risk for many nations.
Today, 559 million children are already exposed to a high number of heatwaves, placing them on the front lines of climate change, the UN agency noted.
More than two billion youngsters are expected to be exposed to "more frequent, longer lasting, and more severe" heatwaves by the middle of this century.
“The climate crisis is a child rights crisis – and it is already taking a devastating toll on children’s lives and futures,” warned UNICEF Executive Director, Catherine Russell.
This year’s wildfires and heatwaves that have swept through India, Europe, and North America were “yet another sobering example of the impact of climate change on children”, she added.
New data from the agency published in its report on Tuesday, The Coldest Year Of The Rest Of Their Lives, underscores that young children face greater risks than adults when faced with extreme heat events.
This is because they are less able to regulate their body temperature compared to adults. The more heatwaves children are exposed to, the greater the chance of health problems including chronic respiratory conditions, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases.
Read: Supporting Mothers at Work: UNICEF joins hands with Bangladesh garment industry
“The world urgently needs to invest in building their resilience – and in adapting all the systems children rely on to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing climate,” UNICEF maintained.
This is regardless of whether average global temperatures rise by 1.7 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels if greenhouse gas emissions are low, or whether they rise by 2.4C, if emissions are high.
Protecting children from the escalating impacts of heatwaves should be a priority for all countries, UNICEF said, in a call for “urgent and dramatic emissions mitigation measures to contain global heating - and protect lives”.
Children in northern regions will face the most dramatic increases in high heatwave severity, while by 2050, nearly half of all children in Africa and Asia will face sustained exposure to extreme high temperatures over 35C (95F), UN Children’s Fund data showed.
“This will have a devastating impact on children,” said Vanessa Nakate, climate activist and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. “The more frequent, longer lasting and more severe heatwaves children are exposed to, the greater the impacts on health, safety, nutrition, education, access to water and future livelihoods.”
“Almost every country is experiencing changing heatwaves,” UNICEF said. “What each government does now will determine the survival of those least responsible for this crisis – our children and young people.”
12 foods that shouldn’t be given to babies and children
It is exciting to introduce new foods to your baby. However, not all kinds of foods are suitable for babies. Some foods may cause a choking hazard to young eaters, while others may pose health risks. Let’s take a look at which foods to avoid feeding babies and young children.
12 Harmful Foods for babies and young kids
Salted foods
Babies aged between 7-12 months need 0.37grams of sodium each day. Experts say that naturally healthy and full-term infants can get this requirement from breast milk or formula. So, you don’t need to add salt to your baby’s food. Remember, if a baby consumes extra salt, it exposes them to excess sodium, which is not good at all for their immature kidneys.
Make sure you don’t add salt to your baby's food or cooking water and avoid stock cubes or gravy because they are most often high in salt.
Read How to Encourage Your Child to Try New Food?
Besides these, parents should refrain from feeding readymade, highly processed, high-sodium foods, such as chips, crisps, fries, bacon, and sausages. Accessive amounts of sodium or salt can create hyperosmolarity in the baby which the kidneys of the baby may not handle .
Refined sugar/ Sugary foods
Research has shown that it is not wise to add sugar to the food of babies under 24 months. Experts also say that babies shouldn’t eat only sugar or as a part of the food. Because sugar adds additional calories to the diet of babies which can cause tooth decay over time.
Many parents tend to add refined sugar to their baby’s milk. Babies who take sugar during the months of infancy and early childhood may develop a preference for sweet foods.
Read Helping Kids with Sharing: How to teach a child to share
Babies who prefer sugary foods are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes and obesity later in life.
Honey
Honey is a great natural sweetener; rich in minerals and antioxidants. It is considered a healthy alternative to sugar.
However, babies under 12 months shouldn’t consume honey due to the infant botulism risk created by the spores of the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. Infant botulism in babies under 1 is a serious and rarely fatal illness that can cause constipation, weakened sucking, poor appetite, lethargy, and even potentially pneumonia and dehydration.
Read How to entertain an unwell child without screen time
Adding to these, honey contains significant amounts of sugar, which poses the same health risks as refined sugar does upon overconsumption.
Therefore, parents shouldn’t feed honey to their babies under 12 months.
Cow’s milk
Cow’s milk is great for adults. Whole cow milk provides several nutrients, However, it is not suitable for babies under 1 year.
Babies should not consume cow's milk as it can be hard for them to digest.
Read How to deal with your demanding child?
Besides, cow's milk doesn't have all the required nutrients like iron, zinc, and vitamin E that a baby needs to grow and develop during his or her first year.
The baby usually develops allergic reactions and as cow’s milk is allergic, you should avoid it for your baby.
Moreover, cow’s milk has heavy proteins and minerals that put undue stress on a baby’s immature kidneys. These proteins can irritate the baby’s digestive system lining, causing occult bleeding, and increasing the risk of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) over time.
Read How physical punishment affects children and alternative ways to discipline them
Cheese
You can feed your babies some types of cheese as it is a good source of calcium, protein, and vitamins.
