All you need is a spark of creativity to get started. Your ideas will begin to bloom once you’ve done so.

These are thoughts of Sharvanth, a 13-year-old student of SSM Senior Secondary School, Chennai. At this young age he is the author of 3 books, a Josh Talk Tamil Speaker, an India Book of Records Holder for “youngest to write adventures of a detective” and Content writer.

His reading journey began at the tender age of seven when he received a few volumes of books on soldiers from an acquaintance. His affinity and curiosity about the subject were further kindled by these. Encouraged by his mother he started reading classics and novels. This also helped him in taking the first steps towards his writing career.

He published his first book “The Abysmal Thief and Other Stories” at the age of 11 years, followed by “The Devious Person” at 12 years old and “The Magical Blitz” at 13.

The first book contains seven short stories as well as two fables. It has seven stories that follow Rohan, a charming private detective, on his adventures and 2 fables. The second book “The Devious Person’ is a fiction novel. The third book “The Magical Blitz” is a sequel to the detective stories.

Sharvanth has not limited himself to the art of writing only. He has been interviewing many young Achievers and chronicling their achievements through his articles. He has also been an active participant in many other varied formats like short film making, storytelling, article writing, essay writing, coding et al and shown exemplary performance in all.

He has won many prestigious awards for his literary talent. A few prominent ones are –

1. Felicitate by His excellency Governor RN Ravi for his achievements on his writings
2. Young Achiever’s award from Naturals Salons and Spa
3. State level Competition wins for story telling & essay writing
4. Guest Speaker at Josh Talk Tamil – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnQ4Tr7wUOU
5. Featured in Eenadu newspaper
6. Interview with Thanthi TV – https://youtu.be/JSrVA7UyPO8

Sharvanth believes in “Hard Work Never Fails”. His foray into writing has taught him many things like –

1. Every journey to success has both ups and downs.
2. Reading opens your mind and unleashes your potential.
3. Not age but limitations of the mind are a deterrent.
4. There is always room for improvement and development.

Sharvanth’s writing journey can be a stimulant for many kids who have a flair for writing. The sheer passion exuded by this young achiever lets us know that “If u believe in self, work incessantly to achieve a goal, success is the outcome”

We hope Sharvath’s journey gives rise to many such young achievers in the future.

Links to Sharvanth’s Books on Flipkart & Amazon –

https://www.amazon.in/dp/B08TVXJRD5

use this link to purchase the kindle version of the book The Abysmal Thief and Other Stories

https://www.amazon.in/dp/B09WYT619Y

use this link to purchase the kindle version of the book

https://www.amazon.in/dp/B0BH4WBXNL

use this link to purchase the kindle version of the book The Magical Blitz

Flipkart Links.

https://dl.flipkart.com/s/metp2kNNNN Devious Person

https://dl.flipkart.com/s/TCU410uuuN The Abysmal Thief and Other Stories

https://dl.flipkart.com/s/m0qfxANNNN The Magical Blitz

If the world of magic, gods & Demi gods, spells and constant suspense entices you, this book is for you. A world of magic like Harry Potter but standing on its own Rick Riordan has made the character of Percy Jackson a house hold name. The popularity of the book series can be gauged by the fact that it has been made into movie series too.

This book was published in 2005. It is first in the Percy Jackson and The Olympians series. The books start off with a boy named Percy Jackson who suffers from dyslexia and ADHD. He has a very soft-hearted mom, Sally Jackson but a very rude, arrogant and lazy step-dad, Gabe Ugliano. Percy also has a very good friend, Grover Underwood. One day, their English teacher goes absent for the day, so a substitute English teacher was invited, who turned out to be a monster hunting down Percy because he was believed to have stolen the lightning bolt. Percy was confused as to what was happening.

Later, with the help of Grover and one of his teachers (who was called ‘Chiron’ in the magical world), he found out that the world of Greek Gods was all real. Percy was not a normal human child, he was a demigod, the offspring of a god and a human. The lightning bolt of Zeus was stolen and almost everyone in the world were suspecting Percy Jackson to have stolen it. Grover and Percy’s mother decided to take him to the camp of demigods, Camp Half-Blood. When they were almost in the camp, they were attacked by another monster, who killed Percy’s mother. After he got settled in the camp, he was sent a ‘message by Hades’ that his mother was captured and would be let free if he gives the lightning bolt to him. Was he able to solve all this misunderstanding and commotion between the gods? Was he able to return the bolt safely to Zeus? Read the book to find it out for yourself!

I liked this book a lot, especially because of how unexpected changes occur in the storyline. It was easy to understand and the suspense builds up almost immediately after starting the book. The storyline goes on smoothly throughout the book and all changes still feel ‘attached’ to each other.

