Latest news with #ChildDevelopment
The Hindu
3 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Karnataka recorded 1,799 child marriages in 3 years: Minister
As many as 1,799 child marriages took place in the last three years in the State, informed Women and Child Development Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar, in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday. Child marriages in Karnataka Year No. of child marriages 2022-23 405 2023-24 709 2024-25 685 In a reply to JD(S) floor leader Suresh Babu during the question hour, the Minister said 405 children in 2022-23, 709 in 2023-24 and 685 children in 2024-25 were married off and that child marriages were the major reason for the increasing number of underage pregnancies in the State, she added. Social mores She said social customs practised in some communities and tribal societies were a significant factor in the continued practice of child marriages. The Child Protection Committees (CWCs) were functioning in each district under the jurisdiction of the department, and there were four such committees in Bengaluru city. Ms. Hebbalkar said there was a necessity for coordination among several departments to prevent child marriages and underage pregnancies. The helpline number 1098 has been functioning to ensure the safety of children. 'Akka pade' Ms. Hebbalkar said watch committees need to be formed from the gram panchayat level to the district level to ensure the safety of the children. Based on the 'Akka Pade' comprising women police officers and NCC cadets formed in Bidar district, the department has decided to form the same in Mysuru, Belagavi and Mangaluru by providing vehicles and other facilities for the safety of school and college students, and, women. The 'Akka Pade' has become a successful model in the Bidar district, the Minister said. Mr. Babu, however, provided his own data and claimed that 26,000 underage pregnancies were recorded in the State. The number of underage pregnancies was highest in Belagavi (2,622), followed by Bagalkot (897), Ballari (850) and Koppal (617).
Time of India
a day ago
- General
- Time of India
6 top tips to prepare your child for kindergarten, without overwhelming them
6 tips to help make Kindergarten transition joyful, smooth and empowering for your little one (Image: Pexels) Anxious and uncertain about preparing your child for kindergarten? Well, starting kindergarten is indeed a herculean milestone for both the kids and their parents but it is also a time filled with excitement, new routines and social adventures all clubbed in one. The challenge for parents is to prepare their child for this big step without letting their stress or pressure seep into this new journey for kids. Fortunately, recent research provides science-backed tips to help make this transition joyful, smooth and empowering for your little one. Make no mistake - preparing your child for kindergarten does not mean rushing academic skills. The preparation has more to do with supporting the child's emotional growth, independence, curiosity and confidence. Experts insist that the key lies in gentle guidance, where blending play, routine, open communication and positive experiences nurture a resilient and eager learner. 1. Give importance to emotional readiness instead of building academic pressure We know it is tempting to jump straight into letters, numbers and structured learning before kindergarten begins but if we consider the findings of School readiness and later achievement ( a 2020 study by Duncan et al., published in Child Development) , children's emotional and social skills like self-regulation, cooperation and adaptability are better predictors of kindergarten success than early academic skills. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now The authors emphasized that 'supporting emotional competence in pre-schoolers contributes more to school readiness than teaching isolated academic tasks.' Emphasize emotional readiness over academic pressure (Image: Pexels) Tip: Focus on nurturing your child's ability to handle emotions and interact with peers. Role-play social scenarios and practice calming techniques instead of drilling ABCs or math facts. 2. Foster playful learning environments at home It is no secret that play is the natural language of childhood and a powerful vehicle for learning. According to Fisher, Hirsh-Pasek, Golinkoff, and Gryfe (2019) in Early Childhood Research Quarterly , playful learning experiences build critical cognitive skills such as problem-solving, language development and executive function. The study advocated, 'integrating child-led play with guided discovery to optimize school readiness.' Tip: Create rich, playful environments with open-ended toys like blocks, puzzles and art materials. Do not turn learning into a chore instead, join your child in playful exploration. 