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

Have you ever thought of writing those lovely 'Thank You' notes? It almost happens that as children grow up, they apt to forget the small beginnings that led them to climb ladders of success. I have seen children remember their teachers and the memories are very live but very few reciprocate their gratitude and revive the broken links with them.

Recently, an ex student visited the library and she was too happy to talk to the present students. She explained the importance of forming Reading habits and her journey from Swagat Library to what she has achieved today. She had attended my library for almost 4 years. Literally reading was geek for her but the guidance for reading from Swagat, helped her to pick up the right books. Step-to-step reading, from beginners stories, fairy tales to classics and later fiction reading made a big difference in her life and career as well. She thanked me for being her mentor and my heart is filled with joy.

Saying or Writing thank-you notes is a habit, and habits are not formed out of the blue. In school, we are taught to say 'Please, sorry and Thank You' but mostly, children do not adhere to the rules of gratitude. The habit sometimes is influenced by teachers and parents who guide the children. However, many children come out with a unique card - they draw me with specks and say Thank You while some draw and color a card with wishes. Sometimes gifts are not remembered but thoughtfully spoken or written words of gratitude and courteous note makes a big difference.

I remember visiting my school Library (Mt. Carmel school) a year ago and met the Library Sister. Though I met her for the first time, she was so happy to see an ex student of the school running a children's Library and she was proud of it and happily showed me the new arrival books. I can remember all time I spent there and thank my teachers for such wonderful books. As such, 18th April was marked for "Thanking school Librarian" and you will find e-cards here on 123greetings to thank your Librarian for encouraging you to read. You can even 'Thank' your mom or teacher (even Kidsfreesouls.com!) for encouraging you to read - all that is good and nice. Why, you can even thank Google to show you such beautiful sites you surf and read. Enjoy!

- ilaxi
Editor, kidsfreesouls.com

Chaitra month, Neem & Palm treeThe first of April, some do say,

Is set apart for All Fool's day;
But why the people call it so
Nor I, nor they themselves, do know.
But on this day are people sent
On purpose for pure merriment.

Americans do their fooling on 1st April because the early Scotch, English and French settlers brought the custom with them. The occassion provides pranksters of every description an opportunity to play a wide variety of jokes upon their friends and neighbors.

This year April 1st is Palm Sunday too. Palm tree is sacred since branches of palm tree were significant at the time of birth of Jesus. The bible scriptures mention Palm as characteristics of Palestine - the land of palms. The people of Jerusalem took the Palm branches and greeted Jesus when he entered Jerusalem and said, "Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord" (Matthew 21:8; John 12:13). Here are Annie's Pages if you like to know more on this. Christmas pages on kidsfreesouls are here with some info too.

As such, we have the month of Chaitra (as per gujarati calendar) and this month, people drink the juice made of the leaves of bitter Neem tree. It is believed that if this juice is taken, a person will not fall sick for the whole year as it is very good for health. We also eat the flower of Neem tree with sugar if neem juice is too bitter to drink. Here is the Trees Page on Neem and Palm trees.

- ilaxi
Editor, kidsfreesouls.com