I would really recommend this book to others as it is a perfect example as to how much the imagination of a writer can do. It teaches the children about logical thinking, teamwork, hard work and builds up qualities like compassion, helpfulness, creativity etc. Young writers can take a lot of inspiration through this book.

A child’s laughter lights up the entire house. In majority of the Indian homes, the life of parents, grandparents and the extended family revolves around the routine of the children. Outings, picnics, parties even the home-workplace balance is decided according to the routine of the children of the family. Movies often show parents entering their homes into the welcoming hugs of the children. The parents are shown as fresh, even though they are coming from their workplaces. Their faces light up, seeing their children running into the open arms of the parents. The soft music or the lovely Jingle, pleasant to the ears, makes it look like a very pleasant reality. We all wish that this would be the reality but there’s a lot of difference between reality and the reel life. Having children is a dream come true. But believe me, parenting is tough, rather, parenting has always been very tough.

Look back into your childhood and you will realise that, we, adults who are now parents to teenagers, were very difficult with our own parents. Remember the tantrums which we threw over new clothes or the latest sound system? Our parents dealt with all our whims and fancies with elan and patience. There were not many electronics gadgets in those times but we argued over outings with friends and over the landline phone and the restricted calling time to friends. Issues were many and there were many boiling points. Yet, we made through those tumultuous times and can boast of having a very sound relationship with our parents. So now, its our turn to play the role of parents. How do we go about it? How can we balance authority and friendship?

Till the recent past, the onus of bringing up children rested entirely on the women’s shoulders. Women, in every family, played the role of nurturers. Men were discouraged to be close to their children. The authority of the men in the family was supreme. All the molly cuddling was left on the women, whether it was the mother, aunts or the grandmother. Men were aloof, especially from their sons. And then came the Nivea advertisement in the 1990’s which gave birth to the idea of the Nivea man who not only accompanied his children to school at the start of the session but also attended the parent teacher meeting. Suddenly, the Indian man became a friend to his children. The relationship between friend and a parent diminished in the 1990s. Well, a friend is a friend and a parent is a parent. One cannot be a substitute for the other. As Kirron Kher, an actress and a sitting Member of Parliament, once publicly stated in an interview that she was happy being a parent to her actor son, Sikander Kher, as he could change friends but she would like to be a permanent fixture in his life. She firmly believes that she is proud being a parent because Sikander might have many friends but none could take her place. Her, this statement, can serve as a guide to each one of us.

Parents have to walk a tight rope between instilling discipline and the healthy notion of being friends. With more and more children asking for ‘breathing space’ and the western idea of individuality creeping in, children have their own mind-set of spending time. For them the boundary between the virtual and the real world has blurred. Working parents, availability of cash because of double income households and parents who try to substitute their absence with expensive gadgets has only made it difficult for parents as well as the children to bond. If the entry of television into our bedrooms was not enough to stop healthy conversation, the advent of mobile phones with each one of us has only complicated our lives. These gadgets eat into our time. To impose authority and foster discipline parents have to be role model themselves. When the parents are on the mobile phone constantly, it becomes very difficult to make the child understand the concept of family time. To make up for the lost time, parents then try to become friends with their children.

Imagine how confusing it is for the children whose see parents as friends in one moment and as imposing figures the other. The confusion in the mind of the children leads to further complications. Parents have to understand that teenage is the time where there are lot of physical and mental changes going on in the life of every teenager. Children are already going through a lot. We should not complicate the situation further by switching from one role to the other in a jiffy. This is also the time when children need a shoulder on which they can lean upon. The parents have to give this shoulder because misinformation from friends can be more dangerous than no information. It becomes the task of the parents to lessen authority to some extent and at the same time to extend the hand of friendship in a manner that the children see it as a support. The authority of parents can never be surrendered. There are too many elements at work in the society.

With the fast-paced life which is growing by leaps and bounds everyday, children need the support of the parents, not only as parents, but also as confidants in whom they can come and confide their every small problem. There are some matters of the heart. And other issues which cannot be discussed with friends. Parents have to become counsellors in such a situation. The role of parents does not end just by being parents and friends but extends to being teachers, counsellors and companions. The last is the most important because many households are one child households. With no sibling to grow up, the journey of life becomes very lonely. A parent can never substitute the role of a sibling because siblings have their own silly fights and the beautiful making up situation. Parents can never do this. They would look funny. Parents have to decide for themselves and demarcate the line between authority and being friends. A harmonious relationship between the two would help maintain peace in the family and help in the healthy evolution of children into citizens of character and strength.

I was itching to write this for the longest time but one thing after another pushed it on the back-burner, however this time, our young participants jolted me out of a procrastinating reverie and here we are with this much needed article.

Each month we receive a plethora of amazing recitations from wonderful children around the globe. We carefully listen to each entry, give constructive feedback and do our bit in helping these young orators bloom.

