Many parents keep wondering "Do virtual games help children become good at playing real life sports?" You find the answer, quick and straight when the kids play the simple games toying the keyboard. Virtual games are a simulation ground for real time learning for children. In most of the games, kids are constantly required to predict events, explore spatial relationships between objects, keep check on risks, distances, etc. They need to possess better levels of analytical and logical skills and they tend to exhibit faster their reflexes. Games like chess, golf, cricket, football, car racing and so on, are the favorites with kids. Hey, why forget the Harry Potter? This is a pick of many boys these days with the old and popular game 'Prince' & 'Doom' in the list.

Parents do need to take out some time and follow my article on what games to choose for kids. All games aren't good. However, I believe virtual games, if used in the right way, can help players improve co-ordination and visual skills, improve their logical and analytical skills and make them lead to perfection.

- ilaxi
Editor, kidsfreesouls.com
Author of: Guardian of Angels

Alexandra Pope is generally regarded as the greatest English poet of the early eighteenth century, best known for his satirical poems.

"We think our fathers fools, so wise we grow;
Our wiser sons, no doubt will think us so."
Alexander Pope (Essay on Criticism)

A Roman Catholic, Alexandra Pope knew several languages like French, Italian, Latin and Greek. One bigger language he knew was criticism or rather you call, satirical talk which he spoke in form of couplets. He wrote on what follies he saw in women and ridiculed people who misuse wealth. What is more interesting is Alexander Pope even ridiculed on writers, critics scholarly professors and called many scientists 'Stupid'. Whatever, the poet did have a lot of quotes to say through his work and one of the most we know is, "To err is human, to forgive divine!"

Ugh, oh, We say Criticism ain't good and we refrain from pointing fingers on someone! When parents get angry on their kids and criticism comes quite naturally, kids feel shame and anger. They hate you, avoid you for the criticism. Some of them rebel. This is when parental influence plays a big role. Parents need to be calm, see the positive in the kid and ask yourself, Is this criticism going to help? For kids, Criticism do play a negative role in their life and leave impressions of guilt and shame.

Here we have a poet who always wrote satirical but than, it is almost true that a person learns from criticism too. It's Attitude that makes a big difference. If Criticism is considered in a positive manner, there is a change. A person learns to live with criticism. Isn't this so true?

- ilaxi

22nd May 1859, Arthur Conan Doyle was born and left behind footprints on the sands of time - Sherlock Holmes. Most of us are excited to read the Detective stories while we studied in 8th Grade and above. The James Hadley chase and Agatha Christie has ever been the popular reads. It is almost a surprise that kids now have not even read a single book of James Hadley Chase or Agatha Christie - quite obvious Sherlock Holmes mystery is far away.

I have Hardy Boys and Enid Blytons-Famous Five as mystery picks in our library along with the Nancy Drew but ah, I would say, "Who reads or rathar who has got the time to read?" May be exceptions but I'd say, "Reading is almost on the back-seat!" Kids need to be "Encouraged for reading." You can find this article in my Book "Guardian of Angels".

Anyways, here's Arthur Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes pages for you to add to your Project book. Enjoy!

-ilaxi patel
Editor, Kidsfreesouls.comAuthor of "Guardian of Angels"

Friedrich Froebel, the German founder of Kindergarten system was born in 1782. He changed the way we think about early childhood education. Friedrich started a Play and Activity Institute which featured games, play, songs, stories, and crafts to stimulate imagination and develop physical and motor skills. He designed balls, wooden blocks, tiles, sticks and rings to demonstrate that children learn by playing. These objects were important part of child's life as these gifts will teach the child to use his environment as an educational aid, give a child an indication between human life and nature and create a bond between the adult and the child.

Children need the moral support and physical care from parents and teachers. With changing time, children need caring of future needs to growth of development. The word 'Kindergarten' mean, kinder + garten = Infant garden - garden for children in tune to nature where they can grow in free atmosphere in open surroundings. When Friedrich Froebel flourished the Kindergarten, he thought of kids to be tiny flowers who need the care and flower. Now, the whole meaning changes and kids need to learn more than just the nursery rhymes or the first abc. They need to compete with their peers and with the technology booming in, computers and mobiles have found way to the smaller kids who just pick up the gadgets and find way to communicate. Moreover, closed activities indoors need a break for a changeover to view the outside world - into gardens, parks and places of kids interest like the zoo, picnic spots, etc. Kids learn faster in open spaces and like we have the system of 'Shantiniketan' in India (started by Rabindranath Tagore) - studying in open skies in a garden, under the shade of trees is a unique way of learning. A balance with indoor and outdoor activity is just the need of the hour.

For more on Friedrich Froebel, surf google and you are sure to find great links. Enjoy!

- ilaxi
Editor, kidsfreesouls.com