Play is not just a fun pastime for kids; it is essential for their overall development. Through play, children explore the world around them, experiment with ideas, and build crucial skills that will set them up for success in life. This comprehensive guide delves into the multifaceted benefits of play for a child's cognitive, emotional, social, and physical development. Cognitive Development Enhancing Creativity Play stimulates a child's imagination, allowing them to explore new ideas and scenarios. Activities like building with blocks or creating stories foster creativity by encouraging problem-solving and critical thinking. In this way, young children develop social skills, learn to express emotions, and build confidence. These experiences provide a safe space for experimenting and learning, laying the foundation for innovative thinking and cognitive growth throughout their lives. Problem-Solving Skills Through play, kids encounter challenges that require problem-solving. Engaging with puzzles, board games, and make-believe scenarios helps develop their critical thinking skills and ability to find solutions. Read more: How to Teach Students to Accept and Overcome Academic Failures These activities also teach patience, persistence, and adaptability. Additionally, play enhances memory and cognitive flexibility, allowing children to approach problems from various angles. This hands-on learning prepares them for real-life situations, fostering resilience and a proactive mindset. Language Development Engaging in play, especially with peers, encourages young children to communicate effectively. They learn new words, sentence structures, and conversational skills, enhancing their language abilities. Play also teaches kids to listen, share ideas, and negotiate, which are crucial for social interaction. Through storytelling, role-playing, and collaborative games, a child can expand their vocabulary and understanding of language nuances, building a strong foundation for future communication and literacy skills. Boosting Memory and Attention Span Games that require concentration and recall, such as memory cards, help improve a child's memory and attention span. These activities challenge young children to remember patterns, sequences, or instructions, thereby enhancing their cognitive abilities. Read more: Sibling Bullying and Abuse: Reasons, Types, Signs and Prevention Engaging in such games, kids learn to focus for extended periods, sharpen their observation skills, and develop strategies for retention. This mental exercise supports academic learning and promotes effective learning habits and problem-solving skills.

As winter rolls in, it brings cold waves and fog. In chilly weather, kids may catch cold and fall ill more frequently. However, there are some secret weapons to combat these seasonal maladies: immunity-boosting winter drinks! Discovering tasty and healthy options to fortify children's immunity can make winter an enjoyable journey. Let's explore palatable winter drinks that not only tantalise the taste buds of children but also serve as shields against sickness during the cold months. 10 Delicious Immunity-Booster Winter Drinks for Children Turmeric Milk  Turmeric milk is known for its medicinal properties. This drink blends the beneficial properties of turmeric and warm milk. To prepare, heat a cup of milk first. Then add half a teaspoon of turmeric powder, a pinch of black pepper, and a dash of honey to the milk. Simmer the mixture for a few minutes, then strain before consumption. This golden elixir boasts curcumin which is renowned for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Consuming turmeric milk helps bolster the immune system, aiding in the prevention of winter ailments like colds and flu. Its natural healing properties provide relief from sore throats, coughs, and other seasonal maladies.  Read more: 10 Types of Natural Honey: A Guide to Varieties, Benefits, and Uses Vegetable Soup Vegetable soup, a wholesome blend, incorporates an array of vegetables like carrots, spinach, tomatoes, and onions. Simmer these veggies in a broth, then season with some herbs and spices. This nutritious soup is filled with a plethora of nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, fortifying kids' natural immune systems and aiding in preventing colds and flu. The warmth, nourishment, and hydration provided by this soup make it an appealing and immunity-boosting choice to keep kids healthy while relishing an appetizing meal.  Orange Carrot Juice A vibrant and refreshing drink, orange carrot juice is a burst of immunity-boosting nutrients. Combine equal parts of carrot and orange juices for a rich blend of vitamin C and beta-carotene. These ingredients can fortify the immune system, essential in shielding kids from winter ailments. Read more: Superfoods: Worth the Hype?  The juice's high vitamin content bolsters immunity, warding off cold and flu during colder months. The antioxidants in this juice act as a defence mechanism, aiding in preventing illnesses, while its delicious taste makes it kid-friendly. Pumpkin Seed Milk Pumpkin seed milk is another delightful way to keep winter ailments at bay for the little ones. This remedy involves blending soaked pumpkin seeds with water and straining the mixture. Rich in zinc, antioxidants, and omega-3s, it safeguards kids against winter sickness.  This nutritious vegan delight acts as a shield against seasonal ailments by fortifying the body's defence mechanisms. Its high zinc content aids in immune response, while antioxidants combat free radicals. Providing a wealth of nutrients, including magnesium and vitamin E, pumpkin seed milk contributes to overall health, offering an extra layer of winter protection. Read more: Prospects of Safe Broiler Chicken Farming Fruit Smoothies Organic fruits are loaded with vitamins, antioxidants, and essential nutrients. Preparing smoothies involves blending a variety of fruits such as berries, bananas, and oranges, with a splash of yoghurt or milk. Each sip is a celebration of the body's strength. The fruit medley provides a powerhouse of vitamins C and E, crucial for fortifying their defences and warding off colds. Its richness in antioxidants aids in fighting off infections, ensuring a tasty and convenient way for kids to stay healthier during colder months.  

