They always say that animals are our best friends. But it’s important to understand that unlike us humans they don’t speak the same language. So, it can get tricky to understand what exactly they want and how to not get them mad at us. After all, if they are your friends you would want them to be happy with you right? You wouldn’t want them to be angry with you or sad with you. So let’s learn a little bit more about how we can truly make them more comfortable.

Animals & Humans: Same Same But Different

Before we try to understand how to communicate with animals better, it’s important to understand the fact that just like us, animals are also creatures that deserve to be treated with respect. Just like you and your friends are not exactly the same but do differ in certain ways, depending on what you like and dislike and what you look like, animals differ from you in that very same way. It’s important to understand that even though they are different in terms of what they like look or eat, they still deserve the same amount of respect and love that you show your friend or sibling. But what you need to keep in mind is how to approach them as their differences from us make it important that we take an extra step to understand them and make the interaction better for both of us.

Normally when it comes to our friends we tend to talk or draw to communicate with them and let them know what we are feeling. But when it comes to animals, it’s important to understand that they did not grow up watching the same cartoons we did or hearing the same phrases. These cartoons and phrases that we hear others speak regularly help form our point of reference, which basically means a thing or idea that we go back to when we can’t understand something in hopes that the idea that we already have in our mind will help us understand the new thing better. For example, take the case of potato chips. We find a variety of them in the market today. When you pick up a new packet of potato chips from an unknown brand you still have an idea about how it will taste like. This is because you are familiar with the way potato chips taste. But in your place, if an alpaca picks up a potato chip packet be it from an unknown or known brand they won’t know what it tastes like because they have never had potato chips before. This is where the point of reference comes into play. Sure, there are some things that both you and your animal friends know about and share that point of reference such as trees, flowers, etc. But there are still many things that they don’t know about you and your life, so you need to be patient when you are communicating.

Animal & Humans: How To Communicate?

Now here are a few things you need to remember when you are trying to communicate with animals:

• Be respectful and gentle:

How would you like it if your friend or anyone just came and tapped you on your head? Or what if they just pulled your hair while you were doing your homework? It doesn’t feel good, does it? Well, the same goes for your animal friend. No matter how furry, squishy and cute they may look it’s important to understand that they may not always be happy about you pulling their hair or squishing them. Sure, you may not mean any harm but just like you don’t like to be unnecessarily bothered sometimes they don’t like it too. And being mean or teasing them or hitting them is a big no-no. Why? Ask yourself, if you were there in their place would you like it if the same was done to you? If not, then how can somebody else like it? 

• Understand how to approach them:

Not everyone would like to be touched or petted when you approach them. Hence it’s important to be careful when you approach your animal friend. Just like some of your friends prefer hugs but some don’t, similarly, some animal friends may be okay with you greeting them with a hug and some not so much. It all depends on how one like to communicate. Hence, to be safe let them approach you and be calm rather than being too excited. Let them take their time to get to know you.

• Give them some space:

It’s important to understand that just like some days are good and bad for you, the same goes for them. So, be careful when you approach them especially if they are eating or are scared. This is because just like you don’t like to be bothered when you are eating they also don’t like the same. Plus, just like when you are scared sometimes you scream or shout without meaning to hurt anyone, your animal friend might do the same but you may interpret their shouting as them being mad at you, so it’s best to give them some space to get comfortable and feel better.

• Not every animal is the same:

Just because you have been familiar with dogs or cats because you have one at home, does not mean all dogs and cats are similar. It’s important to understand that each animal even though they may be from the same breed differ from each other. Just like one of your friends may love to chat and talk and another doesn’t, similarly, your dog may be very nice and friendly but your neighbour’s may not be so. So, you must give them the space they need to be themselves and approach them accordingly. If they have an owner or someone who visits them frequently listen to their advice as to how to approach that particular animal friend as they have spent more time with that friend than you.

This is a tiny guide that is meant to start your communication with your animal friends in a way that is more fun for both you and your animal friend. The main thing to remember is that it will take time and hence being patient and calm is the key. We know it’s not always possible to be calm and patient and that’s when you go back to your room and relax for a bit. And when you are calm, approach your animal friend once again. 