But babies should not be fed mold-ripened soft cheeses including brie, goat cheese, or blue cheese; because these types of cheeses have a higher risk of carrying listeria (bacteria).
Cheeses that are made from unpasteurized milk carry the extra risk of listeria, and babies and young children should not consume these foods.
Read How to comfortably travel with babies
Fruit juice
Fruit juice contains calories but none of the fat, protein, calcium, zinc, vitamin D, or fiber that babies need. Taking too much juice can cause tooth decay, diarrhea, and other chronic tummy troubles.
Whole nuts and peanuts
Parents shouldn’t give whole nuts and peanuts to children under 5 years old. These foods are not suitable for the digestion system of young children.
However, you can give crushed, ground, or smooth nut or peanut butter to your baby from around 6 months old.
Read Excessive Crying in Infants: Possible Reasons, Tips of Soothing
But if your baby has food allergies or other allergies in your family, talk to doctor before introducing nuts and peanuts to your baby’s food menu.
Raw and lightly cooked eggs
You can give eggs to your baby from around 6 months. Hen’s egg is suitable for babies and young children. But don’t feed them raw and lightly cooked eggs. Cook the egg as long as both the white and yolk become solid.
Refined grains
Nutritionist says that all carbs are not equally nutritious.
Read Breastfed Infant’s Slow Weight Gain: Common symptoms, reasons, solutions
Complex carbs provide naturally-occurring nutrients that are stripped during the refining process and ultimately they turn into whole grains white.
Whole grains are also rich in fiber to keep blood sugar steady. So avoid refined grains and opt for 100 percent whole-grain pasta, bread, cereal, rice, and crackers.
Raw vegetables and fruits
You should avoid giving babies raw vegetables and fruits to eat.
Read Why Self Care of Moms is Important: Tips for busy mothers
For example, baby carrots, celery, corn, and green peas may create choking hazards for babies. However, babies can eat these vegetables when they are thoroughly cooked and properly softened.
Babies can eat raw fruits like Berries when they are cut into small pieces.
Sticky foods
Babies should avoid sticky foods like raw jelly cubes, chewy fruits, snacks, marshmallows, and a dollop of peanut butter. These foods stick to the mouth, so it is difficult for babies to swallow them. Experts recommend avoiding these foods for young children until they are four years old.
Read Common Sleep Problems in Children: Causes, Symptoms, Ways to Help
Rice drinks
Rice is a common grain that is used as a supportive food for babies. But when it comes to rice drinks like rice milk, experts recommend children under five years of age shouldn’t have rice milk as a substitute for breast milk or infant formula. You need to avoid rice drinks as they may have high amounts of inorganic arsenic, which can affect the cognitive development of babies over time.
Bottom Line
Breast milk or formula is the mainstay of a baby's diet in the first year of life. Babies who are older than six months need to be exposed to foods from different food groups.
Read Motivating Kids to Study, Do Homework, Get Good Grades: Know Secret Ways
However, as the digestive systems of babies under one year are still developing, parents need to consult a pediatrician to get a list of safe foods for babies. So far, we have discussed 12 types of foods to avoid giving infants, babies, and young children. Hope it helps!
Hasina and Friends: Interactive gaming platform to educate children
On the occasion of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s birthday, State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak today released Bangladesh’s first interactive gaming platform “Hasina and Friends”.
Terming “Hasina and Friends” as the first self-built learning platform of Bangladesh, Palak said that the platform has been created to teach children about environment, health, education and digital connectivity.
“Kids will learn a lot of necessary life hacks through playing this game. It has been designed in a way that those playing it can become creative, liberal, progressive and smart citizens,” said Palak.
Read: Palak asks youths to be self-employed in IT sector
The ICT state minister added that children will also get rewards while playing the game. “From now on, ‘Hasina and Friends’ festival will be held every year.”
The interactive platform has been created to teach those aged 6-16 years on environment, education, health and digital connectivity through stories and games. The gaming platform can be found at www.hasinaandfriends.gov.bd website.
Through “Hasina and Friends”, children will get important lessons on the history, culture and development of Bangladesh. Besides, the game will also teach them what their values and trajectory should be in this digital age.
Read Best Educational YouTube Channels for Children
How to deal with your demanding child?
Children that are constantly needing attention can hardly accept "no" for an answer. If your kid is constantly demanding something in a rude way, don’t get stressed out! In the current world, numerous parents are experiencing such issues. Here are 11 effective and respectful strategies for dealing with demanding children.
11 tips to deal with your demanding child
Understand their needs
Sometimes kids ask for basic things in rude ways. Try to understand what they want. For instance, 'Get me food!' means 'I am hungry; "Go away" means "I need space; "Pick me up" could refer to 'I require a hug or 'I'm not feeling safe.
When a kid is demanding something from you, it is communicating a need. Now, what does the kid need you to do? The easiest thing to do is to identify the kid's needs and simply say you heard it.
Read How physical punishment affects children and alternative ways to discipline them
Find the reason for anger
Each child is not similar. Like adults, children have different traits and personalities.
