Yoga Can Reduce Stress In Children
WESH NEWS CHANNEL
ORLANDO, FL, USA, ,Thu Jan 30,11:08 PM ET-Some experts say the ancient art of yoga can help children deal with daily stressors.
Certified yoga instructor Jennifer Keller said children worry as often as adults, and yoga can help reduce tension.
"They have the exact same deadlines that we do and the exact same fears. Not having enough time to do what they want to do, or not being able to please everyone that's around them or say the right thing. I mean, it's exactly the same, just on a smaller scale," Keller said. She said Yoga teaches stress-management techniques that children can use throughout their adult lives, as well.
After only her third class, the relaxation and breathing techniques have come in handy for 8-year-old Rebecca Hanrahan. Caryn Hanrahan, Rebecca's mother, said her daughter fights with her sister and stresses over homework. She said Rebecca needed to learn how to relax.
"Rebecca's kind of hard on herself, and so it helps to calm her down, so I can say 'Do some yoga breathing' if I see her getting a little uptight," Hanrahan said. Keller says yoga is beneficial for children as young as 6 years old.
"Yoga breathing, it's a gift to give to a child because there are pressures there even as a 6- year-old," she said.
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For a Resolute Girl, Traditions of India Imposed No Limits
By AMY WALDMAN
KARNAL, India, Feb. 2-In the early 1960's, the era when Kalpana Chawla was born, the birth of a boy in this north Indian city was a reason for celebrations and congratulatory visits.
The birth of a girl was met with quiet disappointment, and often still is.
Kalpana � the youngest of four children, and the third girl � seemed to sense that reality, her brother, Sanjay, said today, and was shaped by it. "She was determined, `I'm going to tell these guys I'm not just another girl,' " he said. "She was going to be better than the boys."
She was. She became only the second Indian-born astronaut and the first woman from India to go into space. Before she died Saturday on her second space shuttle voyage, at age 41, along with six fellow astronauts, Dr. Chawla had left a deep mark here.
Rajiv Mittal, a businessman who grew up with her, said, "She never had the feeling that because she was a girl, there were things she should not do."
Four years ago, Kalpana Chawla told fifth-graders in the Wausau School District to reach for the stars.
Diane Trulen was a fifth-grade teacher at Franklin Elementary School in 1999 and handled the science aspect of the program at Franklin.
"I remember what she looked like, and I remember her being really vivacious, but that's about all I remember," Trulen said Sunday. "She smiled a lot, and I remember her being energetic."Trulen expects that as children who met the astronaut connect her to her visit here, the reality of the disaster will hit closer to home.
"Monday will really be a telling day to see how the children are handling it," she said.
- The Associated Press contributed to this story.
http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/wdhlocal/276939569196543.shtml
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http://www.rnw.nl/development/html/030204othandweni.html
Othandweni - hope for street children
SOUTH AFRICA, Anna Yeadell, 4 February 2003-The phenomenon of street children is nothing new. As many as 30,000 children were living on the streets of London in the 1850's, for example. In comparison, it's a relatively recent problem for South Africa, but with numbers steadily rising.
However, in the notorious district of Hillbrow in Johannesburg, an organisation called Othandweni is trying to provide care, support and a second chance for some of the growing numbers of South Africa's street children.
Kgomotso Msimango, a social worker working at Othandweni, has the names of 270 children on her computer - children she's found living under cardboard boxes and blankets on the streets of Hillbrow.
A young man called Zamile is one of the lucky ones to have benefited from diversion. He is attending a life skills course and training to be a baker.
"Before, I was a gangster," he says. "We were robbing people and smoking drugs. Now I've learned how life is, how to handle yourself, how to have a family, health - so many things. I know to respect people, and now I don't take drugs at all.
Kgomotso admits,"To tell you the truth, most street children they just need a smile out of a person and if you can give that to him or her you've made a difference in a way. �At least today there is someone who smiled at me.' It makes them feel better. So I believe I'm winning in so many ways. I don't have to have successful stories, but at least if I can make one of them smile, for me I've done a lot you know."
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http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/02/03/1044122321421.html
Today, Wandiligong's children answer to a different bell
AUSTRALIA-Feb 4 2003 By Chee Chee Leung- Students at 22 Victorian schools will begin their academic year today. The threat of bushfires in the state's north-east delayed their term-one start by almost a week.