While we ensure the feedback to encompass each child’s individual strengths, area of improvement and further guidance, we stress that scores do not matter, participation does.

Performed in full childish splendour, sometimes bumbling, sometimes bustling with energy, sometimes an unintended younger sibling promptly intervening to join them make our hearts brim with bliss. Amid all these joyful moments we feel a little put off when a participant scores less just because of an incorrect choice of poem!

To avoid this here we are with tips and thoughts-

First and foremost is to read the instructions regarding the theme properly; if there’s an ‘OPEN’ theme, it means you can recite a verse of your choice.

But, here lies the catch. Actually two.

One, parents must let them choose a poem which they absolutely adore. This helps in forging an amazing emotional-connect with the audience as the child’s natural appreciation of the poem will spill out in the performance.

Two, a poem which fits in the given time limit, even if approximately, works wonders for the performance. Time limit is designed to let the child ‘stay’ with the judges/audience for sufficient time – enough to bring out the emotions and leave an impact.

If you are participating in a themed contest, then to understand the theme properly is of utmost importance. For example, if the theme is ‘Emotions’ you might choose any poem as there’s hardly a verse without emotions. You can choose ‘Don’t Quit, ‘The Train Journey, The Daffodils’ or anyone with a well-defined emotion at its core.

However, if the theme is spelled as ‘Recite a poem with any ONE emotion- Sadness, Regret, Joy, Anger’ then you must stick to these four emotions only. In this case, ‘Don’t Quit’ won’t fit the bill, so despite a well-expressed recitation with proper voice modulation the participant would miss on ‘Theme Adherence’

Another point to be taken care of is to choose according to the temperament of the child. Each child is different, some have a greater awareness of kinesthetics, others have a heightened sense for phonetics, while some have amazing inbuilt sense for pauses and voice modulation, other just love to recite, be in front of camera or stage…

Choose a poem which highlights the strengths of the child while also allowing to explore other areas of his/her personality.

For example –

Right from early childhood, I was drawn towards the ‘sound of the words’ finding them soft and harsh as per my own childish perception. Hence, I was happier in reciting something with words like ‘dawn, dusk, twilight, umbra and argentum’ instead of ‘daybreak, evening, shadow and silver’, though all these are roughly synonyms.

The feeling of those sounds on my tongue was thrilling, and that excitement reflected in my recitation making it effective. It was so until I grew up and veered towards falling in love with the meaning. Till today these play a significant role when I have to choose a poem for myself.

Similarly, everyone has an inclination which, of course can/might change as we grow, so let’s talk with them, observe and understand their preferences, what light up their faces and spark their imagination… are they happy talking about the Space or Earth?

The vrrooom of cars or the sound of ocean lapping at the shore …

Last but not the least, if we are choosing poems for our children then we must make sure that they identify with the topic and the words are age appropriate. We as parents should also ensure that the child understands it and admires it just the way we do.

That’s the reason there’s no perfect poem, only perfect performances. Anything which fits the theme, gives ample time to be expressive and which they enjoy reciting, is the best for them.

Every parent looks forward to their child entering the schooling system. The preschools have also become a big decision point, the formal schooling from kindergarten / nursery or std 1 is a monumental one.

The fee structure, proximity of school from residence, school timings, transportation facilities would be some of the considerations for the parents. However, the biggest and most important deciding factor is the choice of the school board.

We have many established Indian boards like the State Boards, CBSE and ICSE while other international ones like the IGCSE or IB boards are gaining popularity in the recent times. It would help a parent to know the offerings of each of the boards in order to take the decision.

State Boards

• Their curriculum is set by Department of Education of the respective states of India.
• They give more impetus on the local language while English is restricted as a subject.
• Parents with transferable jobs might face difficulty with this board if have to move out from one state to another. The medium of teaching would change and pose a challenge to the kids.
• The curriculum gives more impetus on understanding of the topics included.
• It offers education from std 1 to 12 with main exams being 10th & 12th boards.

CBSE Board

• This board is approved by Government of India. The curriculum is designed by National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT).
• The board puts a lot of emphasis of learning via activity mode like projects works, creative applications to topics and assignments.
• The syllabus id designed to include co-scholastic activities alike sports and other competitions. It emphasizes on developing a well-rounded personality for kids.
• CBSE accepts both English & Hindi as mediums of teaching.
• The Syllabus remains the same across the nation and is preferred by parents with transferable jobs.
• The major entrance exams like Olympiads, NTSE, IIT, NEET are based on this syllabus. Students studying in CBSE schools have to learn to study with reference books as questions are not limited to text books.
• The most emphasized upon subjects are Science & Maths.
• It offers education from std 1 to 12 with main exams being 10th & 12th boards.