Do you ever wonder about your child’s emotions? How do they develop these emotions? What leads them to show their emotions the way they do? Why do they cry before they speak? And many more. Emotions are the essence of being a human. Emotions are primarily happiness, sadness, anger, fear, disgust, etc. 

Children develop their emotions gradually through social situations and their own individualistic way. The first form of communication by children is through crying. Along with the way they communicate, it is also one of the first ways of expressing emotions. As children grow, their emotional expression becomes more nuanced, incorporating facial expressions, body language, and eventually, verbal communication. Observing and interacting with caregivers and peers play a crucial role in this development, as children learn to interpret and mimic the emotional cues they see. This process helps them to understand and manage their own emotions, as well as to empathize with others, leading to their overall social and emotional growth.

Stages of emotional development

Social smile

Social smile is a significant stage in emotional development which occurs between 6 to 8 weeks of an infant. It represents communication, emotional interactions of the child with the parent and their bond. Further, you might have also observed your child react in a similar way when you talk to them in a high tone and interact with them through laughter and affection. A normal variation also occurs with respect to social smile and may happen at an earlier or later stage.

Attachment

From 6 to 12 months of the child’s development, they slowly develop an attachment to their primary caregiver, wherein most cases it’s the mother. For example, your child might cry and feel distressed in your absence and stop crying on your return. This is a major milestone in the emotional development of children. This paves the way for their style of attachment to be developed as well which forms a baseline for their relationships with people.

Social referencing

It develops alongside attachment at around 8 to 12 months of age. Social referencing involves the child’s actions to navigate with unfamiliar and unexpected situations with emotional support from the caregiver or a trusted person. For example, your child on receiving a new unfamiliar toy, looks at you for a nod or a smile of approval to use it. This shows they have developed a trusting relationship with you and is using social referencing as an emotional response. 

Theory of mind

Theory of mind is a concept that states that children develop the ability to understand the perspectives of others’. In short, children progress to “putting themselves in other shoes”. For example, you are playing with your child and you get a phone call in between, but once you come back, you realise that the toy you are playing with disappeared. And you ask your child “Where is the toy?”, the child replies to you saying, “You think the toy is on the bed (where it originally was), but I have kept it behind the tv”. This shows that the child understands your perspective that you still think the toy is on the bed, which is a clear indication of development of theory of mind. 

Emotion regulation

Emotion regulation are strategies and techniques used to modify and understand your emotions in accordance with the environment. It is a continuous stage of development for the child and stays through adulthood. It is crucial for the parents to be the mode through which the children learn emotional regulation. 

Tips to enhance your child’s emotional development

Expression of emotions

Encourage expression of emotions to your child so they understand that it’s a healthy way to communicate what they’re feeling and express it in a healthy way. Sudden outbursts of emotions at extremes are unhelpful and often lead up to emotional dysregulation. At the same time, make sure your child does not hold in their emotions and mask it. At a young age, this might become a repetitive behaviour leading up to lack of understanding of their own emotions. For example, if your child falls down and gets us, don’t say statements like “It’s just a small hurt, don’t cry” or “Cry, Cry fast”. An ideal statement to say in this situation is “Oh no, you got hurt, it’s okay to cry about it, I hope you understand that” would make them feel more secure and interpret that they can cry but at the same time they don’t have to. And more than anything, that they have you on their side, always!

Modeling 

Parents are always the first teachers of their children. You might also observe your children imitate you from time to time and also act like you often. Hence, it is always important for the parents to be mindful of their actions in front of their children. When talking about modeling emotions, the most vital thing is emotional regulation. While demonstrating regulation of emotions by the parents, the children are enabled to develop the healthiest form of control of their emotions appropriate to a particular situation. Emotional regulation can be demonstrated by the parents in several aspects. For example, in instances of stress, frustration and joy, your expressions of the same would be you modeling emotional regulation to your child. You might be stressed at work and you come back home sad, frustrated and tired and don’t play with your child and displace your emotions at them. The next day you may witness your child behaving the same way towards their dolls and you might feel ashamed for the way you behaved. This is a small instance where children model parents’ behaviour and gives an insight into their want to resemble their caregivers.

