Children's illustrated book on Diwali making its mark in Canadian and American Markets

Ved and Friends Celebrate Dussehra and Diwali is a great children’s book which tells the readers of all the different reasons and religions, celebrate the same day. Diwali is one of the most celebrated Hindu festivals across the globe, but it isn’t celebrated for the same reasons even within the Hindu community!

    
  
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The book Ved and Friends talks about these various reasons the festivities are celebrated, and it’s a great way to introduce children to South Asian Culture and literature. The book was officially launched at the Consul General of India Office on Monday September 25^th 2017, by the Honourable Consul  General of India, Mr. Dinesh Bhatia. The book has been on Amazon’s Top 10 Bestsellers list since its availability in the market.

Ved and Friends is on the Top Ten Bestseller List on Amazon's Book on Indian Culture

Having moved to Ontario, Canada in 2009, Author Diksha Pal Narayan has worked in the Canadian and Indian Television industries before taking a sabbatical from work to be a stay at home mother to her child who she and her husband were blessed with in 2013. While trying to maintain a healthy balance between her cultural heritage and life in Canada, she was unable to find relatable content to read to her son which was entertaining, informative and attractive to a young child. So when you don’t see what you want, you create it yourself, and that’s exactly what she did! Coming from a culturally diverse family herself where she is originally from a small mountain retreat in the Himalayas, her husband hails from the southern province of Kerala in India. The couple were from the same country, had the same religion but that’s where all similarities ended as they spoke different languages and the same festivities had different reasons for celebrations for them. When they had their son Ved, they thought of going a step further and including ALL the festivities into their son’s life thus giving birth to the idea of the book- Ved and Friends Celebrate Dussehra and Diwali.

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People have asked Diksha why would you need to write a book about these festivities, when there is so much information available about it on the net? She responds, “Why not? There probably is information about a lot of things on the internet, but the joy of holding a book in your hand, engaging with your children, talking to them, reading to them is a joy I was blessed with as a child and I would love to give today’s generation the same opportunity to experience. Dussehra and Diwali are festivals which roughly span for 20 days while the preparations make it a whole month affair, so why not teach our children the reason we celebrate it. Our Bengali friend celebrates Durga Puja during the time we celebrate Golu Festival while our Gujarati friends celebrate Navratri and dance the garba during the 9-day festival leading up to Dussehra. Why not tell our kids about the reasons why their friends celebrate the same day as we do?”

“Look around you, your neighbourhood, your place of work, the schools your kids go to- it’s proof of our diversity and multiculturalism is in the Canadian blood. With this book, I hope to teach children about the diversity we have in our culture too, and the short stories with morals in them hopefully when taught at an early age can help them make better decisions in life to come,” adds Diksha.

This year Navratri is between 19th of September until the 30th of September.

Dusshera is on the 30th of September.

Diwali is on the 19th of October. 

To know more about the book please visit www.dikshapnarayan.com

Phone: 647.990.7801

Email  | Facebook | Youtube 

Diksha is available for interview to talk about the book Ved and Friends Celebrate Dussehra and Diwali, the festival of Diwali, and multiculturalism and diversity are seen in the festivities.

Thank you for your time.

Diksha

Diksha Pal Narayan

Author,

Ved and Friends Celebrate:

Dussehra and Diwali

Call: 647-990-7801 

StarBuzzOnline

Changes to Regulations Will See Age Increased for Dependent Child

May 3, 2017—Ottawa, ON – The Government of Canada has published regulatory changes to increase the maximum age of a dependent child which will allow more families to stay together. This change showcases the Government’s commitment to family reunification.

New Ontario Student Grant Making Tuition Free for Tens of Thousands of Students

College and University Becoming More Accessible and Affordable

NEWS	March 1, 2016

Ontario is making college and university more accessible and affordable for low- and middle-income students and their families through the single-largest modernization ever of the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP). 