There will be 58 students at Wandiligong school this year, and Mrs Smith said there was no doubt those who were returning would be excited."The children have missed the social aspect of school, but I'd be kidding if I tried to tell you that they loved to learn," she said.
Grade 4 student Jake Lancaster, who plans to "try more" in all his subjects this year, said he was looking forward to catching up with his classmates.
Parents, too, are glad the extended holiday has come to an end. According to Jake's mother, Kim, the bushfire ordeal had left everyone in the town "a bit toey", and the return to school was a sign that things were starting to settle down.
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| USA,February 03, 2003-At our Girls and Boys Town facilities across the United States our family consists of children of every race, creed and color under the sun. We are a melting pot and that is the way our founder, Father Edward J. Flanagan, wanted it. |
Here, in the famous Nebraska village he founded and our 18 other locations across the country, we celebrate our diversity.
However, we understand prejudice still exists. We asked our children to express their feelings on prejudice by writing letters to a person or a group of people who have shown intolerance or even hatred towards them.
Please, listen to their words. I hope their letters better help all of us understand our children and our brothers and sisters of all races and ethnic backgrounds. May it help us celebrate our differences or change our attitudes.
"I am a Native American, and I notice you are intentionally rude to me. I am not quite sure why. I know we all have different feelings and beliefs, but what does that matter? We rarely judge books by their covers. We read them first. Why don't you let me share a little of my life with you and you with me? You would not judge Native Americans the way you do. Thanks for listening." -Clifford
"I am Mexican and so are you. I noticed all your friends are Mexican. But if you met new people, whether they are white or African American, you might learn something new about them. You might find out you like them. Are you afraid of what you don't know? Here at Girls and Boys Town we live with one another and treat each other as brothers and sisters. I hope you take my advice and learn from other cultures." -Juan
"I am an African-American student and you are a white student. Racism is wrong. I don't think you understand. It causes pain to people who hear you say things so negatively about African Americans. They are human, just like you and me. They have hearts. The way you treat them confuses me. It's not right. You would not like it if someone did it to you and hurt your feelings. You are encouraging a hate group. I don't know why. Please listen to me." -Brandon
"I want to ask you a question. Why do you hate white people? I think it's just because they are white and not African American. Why don't you give them a chance? Here at Girls and Boys Town in our house we have African Americans and Asians and whites, and we have learned to be brothers. Father Flanagan said we should learn that and I am happy I did. Thanks for listening." -Josiah
You can learn, too. America will be better off if people learn the lessons of my children.Val J. Peter
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http://www.mindanaotimes.com.ph/news/printable.php?id=7258
Special child Deanna is an achiever
PHILIPPINES,2003-01-31-DEANNA Sipaco, is just among the many who has down syndrome. However she is also a well-known painter, an achiever and an inspiration not only to those who are mentally and physically-challenged but also to everyone. �Deanna, the eldest daughter of the four children of Atty and Mrs. Alberto Sipaco, Jr., is a good example among mentally-challenged children who should not lost hope because they too can excel in any endeavor.�
Deanna�s paintings, which is now exhibited at the lobby of The Royal Mandaya hotel, �is a reflection of her great talent in the field of arts, music and visual arts,� Dr. Vitto added.
An excellent student in school, Deanna has garnered awards and ribbons of excellence from her Alma Mater, the Lamb of God Sped Academy, said Gilda Barlis of DS Foundation.
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http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/AK0302/S00003.htm
Bring a kite to Omana Children�s Day
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND, Mon, 3 February 2003, 12:11 pm-This year�s Omana Children�s day promises to be the most colourful yet with hundreds of colourful kites expected to fill the skies above the park.
Visitors to this year�s Omana Children�s Day are asked to bring a kite to help transform the sky over Omana Regional Park into a sea of colour.
The kite theme is a first for the popular day out for children and their families which attracts a crowd of at least 5000 each year.
ARC Parks and Heritage Committee Chairman Bill Burrill says Omana Regional Park continues to be the perfect setting for family activities.
�It is picturesque with easy walks, a safe beach and the friendly farmyard animals which are always popular with the kids,� he says.
