Kara 4 Kids

Made 4 Mums . . . in India

2010-12-30T20:43:00.000+05:30

From infancy to adolescence - Free counselling service for Indian Mums and Dads

As the parent of a 21 year old son with ADHD, and a 19 year old daughter, I've spent a large part of the last 22 years attempting to educate myself on how to be the best parent possible.

In this quest I've lost track of the number of books I've read on child psychology, early years' development, adolescence, special needs, behaviour problems, parenting tips and more . . . an endless stream of case studies and articles from which I have drawn both inspiration (for the successes), and desperation (for my failures).

In addition to learning from my day-to-day parenting experiences, complemented by the above 'academic' approach, I have also taken time out to retrain as a teacher, study transactional analysis, work with special needs children, counsel parents/families, develop curriculum and more . . . all in an attempt to become that elusive 'perfect parent'.

And have I succeeded? No yet. But am passionately working on it!

Hence the birth of Made 4 Mums. I have benefited from a wide range of information and knowledge gained from friends, experts, family, community, professionals and most of all learning from my own mistakes; how to handle a child with croup at 3.00 am, how to motivate a hyperactive kid to listen, how to convert a fussy eater into a foodie, how to know when your teenager is telling the truth, where to look for help if your child is failing in school and more . . .

However my learning has often been painful and sometimes too late to be of full benefit. Time then to change this for others; to use technology to unite Mums throughout India by setting up a 'digital village' designed to provide Help 4 Mums, Knowledge 4 Mums, Information 4 Mums, Empowerment 4 Mums!

So if you have a problem or need some confidential advice from a non-judgemental fellow parent and/or professional, join 'Made 4 Mums' today and post your question.

Warm regards.

Katherine

Email: made4mums@kara.in
Mobile: +91 9880 414141
Blog: www.made4mums.blogspot.com
Facebook: Made4Mums

Sports Training for Babies and Toddlers . . . When to start and is it appropriate?

2010-12-13T17:43:00.000+05:30

Extract from a recent interview with Katherine, discussing the above topic:

"I think the phrase 'sports training for babies and toddlers' is perhaps a little too ambitious!" says Katherine Rustumji, CEO, Kara 4 Kids "our approach is to look at each young child's overall level of fitness and development - their potential - with a view to helping them become 'fit for life'."

Kara 4 Kids, one of India's leading early years' specialists with 3 schools currently operating in Bangalore and 1 in Gurgaon, utilises a range of fun programmes, custom designed to ensure every one of their young students develops a love of exercise, even from 6 months of age.

"The foundation for fitness and the ability to play any sport is essentially the same irrespective of age" says Katherine "we need stamina, balance, coordination, flexibility, discipline and good health". To achieve these objectives, Kara's in-school programmes include international climbing equipment, specialised early-childhood adventure sports, contemporary and classical dance, soft gym obstacle courses, yoga, gymnastics, football, cycles, fun activities and more. As to the 'good health' component, Kara believes that 'we are what we eat'; that diet matters, hence the children are provided with highly nutritious, home-cooked meals.

"We are often asked by parents how much exercise does a young child need every day and how can to help keep their young child fit?", says Katherine "and the answers are simple . . . a normal child needs a minimum of 60 minutes of good, aerobic exercise a day complemented by a balanced diet and some good old fashioned fun".

For many working parents and those living in apartments, this formula is not always easy to implement; where to find readily accessible, safe places to play; facilities with age appropriate equipment and more. Fortunately Bangalore has seen a plethora of children's activity centres open that offer a range of fun programmes for their young audience. However before enrolling your little one, always visit the facility first and check out the antecedents of the facilitators to ensure they are appropriately qualified. Young children have soft bones and connecting tissue, and fractures and dislocation can easily take place if inappropriate forces are applied.

As so when is the right age to begin? Kara starts off with babies of 6 months of age, using a range of simple exercises to build upper and lower body strength (gross motor), abdominal muscles, head control, and coordination (fine motor skills); the essential skills required to become an effective walker and eventual athlete perhaps?!

"Kara believes in the 'stronger the start the greater the finish' for every child and this applies to all spheres of development, whether academic, artistic or athletic. Therefore one is never too young to begin . . ." says Katherine.
For further details on Kara's early years' programmes and Mother & Toddler groups, please contact your nearest centre or visit us on www.kara.in.

Are your child's toys safe to play with?

2010-12-11T16:56:00.000+05:30

Do you know what you are buying for your child?

Parents are under increasing pressure from marketing organizations to buy toys and expensive technology to help their young child 'learn'; to stay ahead of the pack. But do you really know what you are buying for your little one and what 'effect' it may have on your child's development, irrespective of the manufacturer's claims? Is it really developmentally appropriate and safe?