3. Gradually introduce routines and independence at home before school starts The transition to kindergarten often requires adjusting to new routines and expectations. As per Development of autonomy and routines in early education, a longitudinal study published in Developmental Psychology by Rimm-Kaufman and Pianta (2021), children who develop autonomy in self-care tasks (e.g., dressing, cleaning up) and gradually adapt to predictable schedules feel more secure and confident on the first day of school. Create rich, playful environments with open-ended toys like blocks, puzzles and art materials (Image: Pexels) Tip: Start practicing simple routines like make them pack their own backpacks, tidy toys or follow a morning schedule, all well before school starts. Celebrate their successes to build confidence in them. 4. Encourage curiosity and questions Curiosity is a core driver of learning. A 2022 study, Curiosity and cognitive flexibility in early childhood by Engel and colleagues in Frontiers in Psychology, demonstrated that children encouraged to ask questions and explore their environment exhibit stronger cognitive flexibility and motivation in early learning settings. The researchers noted, 'Questioning promotes active engagement and deeper understanding.' Tip: When your child asks questions, respond with enthusiasm and open-ended prompts like 'What do you think?' or 'Why do you wonder about that?' to nurture their inquisitiveness. 5. Build positive school attitudes through storytelling and school visits Children's attitudes towards school can shape their motivation and behaviour or so a 2018 study, Reducing school anxiety through storytelling and familiarization by Lee and Buxton in the Journal of Educational Psychology, found when children, who were read books about school and given opportunities to visit classrooms before starting, showed less anxiety and more excitement on day one. The familiarity reduced fear of the unknown. Tip: Read fun stories about school to your children, talk positively with them about teachers and friends and arrange visits to the kindergarten environment when possible. Let your child picture what a typical day will look like. 6. Keep communication open and age-appropriate For children, the transition from home to kindergarten can also trigger worries, even if they do not always verbalise them. According to a 2019 study, ( Parent-child communication and school transition by Mistry, Biesanz and Taylor in Early Education and Development) , parents who engage in age-appropriate conversations about school, listen actively and validate feelings help their children manage anxieties more effectively. Tip: Ask gentle questions like, 'What are you excited about?' or 'Is there anything you're unsure of?' Listen patiently and reassure them that feelings are normal. Remember, your child is ready for kindergarten when they feel safe, valued and curious. With warmth and patience, you can make this milestone a joyful stepping stone for them and ensure a lifelong love of learning.
Time of India
31-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Push to boost scheme coverage in urban villages of Noida, Gr Noida
Noida: Welfare camps are being held across 36 locations in Noida and Greater Noida's urban villages to boost enrolment under state pension and welfare schemes. The camps, which began on Monday, will run till Sept 22. Officials said the initiative targets residents of urban villages who often miss out on benefits due to lack of awareness or income certificate issues. While many exceed the Rs 56,000 annual income cap set for various schemes, a sizable population still falls within the eligibility bracket but lacks proper documentation. "Urban villages have dense populations, but many remain outside the coverage net. We've directed village accountants to issue correct income certificates to eligible residents," said Satish Kumar, district social welfare officer, Gautam Buddha Nagar. You Can Also Check: Noida AQI | Weather in Noida | Bank Holidays in Noida | Public Holidays in Noida According to official data, the district currently has 15,731 beneficiaries under the National Old Age Pension Scheme, 15,892 under the Destitute Women Pension Scheme, and 4,115 under the Divyang Pension Scheme. Each receives Rs 1,000 per month, disbursed quarterly. Other departments, including Agriculture, Child Development, Skill Development, and Food & Civil Supplies, are also part of the outreach to promote wider scheme awareness. Officials have urged residents to attend the camps and avail themselves of the services.
NDTV
31-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
2,200 'Ladki Bahin' Scheme Beneficiaries Found To Be Maharashtra Government Employees
Mumbai: Maharashtra Minister Aditi Tatkare has said that more than 2,200 beneficiaries of the Mukhyamantri Ladki Bahin Yojana were found to be government employees during scrutiny. In a post on X on Friday, Ms Tatkare said verification of beneficiaries will be a regular process. 'After scrutinising nearly 2 lakh applications, 2,289 government employees were found to be the beneficiaries of the Mukhyamantri Ladki Bahin Yojana. After realising this, such beneficiaries are not being given the benefit of the scheme,' the Women and Child Development Minister said. "लाभार्थ्यांची पडताळणी" ही कोणत्याही योजनेच्या अंमलबजावणीतील सर्वसाधारण व नियमित प्रक्रिया आहे. मुख्यमंत्री माझी लाडकी बहीण योजनेच्या अंमलबजावणीतही ही प्रक्रिया राबवली जाते. या प्रक्रियेत सेवार्थ मधील जवळपास २ लाख अर्जांची पडताळणी केल्यानंतर त्यात सुमारे २२८९ सरकारी कर्मचाऱ्यांनी… — Aditi S Tatkare (@iAditiTatkare) May 30, 2025 Ms Tatkare said the government is committed to ensuring that only eligible beneficiaries receive the benefits of the Ladki Bahin Yojana and will continue to scrutinise applications for this. Ahead of the November 2024 Maharashtra assembly polls, the Mahayuti government in the state launched the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana in August last year, under which eligible women in the age group of 21-65 years are entitled to a monthly assistance of Rs 1,500. Government employees are, however, not eligible for the scheme. Mahayuti leaders have attributed the resounding success of the ruling alliance in the assembly polls to the Ladki Bahin scheme, but have also admitted that it has put severe strain on the state exchequer. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Arizona ranks low for preschool enrollment, annual study finds