�The park is popular all year round but never more so than on Omana Children�s Day which is now in its twelfth year.�
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http://www.southeasttexaslive.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=6919068&BRD=2287&PAG=461&dept_id=481650&rfi=6
Wordy vote
JAMIE REID , The Enterprise
BEAUMONT, USA,02/03/2003 - Children at Roy Guess Elementary school Wednesday took on a serious assignment: voting for their favorite book among a list of 20.
The children were voting for the annual Texas Bluebonnet Award winner, which will be decided by almost 200,000 children from 2,100 schools across Texas.
The book reading promotes reading, and the voting teaches children to discriminate between different books, Knierim said.
Haylee Fracht, who has read 16 of the 20 books, won't finish the school year without reading the remaining four. Fracht, 11, said she learned a lot from many of the books. In "The School Story" she learned about the publishing industry, in "The Graduation of Jake Moon" she learned about Alzheimer's disease and in "Dear Whiskers" she learned that people in Saudi Arabia use a calendar different from hers'.
Children had to read at least five books to vote for a favorite book from the list of 20. Students were also given tests, which quizzed their knowledge of the material.
"They were hard," fifth-grader Lori Bishop said.
Danielle Carr, 11, most enjoyed "Ereth's Birthday," about a porcupine who adopts orphaned baby foxes. Carr felt the story promoted friendship among animals (and people) that have differences.
"You should love other people even if they are different than you," the fifth-grader said. "Some people care about color."
The school winner was "The Mysterious Matter of I.M. Fine," about a mystery writer whose books have a physical effect on readers.
Previous winners include "Superfudge" by Judy Blume and "There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom" by Louis Sachar.
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http://www.thetandd.com/articles/2003/02/03/news/pm4.prt
Young astronauts mourn Columbia victims
By SAMIRA JAFARI, Associated Press Writer
SMYRNA, Ga., USA, Feb 3, 03-When 10-year-old Tyler Brantley settled into his classroom Monday morning, he almost choked up when his teacher handed him a black arm band to mourn the victims of the space shuttle Columbia.
Children around the country grieved for the crew Monday, but for Brantley and the other 49 fifth graders in Russell Elementary's space center program, Saturday's tragedy hit particularly hard. All year, the students have prepared for a simulated launch in a huge model of a space shuttle.
And Brantley, one of the five student "astronauts" for the mission, said Saturday's explosion didn't make him change his mind about trying to become a real astronaut someday.
"I am going to try, I'm really going to try," he said.
On May 8, Brantley will suit up in an orange suit much like the NASA astronauts wear and spend 27 hours in the simulator -- complete with a bathroom -- with four other students. The rest of the group will staff the simulated mission control.
Laster said he's been asked if the launch will be canceled, but he said the mission will go on as planned.
"What they would have wanted is for us to keep exploring," Laster said.
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http://www.richmond-news.com/021103/lifestyles.html
Kids flock to Year of the Ram party
By Michelle Hopkins
CANADA, Feb3, 03 Blair elementary was transformed into a cultural oasis Thursday in celebration of Chinese New Year.
The ceilings were adorned with bright red lanterns, the walls plastered with diamond-shaped pieces of red paper, called couplets, which were inscribed with various Chinese characters.
A beautiful plum blossom tree - which symbolizes courage and hope - stood as a reminder that spring isn't far off.
School principal Bob McLean said more than 20 Asian parents spent hours preparing for the all-day festival. Grace Wong spearheaded the event which, she said, was yet another way to bridge cultural gaps.
"Because Canada is multi-cultural, it's good to introduce to the children in the school to our culture," Wong said. "Also, if the children understand more about us, they will grow up more tolerant of other cultures."
The Chinese New Year, based on the lunar calendar, starts today and runs until Feb. 15. It's the most important festival for Chinese people around the world.
Grade 6 student Ashley Coady enjoyed trying out the pinwheel and tops, proclaiming them "very cool."
"It's really neat because you get to see what kind of stuff Chinese kids do on New Year's," Coady said. "I liked the toy section and writing calligraphy. It's fun learning about another culture."
Micah Au, 11, whose parents immigrated from Hong Kong, said his family observes some of the Chinese New Year traditions, but not all. "I didn't know there were so many Chinese toys and I learned how to make Chinese desserts," he said. "I think it's very important to have a day like this because the Caucasians and non-Asian students can learn about Chinese culture and awareness... to stop people from being racist."
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