Teach Empathy

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. It involves recognising someone else’s emotional state, putting oneself in their shoes and responding with care and compassion. Teaching empathy to your child is one of the most universal and valuable forms of emotional development you can provide. For example, helping the poor is one of the values you can teach your child and one day they would voluntarily want to help any homeless person they see on the streets. This shows that you have succeeded in teaching your children empathy. And this is one of the most vital forms of emotional development you can teach them. 

Be a good support system

You are your child’s immense support system. Your child learns, stays, grows and with you beside them. Therefore, acknowledging this fact that you’re the best support system they can get is crucial. They might confide in you with their concerns, they might even share and express their feelings effectively, and also require a safe support system from you as well. For example, your child went to school and sees that his/her classmates have done a better job at their homework than him/herself. They come home distressed and pour out their heart to you about how they feel. Now, as a good support system, you will have to actively listen to their concern; Empathise accordingly; Say soothing statements like “I understand it’s so frustrating”, “Your feelings are valid”, “It’s okay to feel upset”, “I’m here for you” and many more. This helps your child understand that you are there for them and that you empathize with how they might be feeling.

  Understanding and nurturing your child’s emotional development is a rewarding journey that massively shapes their future. By recognizing and grasping the stages of emotional development, you lay a strong baseline for their emotional intelligence. Encouraging expression, modeling appropriate emotional responses, and being a reliable support system are pivotal strategies. These actions not only help your child navigate their own emotions but they also help foster healthy relationships. As parents, your proactive involvement and empathy teach invaluable lessons, ensuring your child grows into a well-rounded, emotionally intelligent individual.

Motor skills are the abilities required to control and coordinate the muscles and movements of the body. It essentially involves the use of different muscles required to move about and perform daily activities. It is required for daily functioning and develops over time right from infancy. It is divided into two main types– Gross motor skills and Fine motor skills, these are classified based on the group of muscles used to coordinate movements. Motor skills are crucial for a child’s overall development, impacting their ability to perform everyday tasks, engage in physical activities, and interact with their environment. They are also linked to cognitive development, as coordination and motor planning can influence problem-solving and other cognitive processes. Developing strong motor skills in early childhood sets the stage for successful participation in school activities, sports, and social interactions. Furthermore, early intervention and support for motor skill development can help identify and address potential developmental delays, ensuring children reach their full potential.

Gross motor skills

Gross motor skills involve the use of the large muscle groups which are responsible for large movements. They help in coordinating movements involved in tasks like climbing, running, throwing and catching a ball, overall body control and many more. The important gross motor skills developed over time are: 

1. Newborn to 2 months: Turns head to both sides while on back; Able to turn head to both sides while on belly
2. 3-4 months: Rolls from belly to back; Raises head while in the trunk when pulled to sit
3. 5 months: Rolls from back to belly; Brings foot to mouth laying on back
4. 6-8 months: Crawls on belly; Sits alone
5. 9-11 months: Walks with two hands held; Moves between lying down and sitting upright without help 
6. 11-12 months: Stands alone for a few seconds; Walks with one hand held
7. 13-14 months: Walks alone well; Crawls upstairs
8. 15-18 months: Kicks a ball forward; Can run, though falls easily
9. 2 years: Walks and runs fairly well; Jumps in place with both feet off the ground
10. 3 years: Balance on one foot for a few seconds; Rides a tricycle
11. 4 years: Hops well; Can run, jump and climb well

While this is a guide to understanding the different milestones that a child reaches, there can be variations that occur throughout achieving them. However it is also important to note that a large variation may lead to the parents’ intervention to ensure these milestones are achieved. Some of the activities that can enhance gross motor function in children are:

• Physical activities: Many physical activities like running, walking, climbing, and many more help in strengthening the use of larger muscles which in turn help in enhancing the gross motor skills accordingly. While concentrating on physical activities, children can also channel their energy into these activities.
• Play-based activities: Activities like playing with different variations of balls, tug-of-war, playing with bubbles, obstacle races and much more help in activating the large muscle groups.
• Everyday activities: Errand running which is as simple as helping set the table, and walking the dog helps in the coordination of large muscle groups, especially the hand-arm and hand-eye coordination. These activities help the child to also develop cognitive skills like problem-solving and reasoning.