Arizona ranks among the lowest in the nation for public preschool enrollment of 4-year-olds, according to a recently released study. During the 2023-24 school year, only 4% of 4-year-olds in Arizona were enrolled in public preschool, falling far below the national average of 35%, according to the 2024 State of Preschool Yearbook from the National Institute for Early Education Research at Rutgers University. Arizona now ranks 44th and 27th for pre-school enrollment among 4- and 3-year-olds, respectively, down from 43rd and 24th in the 2022-23 school year. Despite stagnant preschool enrollment numbers, Arizona saw major increases in overall preschool spending and per-student spending largely due to COVID-19 recovery funding from the federal government, according to the latest State of Preschool Yearbook. Except during the COVID-19 pandemic, the national average of 4-year-olds enrolled in public preschool has steadily increased since the 2001-02 school year, going from 14% to 37% in the 2023-24 school year. In Arizona in the 2023-24 school year, the share of 4-year-olds enrolled in a public preschool remained similar to pre-pandemic numbers at 4%, but fell below the 6% of 4-year-olds enrolled during the 2001-02 school year. Arizona saw a minimal increase in the number of 3- to 4-year-olds enrolled in public preschool in the 2023-24 year compared to the previous year: an uptick of 369 students for a total of 6,323. The total does not include the roughly 9,000 students enrolled in special education and 12,000 students in Head Start. Including special education and Head Start students, only about 13% of 3-year-olds and 18% of 4-year-olds in Arizona are enrolled in public early childhood education. These percentages are still lower than the national average of 17% of three-year-olds and 47% of four-year-olds. Arizona does not support universal preschool, fully-funded preschool to 3- and 4-year-olds regardless of income. Washington, D.C., and Vermont have the highest preschool enrollment rates for 3- and 4-year-olds in the nation, and both offer universal preschool. Colorado rocketed from 27th to 3rd place for access to preschool among 4-year-olds after launching its universal preschool program. Arizona also does not require schools to offer full-day kindergarten, and only provides 2.5 hours of state-funded kindergarten, also known as half-day kindergarten. The National Institute for Early Education Research's State of Preschool Yearbook has 10 recommended benchmarks that states should follow for successful and high-quality public preschool. Arizona meets three benchmarks: a comprehensive standard for learning, a strong curriculum and a system designed to continuously improve. The seven benchmarks Arizona does not meet are: a required bachelor's degree and specialized preschool training for preschool teachers, a Child Development Associate credential for assistant teachers, recommended professional development for preschool staff, maximum classroom sizes of 20 students, a 1-to-10 teacher-to-student ratio and annual student health screenings. The benchmarks are only minimums, however, and 'if programs are adequately funded, they're not constrained to do the least that they can do,' said Steve Barnett, the National Institute for Early Education Research's founder. States spent over $13.6 billion in preschool funding in the 2023-34 school year, a 17% increase compared to the previous year. Arizona spent $50.4 million, a 56.4% increase from the previous year. Arizona increased its per student spending for preschoolers by $2,585 to a total of $7,972 and was one of only five states in the country to increase preschool student spending by over $2,500. The National Institute for Early Education Research estimates $10,865 per student would be required for Arizona to deliver high-quality preschools. Arizona's increases were primarily due to the use of COVID-19 recovery funds to expand Quality First Scholarships by First Things First, an early childhood agency. Quality First Scholarships allow families enrolling their child in a participating preschool to help cover some or all of the expenses. First Things First was created to allocate funds from tobacco tax revenues to health programs and early childhood development. With declining sales of tobacco, revenue has dropped 37.9% since 2008, according to the National Institute for Early Education Research. Despite the declining pool of available funding, First Things First has been spending more on each student's scholarship over the years, which can negatively impact overall enrollment. Coverage of education solutions on and in The Arizona Republic is partially supported by a grant from the Arizona Local News Foundation's Arizona Community Collaborative Fund. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona ranks low for preschool enrollment, annual study finds