The anger of children is likely caused by a different emotion they're unable to communicate. Some kids may get angry about basic needs like food; while some kids may always get restless for new toys in shopping malls. Therefore it's essential to allow your children space to express their feelings.
Take a positive attitude
When your child is over-demanding, you may think that kid is rude or insolent. However, the way you perceive children determines how they can think of themselves.
Read How to comfortably travel with babies
If you respond to the child with an angry voice and tag the kid’s behaviour as ‘rude’. The kid may bear the same perception about himself or herself, and continue to behave in ways that conform to this judgment. It is a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Therefore, try to stay calm and stay positive in response to a child that has shouted for food or a new toy, or other things. Try responding by saying something such as, "You sound very frustrated about something; what can I do to help?" By responding to the kid’s needs in a polite way, you can let it know that you understand its demand.
Don't take it personally
Your unconditional love for your child is unwavering. But still, the kid may act like crazy sometimes! Don’t take such insolence personally. It could feel like it, but these ill-manners or irrational demands aren't about you or indicate how you parent your children. They are just a challenge at times!
Read Excessive Crying in Infants: Possible Reasons, Tips of Soothing
They're likely feeling overwhelmed and just beginning to learn how to communicate. Relax before responding to your child; remember that your child can influence their future decisions.
Help them resolve their needs
Sometimes your kids require or want you to take care of things for them; however, most of the time, they need to know more before they are sure of what to do. They're capable and confident and awed by their ability to make decisions themselves. It's your responsibility to help them do this. Honestly, it's not practical, useful, or fun for you to take on everything for them.
After acknowledging their need, should they be capable of helping themselves, a brief, nonjudgmental, and not accusatory statement could assist them in deciding the next steps.
Read Breastfed Infant’s Slow Weight Gain: Common symptoms, reasons, solutions
Be kind and talk to them with an open mind
Sometimes, you have tried all of the above and still hear a resounding demand. It could be that you are wrong regarding the need that is at the root that your children really need is some compassion before they're at a point where they can discern what they're looking for.
Be there for the child, be supportive of them, discuss the issue, and solve it when everyone is relaxed and capable. Achieving a request is not a sign of giving in, but it does mean that you're always there for your child when they are most difficult.
Define what constitutes a demanding behavior
Spend the time to sit with your child and discuss the distinction between polite, acceptable behavior and demanding behavior, which won't help them get anywhere. This makes it much easier to discuss their shady actions later. However, don't do it during a tiff, and it's a great discussion to have when both of you are in a relaxed state!
Read Learning Disabilities in Children: Types, symptoms, ways to help
Model good behavior
Now, how to teach your kids to express themselves and communicate their desires in a bit more polite way? The answer is you have to behave politely first before you expect your kid to be well-mannered.
Instead of giving them instructions on what to do, make it sound like an appeal: "Can you please wash your hands before dinner" instead of "Go wash your hands".
Remember, your kid is always following you! So, when you're with others or in public, demonstrate the manner of conduct you'd like your children to emulate. If you make a mistake and get angry with your kids or other people and then you're not able to control it, be sure to assure them of your apology and also explain the mistake was not yours.
Read Motivating Kids to Study, Do Homework, Get Good Grades: Know Secret Ways
Salute their manner of conduct
If your child is correctly asking for things or acts positively, you must be sure to acknowledge and praise the child for their efforts. You can give them small gifts or incentives like ice cream or their favorite food.
Children learn best by reiterating good behavior rather than being admonished for bad behavior.
Encourage them to fulfill extra needs with their own saving
In the current world, lucrative promotions, branding, and advertising impress adults. Kids become prey to these crazy advertisements on TVs, and in shopping malls. Unlike adults, kids have less patience and judgment power. Sometimes, your kid might be relentlessly demanding a new toy, doll, or shirt.
Read Basic Communication Skills Needed in Business, Career, Relationships
So, don’t be upset about your kid’s excessive demands; rather you can set a toy budget or shopping budget for your child.
Try to make them understand the value of money and encourage them to make savings. So that they can buy desired things with their saved money.
Take good care of yourself
It has never been easy to be a parent. Being a parent and managing the household can be exhausting and stress-inducing. Make sure that you're looking at yourself too.
Read Why Self Care of Moms is Important: Tips for busy mothers
A good night's sleep, eating well, and taking time to relax with your parents are vital to your well-being. The more relaxed you are, the easier it will be to handle your children's demands without becoming frustrated or losing your temper.
Bottom Line
So far, we have discussed how to deal with a demanding child. Demands are not an emergency; it's not something to be punished for. It's an appeal for assistance, an opportunity for connecting, a child in school, and a need to be acknowledged. Remember that a demanding child provides the parent with the opportunity to impart knowledge. Parents have the chance to address the issue!
Many parents treat their children the way they would like to be treated by them. This is extremely strong. If you keep showing affection and a positive attitude, they will begin to learn what it feels and looks like to be treated with kindness. Keep the faith, and then try again.
Read Common Sleep Problems in Children: Causes, Symptoms, Ways to Help