Fine motor skills

Fine motor skills involve the use of smaller muscle groups, particularly those in the fingers and hands, to perform precise and coordinated movements. Examples of fine motor skills include typing, holding the spoon, cutting with scissors, tying shoelaces and many more intricate tasks. Important fine motor skills developed over time are:

1. Newborn-3 months: Grasp reflex (involuntary grasping of things in the hands), bringing hands to mouth
2. 3-6 months: Briefly holds a toy like a rattle; Follows objects with eyes on all directions
3. 6-9 months: Transfers objects from one hand to another; Brings toys to mouth
4. 9-12 months: Stacking of blocks; Releases object voluntarily
5. 12-18 months: Scribbles with a crayon; Put objects into containers
6. 2 years: Turns pages of books one at a time; Puts rings on a ring stacker
7. 3 years: Able to stack things on thread (making a necklace); Beginning with scissor skills 
8. 4 years: Able to do simple puzzles; Can cut shapes with scissors

As mentioned above, several variations in achieving the milestones may occur based on several factors that influence the children. But at the same time, major variations may need parental intervention to enhance the ability of the children accordingly. A few of the activities that may help children enhance their fine motor skills are:

• Art and Craft Activities: Many activities like drawing and colouring, painting, clay and play dough, stringing the beads and many more help in developing the muscles responsible for fine motor skills through finger and hand coordination. 
• Writing and tracing: One of the most common methods where fine motor skills are used the most is through writing and tracing. While working through these tasks, finger-eye coordination, hand-finger coordination and fine muscles are used.
• Play-based activities: Building with blocks, Puzzles, Board games and many such activities help in enhancing fine motor skills. They involve the movement through several fingers which increases the coordination and speed of moving the small pieces eventually. 

Several factors also play a role in influencing motor development in children which may be biological, social or environmental. A few of these factors are:

1. Genetic factors: Inherited traits like genetic makeup that may influence the muscle tone, movement, coordination and physical development of children and genetic disorders or conditions like Down syndrome or Cerebral Palsy can highly impact motor development.
2. Environmental factors: Socioeconomic status and exposure to toxins at an early age may all contribute to the development of motor skills in children. Socioeconomic factors can majorly influence access to resources, nutritious food, and safe play environments.
3. Parental and Caregiver influence: Positive influence, guidance, positive reinforcement and encouragement can motivate children to develop motor skills. Parental involvement and active participation in play and physical activities with children promote motor skill development. 
4. Developmental disorders: Autism, Global developmental delay, ADHD and other developmental disorders affect the child’s motor functioning. To understand these challenges faced by the children, efforts to identify and manage the concerns can be initiated by the parents.

Motor development is essential for every child to develop into a well-rounded and capable individual. From infancy through adolescence, the progression of their gross and fine motor skills allows them to navigate their environment, perform daily tasks and engage in play and learning activities. Factors such as genetics, environment and parental involvement significantly influence the development of motor skills. 

Parents, educators and health care providers can ensure children reach their full potential by understanding and supporting motor development. Providing activities that enhance and encourage their development and learning, and addressing their developmental delay early on are essential steps in fostering a child’s motor skills.

Every year, Men’s Health Week serves as a crucial reminder to focus on men’s mental health, physical health and well-being. We are encouraging them to address both physical and mental health issues. Traditionally, alot of sociocultural factors have influenced men to carry themselves only with strength and resilience, a lot of the time at the cost of their mental health. This week aims to challenge those norms and foster a culture where men feel comfortable discussing their mental health struggles.

Breaking the Silence

The stigma around mental health is pervasive, but it’s particularly unending among men. Cultural expectations have long dictated that men should be stoic and unemotional. As a result, many men suffer in silence. They constantly have the nagging feeling that admitting to emotional and mental health struggles would be seen as a sign of weakness. They are often not met kindly when they open up, or their struggles are frequently watered down or brushed off. This silence that they resort to can be detrimental, leading to feelings of isolation, worsening their mental and physical health and, in some cases, even suicide. According to the World Health Organization, suicide rates among men are significantly higher than among women.