According to the Dalai Lama, “Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries.” Care means offering aid or support to individuals experiencing hardship or requiring assistance. Compassion is empathizing and experiencing the feelings of others in order to develop a deep understanding and empathy for their emotions. It includes patience, wisdom, kindness, warmth, perseverance, and determination. Like adults, care and compassion is deeply associated with the overall well-being of children. If you want your child to grow up as a caring, empathetic and compassionate person, try these 10 tips.  10 Tips for Parents to Develop Empathy and Compassion in Kids Believe in Your Child  Belief plays a significant role in shaping children's behavior. Constant maintenance of a positive attitude towards children is crucial for establishing enduring and harmonious relationships with them in the long run. It requires daily attention and effort to foster a stable and positive connection. If parents trust in their children’s willingness to help for others' well-being, it will grow confidence in kids. Children are perceptive to these emotions and react accordingly. Sensing positivity they respond positively.  Read more: Helicopter Parenting: Signs, Pros, Cons and How to Change Practice Empathy and Compassion Creating an environment where people feel valued encourages children to observe and practice positive attitudes. Parents bear the primary responsibility for their children’s attitude and conduct. Children learn by observing their parents' actions and words, therefore it is essential for parents to actively practice these virtues themselves.  By being loving parents and exemplary role models, parents can contribute to raising their kids as remarkable and accepting individuals. Ultimately, parents' actions and behavior greatly influence their children's development into compassionate and empathetic individuals. Stay Conscious about the Impact of Media  Children are often influenced by TV shows, internet contents, commercial advertisements, entertainment media and social sharing networks. It is essential for parents to have explicit conversations with their kids about the potential consequences of social media and offensive words which bring regrettable actions.  Parents should be aware of what kinds of TV shows or internet content their children watch. In  friendly ways, parents can discuss with their kids about the cons of watching malicious content. Read more: How to raise happy, confident, strong girls  Limiting the screen time of kids, parents can encourage them to read story books and novels that suit the age-level of their children. Moreover, teaching children about the limitations of communication through the internet and social media is crucial. Parents need to help the kids understand that without facial expressions and vocal tone, misunderstandings and hurt feelings can easily occur. Practice Gratitude Each human on earth has some sort of sorrows, unfulfilled desires, and dissatisfactions. Still, we need to show gratitude to life for what life has given to us. It is essential to lead a positive life. Parents can share with their kids what they are grateful about for that day. Young children can accept it as a positive example for them to follow. When children face challenges or danger, they will have trust in others and know that they are not alone in this world. Ultimately, they will learn to be grateful for everything and do the same for others.  Read more: How to entertain an unwell child without screen time Be the Role Model Parents are the primary educators for their children. So, it is essential to be role models. Parents’ actions are more significant than their words. Children can comprehend the differences between actions and words. Parents can show care and compassion for others through small gestures. Practicing empathy in real life is important so that children can realize and follow it. For instance, offering a helping hand to a distressed friend can convey kindness in a simple yet powerful way. Besides these, the parents need to be cautious about their words while criticizing another person. Because, parents are sending messages to kids about how to treat others.  Read more: How to deal with your demanding child?