Premier Kathleen Wynne was at Jarvis Collegiate in Toronto today to present details about the new Ontario Student Grant, which was announced in the 2016 Budget. Under the new grant program, the government will replace a number of existing provincial assistance programs with a single, targeted, non-repayable Ontario Student Grant starting in the 2017-18 academic year. The changes to OSAP will make average tuition free for more than 150,000 eligible low- and middle-income students, and will reduce the cost for many more by:

• Providing the majority of eligible students whose parents earn the median annual income of $83,300 or less with enough in grants to more than cover their tuition costs
• Eliminating provincial student loan debt for eligible students whose parents earn less than $50,000
• Ensuring that no eligible student receives less non-repayable aid through the new grant than they currently do through the 30% Off Ontario Tuition Grant.

The Ontario Student Grant will provide additional support for full-time mature and married students, and eligibility will no longer be tied to the number of years a student has been out of high school. This predictable, upfront grant will allow families to plan for their education on the basis of net price — the difference between the sticker price of tuition and what a student actually needs to pay. The government will work closely with the postsecondary sector to develop planning tools that more accurately calculate the net tuition and net price of a university or college education.

7 Ways to Accident Proof Your Child and Your Home

Every parent knows that sound, yet dreads it. Your child has just gone off like a fire truck siren, crying and shrieking at the top of their lungs because they got a "boo-boo." Granted, most accidents don't require a 3 a.m. trip to the emergency room, but anything you can do as a parent to cut down or eliminate common childhood accidents will make everyone happier and healthier. Here are 7 tips to keep your child out of harm's way, courtesy of Parenting.com.

Supermarket Safety

Riding in the cart basket or hanging off the end of the cart may seem like a rite of passage, but it can lead to trouble. In 2005, more than 17,000 American children under age 6 were treated in emergency rooms for injuries related to such hijinks, and most were head or neck injuries. Instead, always strap your child into the seat until they are too big (or too independent!) to be confined. Bring along toys, books and snacks. Take advantage of those little car-shaped carts (they're low and don't tip easily). Mini-carts are also great for getting little kids to walk along and "help" you shop.

Chore Time

 Little kids are sneaky and can get injured in a blink, even when you're right there. Whenever you're doing anything that's potentially hazardous, such as unloading a steaming dishwasher or using caustic cleaning chemicals, take a minute to settle your child in a playpen or high chair with their favorite toy or snack before you get started. Also keep in mind that the most common time for accidents is during meal preparation, so don't be shy about asking your spouse to stir the pasta sauce while you play peek-a-boo with your child.

Home security tips for after-school safety

 

TORONTO– When school lets out for the day, many children may be coming home to an empty house and as a parent, there are several precautions you can take to ease your worries while they’re home alone.

Weiser, manufacturers of innovative, high quality and secure door locksets, recommend simple, common sense home security when it comes to keeping your home safe.

“On average, more than 50 percent of home break-ins are through an unlocked door,” said Steve Kolobaric, Marketing Manager, Weiser. “Keeping your door locked is an easy step you can take, whether you’re inside or outside of the house. With a few other proactive steps, you can add an additional layer of security and comfort for you and your children.”

Weiser suggests the following security tips to help keep your home safe this September when your kids are coming home after school:

Stay in touch - Ask your children to check in as soon as they arrive home or leave the house.  Staying connected, despite the distance, ensures that you know their whereabouts at all times and they know you’re always just a phone call, email or text message away.

Install a keyless door lock - A lockset that doesn’t require a key, which can be easily lost, makes your children’s lives easier. The SmartCode 10 Touchscreen lets you or your children into the house by inputting an easy four to eight digit code, while the Kevo Smart Lock can open the door with a smartphone. If your child doesn’t have a smartphone, you can put a Kevo key fob in his or her backpack, which will allow them to simply touch the keyhole to open the door.

Have a routine - When your child comes home, make sure they turn on the lights and make it look like someone is home. Burglars like unoccupied homes so ifthey see that someone is around they are more likely to move along. It’s also important to talk to your children in advance about what to do when the phone rings or if someone comes to the door. 