Unspoken Struggles

Men’s mental health issues often go unrecognised and untreated. Depression and anxiety are present, but we must remember that these symptoms can present themselves differently in men. Instead of sadness or nervousness, they might experience anger, irritability or aggression. They might end up engaging in high-risk behaviours such as substance abuse or reckless activities as a coping mechanism. These unspoken struggles are often overlooked by the individuals experiencing them and those around them.

Workplace stress is a significant factor. The pressure to succeed and provide can be overwhelming, leading to burnout, anxiety and depression. Men might feel compelled to hide these struggles under the mask of reliability.

Relationship issues can also take a heavy toll on men’s mental health. Societal expectations for men to be the emotional rock can make it difficult for them to express vulnerability, even to their parents.

How Speaking Up Helped

When we spoke to a few men about their struggles and triumphs, they shared their experiences. Here’s what they had to say : 

“When I was a young adult, I had this habit of not being ready to have open conversations with people, especially the girl I was dating. She’d provide me with the space to talk, but I just would avoid it completely; that led me to do a few things I regret. I also realised that I was not being honest with myself. When I sat down one day and spoke to a friend of mine, he pointed out that we do not openly talk about our feelings even if given a safe space because we are not used to that; we’ve grown up with the notion that we are beings with just two emotions- Happiness and Anger, nothing else. It was only when I started talking to trusted people who I knew wouldn’t judge me that I realised how beneficial it was to open up and talk about issues you are facing and share them rather than let them stay inside. I did take a few sessions of therapy too that helped me learn how to process my feelings, and I am now learning to communicate and process my emotions and have conversations regardless of how difficult it might be” – shared by M.A.

“I think the biggest change I’ve made in terms of acknowledging my mental health was giving myself the freedom and liberty to feel and let out my emotions. It’s this thing right that “Men Dont cry”, “Men don’t get heartbroken”, and the famous “Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota” that is not true; we do, it’s just that we don’t talk about it because 1- we don’t have the freedom to as much as we’d like, 2- the fear of judgement, 3- Its not how we grew up, most of us grew up learning to not talk about our feelings and just either distract ourselves from it or deal with it in silence without anyone knowing. But as I grew up and watched “Rambo: First Blood”, there was this scene in the last where he breaks down to his colonel and tells whatever he’s going through for a while; it moved me to see him cry onscreen like that, not only because it was emotional but also because I related to him, especially the way he carried that pain in silence, I found myself crying as well watching that. That’s when I decided I would make it a point to allow myself the space and freedom to do so; I also have a good set of people I can rely on and share my feelings carefree. We, especially men, must do this.” – shared by S.A.F.

Here are a few documentaries and tedtalks on men opening up about their journey with mental health. Some of the content might be triggering , please see the disclaimer before watching them. We hope they are helpful and insightful for you<3.

• Documentary : Click on this
• TedTalks: TedTalk1 , TedTalk 2 , TedTalk 3 , TedTalk4

The Role of Support Systems

Support systems play a crucial role in addressing men’s mental health. Family, friends and workplaces must create an environment where men feel safe to open up. Encouraging open dialogues about mental health can help dismantle the stigma. Mental Health initiatives in workplaces can provide resources and support for those struggling. Peer support groups can offer a platform for men to share their experiences and find solidarity with others facing similar challenges.

Healthcare providers must be vigilant; regular mental health screenings during medical appointments can help identify early. Providing resources and referrals to mental health professionals can ensure that men receive the necessary care. Telehealth services have also become increasingly important, offering a discreet and accessible way for men to seek help.

Promoting Positive Change

Education and awareness are vital to promoting positive change. Campaigns during Men’s Health Week can highlight the importance of mental health and encourage men to seek help without shame; personal stories and testimonials can be powerful tools in breaking down barriers, showing that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Media representation also matters. Positive portrayals of men seeking mental health support can normalise this behaviour and challenge outdated stereotypes. Celebrities like Shah Rukh Khan, Hrithik Roshan and Varun Dhawan and public figures such Virat Kohli who speak openly about their mental health struggles can inspire others to do the same.

To Wrap It Up

Men’s Health Week is a pivotal opportunity to shift the narrative around men’s mental health. By creating a culture of openness and support, we can help men move from silence to strength, addressing their mental health issues without fear of stigma or judgment. It’s time to change the norms that have long dictated that men must be stoic and unfeeling. Instead, we must embrace a more compassionate approach, recognising that mental health is integral to overall well-being. By doing so, we can ensure that men receive the support and care they need, ultimately leading to healthier, happier lives.