ICSE Board

• The Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) curriculum is designed by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE).
• It is a private board of education.
• The focus is more on language. It gives importance to analytical skills and is detail oriented.
• The range of subjects is more as compared to CBSE. The curriculum has similarities to many foreign boards.
• The board accepts only English as the medium of learning.
• It offers education from std 1 to 12 with main exams being 10th & 12th boards.

IB Board

• IB or International Baccalaureate board is an international education program with its headquarters in Switzerland.
• It offers educational programs for 3–19-year-old students.
• It comprises of 3 programs that are widely available in Indian IB Schools-
  • Primary Years Programme PYP for kids aged 3-12 years
  • Middle Year Programme MYP for kids aged 11-16 years
  • Career related Programs for kids aged 15-19 years
• It does not have prescribed books.
• It gives equal weightage to all the subjects.
• The syllabus stresses upon skill development rather than content-based teaching.
• There is also an increased focus on learning through experimentation.
• The assessment pattern does not depend on term end examinations but year-round assessments.

IGCSE Board (Cambridge Pathway)

• IGCSE or International General Certificate of School Examination also known as Cambridge Pathway is managed by University of Cambridge International examinations.
• It offers educational programs for 3–19-year-old students.
• It offers 3 different programmes –
  • Cambridge Primary for 3+ years
  • Cambridge Lower Secondary for 11+
  • Cambridge Lower Secondary for 14+
• It provides prescribed learnings.
• It gives more emphasis on English and technical learnings.
• It has a wide range of subjects to choose from. It does not compartmentalise the subjects into any streams.
• It is beneficial for parents who might have overseas job demands or are needed to travel internationally.
• The impetus is on creative learning and individual thinking rather than theoretical learning.

All boards have their advantages and limitations. It is for the parent to choose, which might be decided by many factors apart from the ones mentioned above. It would be advisable to consider individual requirements rather than following herd mentality when taking such decisions. For, every child is unique and deserves the best.

The School Board Conundrum is best sorted out when the child’s interests are at the heart of decision making.

Music can be found anywhere and everywhere. In the summer, the scorching sun, the hot and humid weather, and the sound of cold water as it fills the tub or bucket is the most calming. Nothing is more appealing than cooling off as water that splashes you in entirety.

Water has an uncanny quality of calming a person. You can look at it, listen to it, drink it, bathe with it, or simply have fun with it. Now that spring is here, and summers are right around the corner, water will have a newfound significance.

This characteristic of water can be very useful in the month of March. A dreaded month for all youngsters with exams being carried out everywhere, and stress levels are going through the roof. As a solution, simply listening to the water flowing or falling can increase your concentration drastically.

While taking a bath is frequently an unpleasant exercise in the winter, it is an eagerly anticipated activity in the summer. Imagine jumping into a tank of water with your friends on a hot day or going for a swim in your favourite theme park with your loved ones.

The splashing of water in theme parks excites and awakens the inner water baby in every one of us. The fervour with which we walk in that direction, followed by the exhilaration of waiting in a queue to ride our favourite rollercoaster is completely unmatched.

Come to think of it, why do all places of entertainment have a water body? Are fountains in malls, hotels, and airports only meant for the beautification of a place? The sound of moving water is registered as a non-threatening sound which allows our brain to relax, and rejuvenate. Water fountains in hotels not only add charm to the place but also add to the playfulness of the environment.

Another purely nature-centric scenario can be going on a picnic and sitting next to a stream, river bank or a lake enjoying your favourite snack to nod off after having a hearty lunch. Such experiences with loved ones cannot be duplicated.

The sound of water falling on to any surface is therapeutic. Irrespective of whether they are raindrops splattering on the roof or a waterfall smashing to the ground, the sound of water splashing on a surface awakens our senses. Having a cup of hot chocolate on a rainy day with nice crispy snacks can make our day.

The sheer joy accompanied by the realisation of having a weekday off because it is pouring is blissful. The first thing to be done in such a situation is to make paper boats, and bid these “kishtis” farewell in the rainwater.

On the other hand, the ear-splitting sound of a waterfall crashing with sheer force can help us understand the power and raw might of nature. As a result, if raindrops can stimulate our senses and rain can cancel school, then the raucous noise of a downpour can startle and awaken us at the same time.

The largest water body on the planet is the ocean and is known for its vastness. On a high tide, the sound of the waves crashing against a wall can be frightful.

Millions of different types of sea life call the ocean home. The mighty blue whale, also the biggest mammal on the planet, lives in the deep blue sea. One can only imagine how daunting yet amazing it must be to experience the sound of waves combined with the cry of a blue whale.

While, not all of us are able to spend as much time in nature as we would like, technology can be very useful in bringing us closer to it. So next time you are stressed and worried about your score, go to YouTube and simply listen to various tunes offered by nature through its water bodies.

Nature has given us a lot to satisfy our five senses. It depends on our perspective towards things and how we can use technology to our advantage to take us closer to the natural world.