Bibadee Blog

The most important criteria is with whom you are most comfortable with. And you will be most comfortable with someone who has similar interests as you. If you like to play piano and play on computer, you may not get along well with someone who would rather play outdoor sports and doesn’t like either piano or computer. Just to clarify when I say ‘similar interest as you’ means most of them and not all. Don’t forget that you will have different friends: some at school, some in neighborhood that you just talk to but don’t spend a of time or feel close to them. Then there are close friends that you click with and will have lots of playdates with.

Most parents think that if their child is not interested in math and science, it’s just that they have no interest or aptitude on it.  New research by a team that includes vocational psychologists at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) indicates that the self-confidence instilled by parents and teachers is more important for young girls learning math and science than their initial interest.

While interest is certainly a factor in getting older girls to study and pursue a career in these disciplines, more attention should be given to building confidence in their abilities early in their education, says UWM Distinguished Professor Nadya Fouad. She is one of the authors of a three-year study aimed at identifying supports and barriers that steer girls toward or away from science and math during their education. “The relationship between confidence and interest is close,” says Fouad. “If they feel they can do it, it feeds their interest.”.   Dr. Fouad recently communicated with us stating that her research should be posted on her website by the end of this month. We kow that ‘A person is known by the company he keeps’ and teachers and parents can help boost the confidence.

Making friends is difficult for many people, not just for kids. Kids just need some extra help. One of the most popular books ever written, ‘How to Win Friends and Influence People’ by Dale Carnegie sold over 15 million copies. That book is for adults who need help making friends. It must not be easy for adults due to huge popularity of social networking sites as we know.

Making friends is one of the most important things you can do in your life. Good friends will be there when you need them, to have fun with, play with, do homework with, study with, share with, and just talk to. Even though making friends is so important, there are no classes in school on it. Do you think that learning how to make friends is as important and useful a subject as science and history?. I do. You can learn how to be friends with whomever you want. You just have to make the effort. Making friends can be easier than you think. Don’t forget to visit our newly launched forum.

Have you tried complementing at least 3 people a day? It is not hard to do so and you will see how the magic works. Let’s say you see someone with a new school bag. Ask her where she got it from. Find out where you can get the pair of shoes she is wearing? Did someone you know got a new pair of glasses and braces?  You can tell them they look good with them. Did you see someone sharing their lunch. Praise them for their kindness. If you do this, great things will happen to you. I promise.

The movie based on Rachel Simmons book Odd Girl Out is heartbreaking but a modern day reality. I learnt about the movie when I received a note from a parent on how real the story is and the positive impact Bibadee will have on many. I would highly recommend getting hold of the book or DVD and watch it.

Our society is getting complex, global and competitive. Our kids have to learn to socialize, recognize good from bad and pave their own way in life with confidence, success and humility. These life long skills are developed at a very early age where they learn to emulate their friends, build self-esteem and get support and confidence from. Schools can only do so much. We, as a parent, can help in this process, a lot, may be the only ones who can.

This is the first blog that we are writing on bibadee and this is an interesting topic that just came up as bibadee helps organizing both. Do birthday parties make the same impact as playdates in helping kids make close friends ?

Birthday parties have their own place. It is important to kids, as they feel special, cut that yummy cake and experience the thrill of opening up presents. But as far as making lifelong close friends through playdates, it doesn’t even come close.

I think  if we spent even one tenth of the time spent here on a Playdate, the kids would have a much closer friendship that can last a lifetime. Readers what do you think?

Note: You do not need an email address to post a comment.