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Hi,

Today, I would like to share with you this 'old' story that probably most of you had heard before. But, there is no harm to read it again and may be you will have different reflection this point in time. Here you go ......

"A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and a four-year old grandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered. The family ate together nightly at the dinner table. But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating rather difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass often milk spilled on the tablecloth. The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. "We must do something about grandfather," said the son. I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor. So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner at the dinner table. Since grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl. Sometimes when the family glanced in grandfather's direction, he had a tear in his eye as he ate alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food. The four-year-old watched it all in silence.

One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, "What are you making?" Just as sweetly, the boy responded, "Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and mama to eat your food from when I grow up." The four-year-old smiled and went back to work. The words so struck the parents that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done. That evening the husband took grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table.

For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled. Children are remarkably perceptive. Their eyes ever observe, their ears ever listen, and their minds ever process the messages they absorb. If they see us patiently provide a happy home atmosphere for family members, they will imitate that attitude for the rest of their lives. The wise parent realizes that every day that building blocks are being laid for the child's future.

Let us all be wise builders and role models. Take care of yourself, ... and those you love, ... today, and everyday! - Author Unknown"

Andrew Loh
Publisher & Editor, BrainyZine
andrew @ brainy-child.com

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How to teach your children about goal setting
Help children take ownership of their futures!

Children and Anger
How can you help your children deal with their anger?

Q: If a 23 month old male likes to line his toys up in neat rows, does that say anything decisive about that child's make-up for the future.

A: See Dr. Sandhu's complete answer on behavior of arranging objects in neat manner here!

Q: My son will be 10 in two weeks and is in the 4th grade. His teacher tells me that he is having trouble getting started w/ his work in the am. He is in the gifted program and scored either 2-3 points away from genius level. He is also very lazy about turning in his work. He has an A-B average w/ a few zeros averaged in. His teacher also said that he has no urgency to turn in work and sometimes does not finish all of his work. Last year in 3rd grade he was tested in reading and scored freshman level, but his teacher said that is as high as the test scored. Does he sound like he is ADD or just bored?

A: See also Dr. Sandhu's answer on the Gifted or ADHD?

Help your child with Brain Gym
NWANews.com May 2, 2005

Brain Gym involves simple exercises that re-pattern neural networks in the brain through movement. These neural networks link both sides of the brain to help whole brain function and communication.

Junk food diet 'makes children badly behaved'
Daily Mail May 3, 2005

Diets high in processed foods are causing bad behaviour and learning difficulties in children, scientists have warned. They claim junk food stops the brain working properly, leading to underachievement and a host of disorders.

Heavier Kids Face Health Dangers Early
WebMDHealth

Health risks usually associated with middle-age spread can be seen in obese children as young as age 4, and new research suggests these problems occur with more frequency and severity depending on the degree of obesity.

Mercury levels may poison our children
Newsday.com May 1, 2005

Methyl mercury, found in fish, has been shown to alter the construction of structural components of the brain called microtubules and influence the development of neurons. Mercury readily crosses the blood-brain barrier.

Adult and child brains perform tasks differently
Washington University in St Louis May 11, 2005

Children activate different and more regions of their brains than adults when they perform word tasks, according to investigators at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

Right from the beginning
ExpressIndia May 5, 2005

Thyroxine is extremely essential for brain development in first years of life. Brain development is complete by five years of age. If the infant lacks thyroxine in these early years then along with the physical stigmata of hypothyroidism the most devastating feature is mental retardation.

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