Lock up items not friendly for kids - Make sure chemicals, cleaners, tools, razor blades and other items not kid-friendly are not left out in the open or get locked away. Consider using a Smartkey Padlock to lock up these dangerous objects, or tokeep your valuables safe from unwelcomed home visitors. The padlocks are bump proof and pick resistant, protect against pry and hammer attacks as well assawing and cutting so when no one is home, the items will remain safely locked up and secure.

Keep kids connected - Post a list of important numbers by the telephone, including parents’ work and cell phone, the doctor's office and a neighbor or a nearby relative who can comeover to help your children quickly if they need it.

Lock up – Before leaving the house in the morning, make sure all doors and windows, including those on the second floor, are locked. If you have a sliding backdoor, place a rod in the track to keep it securely closed. If you have an alarm system, practice arming and de-arming it with your children. Most burglars are looking for an easy target when the homeowner isn’t home and the best line of defense is simply keeping your home locked up.

To learn more about Weiser, visit www.weiserlock.com, like it on Facebook and follow it on Twitter @weiserlock.

About Spectrum Brands

HHI is a division of Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SPB). Spectrum Brands is a global, diversified consumer products company and a leading supplier of consumer batteries, residential locksets, residential builders’ hardware and faucets, shaving and grooming products, personal care products, small household appliances, specialty pet supplies,lawn and garden and home pest control products, and personal insect repellents. Spectrum Brands had net sales of approximately $4.43 billion in fiscal 2014, employs over 13,500 employees worldwide and sells to the top 25 global retailers with products in more than one million stores.

 
StarBuzzOnline

Exercise Offers Hope for ADHD/Prescription Drug Epidemic

The CDC says 6.1% of American children were taking an ADHD medication like Adderall or Ritalin in 2011 (the latest data available), up from 4.8% in 2007. Eleven percent of children were diagnosed with ADHD in 2011, also up from 7.8% in 2003. Despite the well-documented dangers of ADHD drugs (and legitimate questions about the diagnosis), the trend doesn't seem likely to reverse any time soon.  

Healthy Eating for Kids

In many families, planning and preparing meals can help children buy into weight management. Involve children in shopping and food preparation. Have the child start thinking, "I am doing this to be strong and healthy; I am accepting responsibility for my own health and growth." 

Seven Fun Activities That Will Have You Spending More Time With Your Kids

       

     
         (Family Features)  Long days filled with warm weather and sunshine are perfect for packing a picnic, taking a hike or catching fireflies with your kids. Those are just a few great ideas for creating special memories this season. So, check out the list then go soak up the sun and capture a few extra moments of freedom with your children.
Here are a few activities those of all ages can enjoy:
Put a twist on movie night: Summer blockbusters have families flooding theaters in droves. Pack the whole family in the car, pop some corn and catch a drive-in movie. It's an old-fashioned experience every kid should enjoy at least once.

Brampton Library will be hosting St. John Ambulance Babysitting courses during March Break.

The one-day (9:30 am to 4:30 pm) course for 11 to 14 year olds is designed to teach babysitting, leadership and first aid skills in a fun and informative way. It is also an excellent program for teaching emergency skills to students who are occasionally alone at home. Certificates are issued upon completion.

Registration is required at any library branch, beginning February 11, 2013.  Course cost is $40.

 Locations and dates are:

Mount Pleasant Village:            Monday, March 11

Chinguacousy:               Tuesday, March 12

Four Corners:                  Wednesday, March 13

Gore Meadows:               Wednesday, March 13

Cyril Clark:                       Thursday, March 14

 For more information call 905-793-4636 or TTY 1-866-959-9994 or visit your nearest library location.

 StarBuzz, Toronto

Dyslexia is essentially a disorder, within which a baby isn't able to connect the sounds to the letter symbols.