When a child is coughing constantly, it is a thing of concern for the parents. Usually, a child's cough is nothing to worry about as it can be caused by a common cold that happens by changes in seasons and weather. However, try to avoid a cough suppressant for your kids without consulting a doctor, as it is not safe for them. Instead, you can try some safe, natural home remedies for cough for children. These tips can help a sick child feel relaxed. 11 Ways to Treat Your Kid’s Cough Naturally Honey According to research honey is better than medicine for relieving coughs. Honey also helps a sick kid sleep better. However, honey is safe and better for children aged 1 and older. Kids also love to take honey as it tastes good. Dark honey like buckwheat works best because it's higher in antioxidants.  But if it becomes difficult to find buckwheat honey, you can take any natural honey. Natural honey is also great for its potent antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties can go a long way in soothing a sore throat.  Remember, you need to give ½  teaspoon to children who are ages 1 to 5 years and 1 teaspoon to kids ages 6 to 11. If your child won't love to take honey directly, you can add it to warm water, herbal tea, or warm milk. But make sure you avoid this remedy for kids under 1. Read More: Motivating Kids to Study, Do Homework, Get Good Grades: Know Secret Ways Chicken Noodle Soup It is an old folk remedy: Studies have shown that chicken soup has anti-inflammatory elements and its warm temperature can soothe sore throats. Besides,  it acts as a vaporizer and helps to release mucus in the nasal passages which ultimately can relieve a stuffy nose. You will get the magic in the soup that comes from the perfect balance of electrolytes, which help keep your kids hydrated. Moreover, the protein and carbohydrates available in chicken soup are a perfect meal for anyone who feels icky. Your lovely kids can feel like a warm hug with a bowl of chicken soup.  Stay Hydrated Make sure the kid drinks enough water to help prevent dehydration. Warm liquids is an excellent cough remedy for toddler because they thin out mucus and makes it easier to cough up. Besides, liquids pacify a raw throat and keep your little one hydrated and happy. Read More: Teaching Young Kids Household Chores: 10 Easy Steps Researchers at the Common Cold Center at Cardiff University have shown that hot drinks are the most effective at soothing cold and flu symptoms. Hot drinks may relieve symptoms including runny nose, cough, sneezing, sore throat, chills, and fatigue. On the contrary, a warm or room temperature drink had fewer benefits they can relieve a runny nose, coughing, and a sore throat temporarily. However, cold drinks are also helpful because they can numb a sore throat while helping to hydrate at the same time. But avoid drinking ice-cold juice as they are highly acidic the acidity increase discomfort in the throat.  Cool-mist humidifier You can keep a cool-mist humidifier in your kid’s room to help unfasten chest and nasal congestion. It is a great remedy for nighttime coughing. USA’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says a cool air humidifier is used unitedly with other treatments like rest, drinking plenty of fluids, and consuming honey. Read More: Dyslexia: How to help kids with this learning disability When other properties won't cure the cause, a humidifier will surely help your little one feel a little better, especially at night when coughing may be worse. Salt water gargle One of the most natural and simplest kid’s cough remedies is salt water gargle. Just mix a half teaspoon of salt with eight ounces of water, then give your child to gargle the solution. It eases the throat irritation that often comes with coughing. But this should only be given to older kids.  Salt water helps the tissue in the upper respiratory tract tend to become inflamed from excess mucus and fluids, causing coughing and soreness. 

Pizza which has a long history was first introduced in 997 AD in Gaeta in Italy. Then this food was found in different parts of Central and Southern Italy. Mainly the Italians and emigrants in these regions used to eat Pizza. The ancient Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks used to eat flatbreads with toppings just like pizza. The modern pizza was found in Naples, Italy, in the 18th or early 19th century. Pizza is a very healthy, tasty, and nutritious recipe that you can prepare at home. Let’s find out 5 hearty pizza recipes for kids.  5 Healthy Pizza Recipes for Children  Pizza with Tomato Sauce Recipe Ingredients 300g flour (white bread), ½ cup flour for dusting, 1 tsp yeast, 1 tbsp olive oil For the tomato sauce One tbsp olive oil, 2 garlic cloves ( Chopped), 200ml (passata). Read More: 5 Yummy Healthy Green Pea Recipes for Kids For the topping 8 mozzarella pearls, halved a small bunch of fresh basil.