Aren’t there days when you just hate going to school? Remember those days when you just wish to stay back home and do nothing or start working at the nearby grocery store, as that seems better than going to school? But do you know the reality of those kids’ lives? What you take for granted, such as going to school, doing homework, meeting friends, etc. is something they can only dream of. Why? Because they just don’t have enough money or parents who think education is important to support them through it all. And hence, these kids are forced into what we know today as child labour.

What is child labour?

Child labour refers to an action or act in which children are deprived of their childhood. What does your childhood involve? Playing, doing homework, going to school, etc. The kids who are engaged in child labour don’t have access to all these things that you consider to be part of your childhood. Instead of going to school and growing up like you do, many kids are forced to do manual work, such as working at the construction site or at people’s homes. And most of the time it is because of financial issues or parents who are not aware of the importance of education.

Imagine not being able to play outside because you must deliver the cups of tea to the people in order to buy yourself dinner. Waking up early even before the sun rises just to ensure that each house has a newspaper delivered. Imagine going to school on a Sunday! Horrible right? But for these kids even Sunday is a working day because a day off will imply no money for that day. And unlike you or me who may have a stack full of our favourite dishes in our fridge, they barely have the bare necessities like rice or wheat. It is so hard for us to imagine a life like that, just think how hard it might be to live that life.

Yet, every time on the way to school when you see someone young, who is of your age how many times have you stopped and wondered how they are doing? If they are okay, do they need anything? How many times have you ignored them knowingly or unknowingly? The answer must be many. And no one can blame you for this as probably you thought they must be helping out their mother or father like you help out at home. But it’s high time you realise that that’s not the case. Especially if they are missing school or not even attending it to help out then it is not right at all. These are the times when you must speak up and alert your parents about the same so they can help them out.

How can I help stop child labour?

There are various ways in which you can help stop child labour. As you are a kid yourself, other kids are bound to feel more comfortable sharing their tales with you. This is where you can help connect them to the help that they require. You can help these kids in the following ways:

• Be aware of the laws: 

The best way to help other kids is to be aware of the laws that will legally protect these children from getting forced into manual labour. Article 21-A of the Indian Constitution makes it mandatory to provide all children between the ages of 6-14 with free and compulsory education. Further, Article 24 of the Indian Constitution prohibits the employment of children below the age of 14 years in any factory, mine, or hazardous or dangerous occupation. Knowing about these laws and more can help you guide those in need in the right direction.

• Educate and spread awareness:

Most of the time people participate in and encourage child labour because of a lack of awareness. Spreading awareness about the same by making posters and videos about the same helps spread awareness and saves many children in the long run.

• Educate the parents of the child engaged in child labour:

Educating the parents of the child engaged in child labour is highly important to stop the cycle of child labour. As the parents of the child, they have a major say in what happens in the life of their child. Educating them and making them aware of all the opportunities that will become available once their children become educated will ensure that they don’t force their children to go and do manual labour and send them to schools instead.   

• Volunteer at NGOs:

The best way to help more children in need is by volunteering at NGOs that focus on helping children who are stuck in the trap of child labour. Help out in whatever way you can. Being their friend is the best way for you to connect with them and help them realise their potential. You can help them understand how important education is and how it can benefit them in the long run.

• Don’t turn your back:

The most important thing that you need to remember is to never turn your back on them. No matter how easy it may seem it will haunt you for a long time. Before you turn your back on them, put yourself in their shoes and try to visualise how you would feel if you were in a similar situation and somebody else turned their back on you. You would definitely not feel nice. You would in fact feel sad. And that’s what they must feel too. So, the next time you see someone of your age selling tea by the roadside or working at somebody’s home or at a construction site, inform your parents so that they can take the appropriate action to help the kids in need.

Conclusion

You will be surprised to know that it is not easy to care for somebody else and be vigilant about others’ situations. However, taking the first step by being alert about the child labour happening around is a step in the right direction. Follow it up with spreading as much awareness as you can and you will be surprised by how much things will change. Child labour won’t end in a day, but it will also never end if we don’t try.