Author: Emily Levy: 

Dyslexia is essentially a disorder, within which a baby isn't able to connect the sounds to the letter symbols. thence they face issues in reading thence learning. The brain of such youngsters doesn't method speedily with the dynamic  sound and thence a baby struggles to browse and spell. Discovering the training incapacity in your kid is that the opening towards serving to him with this disorder. Being a dyslexic doesn't mean a baby is dumb; lots of sensible and intelligent individuals struggle with learning disorder. youngsters with learning disorder will lead a traditional life and had best in life with a correct medical care, learning and encouragement. Symptoms of learning disorder might include:

• Finding issue in sounding out letters and words
• Having issues with recognizing letters
• reading comprehension becomes difficult

Art and its incredible effects on mind - An insight by Meena Chopra

Starry Night by Van Gogh

Author: Meena Chopra
Art House for Kids-Art as healer has always improved the quality of life and mind giving a third dimension to the human personality in many ways. Art is a beautiful thing to be enjoyed, and knowing the powers it can have on the human mind is certainly an added bonus.

Music, dance, painting and other forms of art have shown to have an incredibly significant and positive effect on children and adults both.. 

Art therapy has been used to awaken the senses of underprivileged children through both the viewing and creating of art by them.Through their artistic endeavours they subconsciously associate themselves with their past. The memories come more freely since they are not elicited by direct objects, but indirect thought instead. 

Sun Flower by Van Gogh

Due to many past experiences many children begin to develop nervousness, anxiety, sleeping excessive or too little, a lack of verbal, social and language skills. Many times depending on the color within a piece, or may be some other quality of the artwork, different emotions can be evoked by the observer unknowingly. Awakening of the senses through experimentation with the different types of art these children experience an untapped emotional world within themselves and with this association with their own inner being, they are able to show increased abilities in their cognitive, motor and social skills. 

Many of the most famous pieces in the Pop art movement have utilized popular advertisements that could be easily tied to past memories. Pop art is known very well for its use of bright, vibrant colors. 

Piccaso - Woman with Fan

Pop art is specifically tied to nostalgic thoughts and associations since many of these works utilize old comics, food wrappers, advertisements and other types of found art that people may recognize from past events in their lives.  Pop art is especial useful in helping evoke past memories and gain insight through the use of bright colors. Nostalgic undertones emotions and feelings surrounding past events can be easily conjured up through the study of Pop art.

According to a 2010 study conducted by researchers at the Emory University School of Medicine, viewing paintings as opposed to photographs of similar objects evoked more of a sense of reward within the brain. Participants in the study were shown pieces from different artists such as Van Gogh and Picasso, and then they were showed photographs that depicted very similar objects. When they studied the brains of the participants through imaging technology, the ventrial striatum, which is part of the reward system, became more strongly activated when the participant saw a painting rather then a photograph of a similar object. Even if only momentarily, the memories they experience have shown to increase positive moods and improve their quality of life.

Pop art, for example, impacts different people in different ways. Clearly different aspects of art and the participation in the arts can have a profound and positive effect on the human mind. Most forms of art are able to impact the human mind in one way or another.With its strong ties to commercial consumerism and found art, it is easy to evoke emotion in someone when utilizing the properties of Pop art. But Pop art is not the only type of art that can be used to help stimulate areas of the brain and help in the process of resolving issues. 

Beatles

Bright yellows often evoke a feeling of happiness, which is a very common color in Pop art pieces. For example, if someone is dealing with a childhood trauma, memories from childhood can help them figure out exactly what happened and how to move past it.

Utilizing pop art to delve into past memories can be very therapeutic for many different reasons. Alzheimer's patients are often involved in music therapy, which has shown to help them recover and reconnect with past memories therefore acting as a healer and giving a positive impact to the mind towards their improvement and well being .  

What is most important is to explore the impact art has on the human mind and figure out how to positively harness the impact and minimize any negativity.

 StarBuzz, Toronto

How to Protect Your Kids from Cyber Bullying

Cyber bullying can happen any time of the day. Teenagers use cell phones and computers to harass others by sending malicious text messages, uploading embarrassing photos or videos on websites, or taking over someone's social media profile or creating a new one. Although it takes place in cyberspace, there are several things you can do at home to protect your children from being harassed online. These tips will help you get started.