Children's diets should include green, healthy, and nutritious vegetables to get the essential minerals, nutrients, and vitamins. Though kids are usually reluctant to eat vegetables, they can't ignore certain delicious vegetables like green peas. Children over six months can consume foods prepared with green peas. You can try various recipes with healthy green peas at home that your kids will love. Let’s check here 5 mouth-watering, hearty, and tasty green peas recipes for kids.   Food value of Green Pea or Motor Shuti Green peas are enriched with vitamins A, C, K, C, B1, and B6. They are also an excellent source of folate and niacin which is a wonderful addition to your kid’s diet. Besides, green peas have considerable amounts of iron and fiber, thiamine, manganese, and phosphorus. From ½ cup or 170-gram peas, you get calories: 62, carbs: 11 grams, fiber: 4 grams, and Protein: 4 grams. Health Benefits of peas -Good source of plant-based protein: help for making red blood cells and transporting oxygen around the body. -May improve blood sugar management: nutrients like magnesium, B vitamins, and vitamin C in peas help support blood sugar management. -May support digestive health: fiber in peas supports digestive health and fuels the beneficial gut microbes and reduces the risk of a number of conditions including obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. -May support heart health: magnesium, potassium, and calcium in peas vitamin C are heart protective and support cardiovascular function.  -May be cancer protective: high antioxidant levels of peas may reduce the risk of cancer.  Read More: Easy Chicken, Beef and Mutton Nihari Recipes Everyone Will Love 5 Healthy and Yummy Green Pea Recipes for Kids Green Peas Pancake Recipe Ingredients 1 cup green peas, 1 whole zucchini, 2 medium bananas, 1 tsp olive oil, 1/2 cup flour, 1 tbsp baking powder, 1/4 tsp salt Instructions First, blend green peas, zucchini, bananas, vanilla extract, and oil together. Now, take a mixing bowl and mix well flour, baking powder, and salt.  Then combine together the zucchini mixture with the dry ingredients and prepare the batter very well. Take a pan, put 1½ tbsp batter on the pan and make it a round shape and bake on both sides well. Serve with syrup (maple). Read More: Mouth-watering Chotpoti, Fuchka, Tamarind Chatney Recipes for Home Kitchens

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

Two children drowned at Subidpur and Toragor villages in Hajiganj upazila on Sunday.In Subidpur, a seven-year-old girl drowned in a pond while plucking water lily at Sibidpur Uttar Para in the upazila.The deceased was identified as Sumaiya Akter, daughter of Rumon of the area. Also read: Two siblings drown in PanchagarhSumaiya along with some of her friends went to the pond to collect water lilly around 4pm. At one stage, Sumaiya went missing.On information, a diver team from Chandpur Fire Service went to the spot and recovered the body, said Abu Mohammad Sajedul Kabir Joardar, an officer of Hajiganj Fire Station.The body was sent to Chandpur District Hospital morgue for an autopsy, Jubayer Sayed, officer-in-charge (OC) of Chandpur Police Station, said. Also read: Over 14,000 children die in Bangladesh due to drowning every yearIn another incident, a twenty-month toddler, Mohammad Hossain, son of Md Sharif Hossain in Toragor area of the upazila, slipped into a pond around 3pm while playing.Locals spotted his floating body in the afternoon.He was rushed to Hajiganj Upazila Health Complex where doctors declared him dead, said Golam Maola, health and family planning officer of the Health Complex.

Bangladesh has received 1.5 million doses of pediatric Pfizer Covid-19 vaccines donated by the United States. This is the first shipment of specially formulated Covid-19 vaccines to protect children between the ages of 5-11 from the coronavirus. More vacancies are scheduled to arrive in the coming weeks, according to the US Embassy in Dhaka. Read: Children aged 5-12 to be vaccinated soon: Health Minister USAID is providing support to train health workers to administer these vaccines safely and effectively, enabling the government of Bangladesh to begin rolling out a Covid-19 vaccination campaign for kids ages 5 and older in the coming weeks. The United States has now donated nearly 74 million doses of Covid vaccines with more on the way.

Six children drowned in Jashore, Chapainawabganj and Dinajpur districts on Monday. In Jashore, three children drowned in a pond at Srirampur village in Bagharpara upazila around 12:30 pm when they were taking bath. The deceased were identified as Toma,8, daughter of Harun Molla, Sumaiya, 8, daughter of Kamrul Islam, and Hosain,5, son of Syed Molla from Srirampur village. Firoz Uddin, officer-in-Charge of Bagharpara police station, said locals rescued the bodies and took to upazila health complex where doctors announced them dead on arrival. Also read: DU student drowns in dormitory pond In Chapainawabganj, two children drowned in a pond in Tikrampur Madhyapara area of the municipality at noon. The deceased were identified as Didar Ahmed,5, son of Delwar Hossain of the area and Tisha,4, daughter of Mohammad Hossain. Didar and Tisha slipped into the pond near their house around 12pm while playing beside it, said Mozaffar Hossain, officer-in-charge (OC) of Chapainawabganj Sadar police station. Locals found the floating bodies of the two children and took them to Chapainawabganj Sadar hospital where doctors declared the duo dead, the OC added. In Dinajpur, A minor child drowned in a pond in Nawabganj upazila of the district in the morning. The deceased was Taslima, 2, daughter of Tara Mandal of Haripur Mandbachan village of Golapganj union. According to the locals, Taslima was playing near a pond adjacent to her house around 10am and fell into the pond. Also read: Cop drowns in Satkhira pond Family members rescued her and took her to Upazila Health Complex where doctors declared her dead, said Ferdous Wahid, officer-in-charge, of Nawabganj police station.