Prevent Cyber Bullying

You can prevent cyber bullying by knowing what your kids are doing online and establishing certain rules on the use of cell phones and computers. This will help minimize the chances that your teenager will harass someone online or be a victim of cyber bullying.

Self Injury How To Stop This Dangerous Practice

Many wonder why anyone would practice self-injury, as it is painful and dangerous. However, with autistic children, self-injury occurs more often than not. There are several theories as to why this practice can be prevalent in autistic children, and there are some methods you can use to help ease this distressing practice.

Social Media Is Harming Children's Development – What Can Parents Do?

Author: Eugene Lawrence
Social media has become one of the major community developments in the last century. From business to entertainment, the prevalence of social media has penetrated every aspect of society. This significant communication change has alarmed certain researchers, and newly published findings are catching the attention of concerned parents across Australia.

Parenting: Staying Protected In a Baby Chair

StarBuzz Weekly, Toronto-Author: Katie Cantos-When you make a decision that you need to buy your youngster a substantial chair, you have to make confident it is as safe as doable. As you begin to glimpse for a child substantial chair, it is needed to get a person with a 3-stage harness, as this will make sure the baby's security whilst in the higher chair. The three position harness is a series of straps that will lock the little one in place in the superior chair, preventing them from obtaining out and possibly hurting themselves. By their nature, infants like to explore and transfer close to, and as this kind of you need to defend them from accidentally falling out of the high chair - with the aid of the harness, the little one will not be in a position to move around sufficiently to get out. Do not make the blunder of pondering the tray in entrance of them adequately contains them it ought to not substitute as a basic safety harness.

Questions about Kids' Birthday Parties and Answers

StarBuzz Weekly, Toronto-Author: Nanncy Sarah
The key to a gala birthday party great? First, we must remember that in the latest about your child, not anyone. Plan your party around your child's interests the same, and what you're doing the family comfortable.
Start planning for the party at least 4 to 6 weeks in advance so you have plenty of time to take care of everything, if that's what you want to do and are able to do. If the artist has decided to hire a party or reserve a place gala birthday party, and make the calls about three months in advance, to make sure that the date and time that you want available.

Here are some of the most common questions moms ask about planning birthday parties for children, and some of the answers obvious.

Seven Simple Steps To Boost Your Child's Confidence

StarBuzz Weekly, Toronto-Author: Brian Goth - There was once someone who said that "…all children are born geniuses, they are just raised as idiots." That statement has nothing to do with the IQ of the child at all. It simply means that children naturally want to be independent but they lose this need when they are not encouraged. Here are seven simple ways which would prevent the lack of self confidence to develop in a child.

Baby Shower Planning Advice

StarBuzz Weekly, Toronto-Author: Roberto Sedycias-If you know someone who is about to welcome a bundle of joy into the world, then you will most likely want to throw them a wonderful and memorable celebration. Usually baby showers are thrown at about the sixth or seventh month of pregnancy, and whether or not you know if it is a boy or a girl, you can throw a wonderful party with many different themes and styles.

Secrets To Understanding Your Child

StarBuzz Weekly, Toronto-Secrets To Understanding Your Child

Understanding your youngster is probably the most significant things that you need to understand as a parent. It is extremely helpful in becoming efficient in guiding as well as taking care of your son or daughter as they grow as well as mature. You need to bear in mind that your youngster has an unique personality characteristic that continues to be consistent in the course of life.

Circus Artists of Tomorrow . . . WANTED!

StarBuzz Weekly, Toronto-Montreal's National Circus School (NCS) is taking to the road again, this time for its official Entrance Examinations. Students receive a general academic education recognized by the Ministry of Education and world-calibre circus arts training.

Dec 20, 2010 – Montreal's National Circus School (NCS) is taking to the road again, this time for its official Entrance Examinations. The move is a follow-up to the recent and highly successful trans-Canada tour to pre-select talented young people. The young circus artists of tomorrow that the School selects receive a general academic education recognized by the Ministry of Education and world-calibre circus arts training. They are then ready to pursue a career that will take them to the four corners of the planet as part of the ensembles of leading circus companies.