In addition to Kara's ever-growing recommended reading list, the Kara Team is now beginning to work on a list to help parents use their money wisely when buying for their child; what to look for, where to go and the dangers to avoid.

If you would like to help us put this compilations together, then please click on the link below and complete the online survey.

Thank you!

Click here for Kara's survey

Kara Fan Page on Facebook . . . for latest news

2010-11-30T17:44:00.000+05:30

Click here to join us now!

Admission Season Approaches: Why Choose Kara?

2010-11-02T16:00:00.004+05:30

Dear Parents,

Every preschool is going to tell you they are the best – best infrastructure, best curriculum, best teachers and more – the real issue is which school is best for you and your child; how to make the best choice?

Naturally we at Kara consider ourselves to be the best extended preschool and daycare centre in India, so why?

Rather than having a detached business head, Kara is managed and run by a passionate, qualified educationalist with a proven track record in teaching, training, management, instructional design, curriculum development, special education and more, who started her career with one of India’s leading schools; Mallya Aditi International School; Katherine Rustumji.

As a British national who moved to India in 1992, Katherine launched Kara in 2006 with the objective of creating an organization that would set the gold standard in early childhood education and childcare in India; raising health, safety, hygiene and teaching practices to international levels. Kara now has 4 centres in India, with more in the pipeline, and continues to grow, thanks to the support of its parents!

By following its own custom-designed methodologies – learning.by.design™ + rhythm.of.childhood™ - Kara’s alumni continue to gain admission to some of India’s leading schools, confirming the school’s philosophy ‘the stronger the start, the greater the finish’ for every child, irrespective of individual learning style, previous experience or knowledge; providing customized education and care.

So is Kara the ‘best’ choice for your child? If you are looking for a home-away-from-home, professionally managed learning environment where the focus remains on the unique needs of your child, then perhaps you need to visit your nearest Kara centre and experience the ‘Kara difference’ for yourself.

Kara 4 Kids; guaranteeing peace of mind . . . to ensure the happiest kids are at Kara!

With warm regards.

The Kara Team

Common Cold - the facts

2010-10-27T14:09:00.008+05:30

What is the common cold? The common cold, also known as a viral upper respiratory tract infection, is a contagious illness that can be caused by a number of different types of viruses. Because of the great number of viruses that can cause a cold, the body never builds up resistance against all of them. For this reason, colds are a frequent and recurring problem. In fact, on average, preschool children have 9 colds a year; those in kindergarten, 12 colds a year; and adolescents and adults, 7 colds per year.

What are the symptoms of the common cold? Symptoms of a common cold include nasal stuffiness and drainage, sore throat, hoarseness, cough, and perhaps a fever and headache. Many people with a cold feel tired and achy. These symptoms typically last from 3-10 days.

How is the common cold spread? The common cold is spread mostly by hand-to-hand contact. For example, a person with a cold blows or touches his or her nose and then touches someone else who then becomes infected with the virus. Additionally, the cold virus can live on objects such as pens, books, and coffee cups for several hours and can be acquired from such objects. While common sense would suggest that coughing and sneezing spread the common cold, these are actually very poor mechanisms for spreading a cold.

Does it have anything to do with exposure to cold? Going out into the cold weather or getting ‘cold’ has no effect on the spread of a cold. The reason that there appears to be a relationship is that people spend more time indoors during the cold winter weather. In fact, however, it is the proximity to other people rather than the temperature outside that seems to be the culprit. For this same reason, children in day care or kindergarten are more prone to having colds.

www.medicinenet.com

Healthy Happy Birthdays at Kara!

2010-10-27T10:28:00.000+05:30

As the number of children at Kara has increased, so has the number of birthdays . . . . and our waistlines! Whilst we are extremely honoured to share your child’s birthday with you and are grateful for the superb supply of cake and snacks, in the interests of healthy eating, perhaps it is time for some dietary introspection?!

Cakes covered in a thick layer of icing and other processed/fried foods are high in calories but low in nutritional value. As a consequence of consuming items that contain large amounts of sugar, preservatives etc., some young children become hyper-active and general eating habits for the day can be disrupted, causing stress to the child and his/her parents.

Therefore, in response to feedback from several parents, we propose the following guidelines (for those of you who wish to celebrate your child’s birthday with his/her friends in school), in the best interests of all children:

1. Plain sponge cake only – no icing or cream to be supplied by parent. Alternatively a freshly made, home-baked cake can be purchased from Kara - contact your HOC for details.

2. Cake, candles etc., to be supplied to school no later than 9.00 am

3. No other snacks or eatables to be supplied

4. No give-aways – edible or not

5. Only 2 adults to attend ‘cake-cutting’ at time previously agreed with Kara staff

6. Only 1 birthday per day . . .

The happiest kids are at Kara!

Why do we educate?

2010-10-26T17:57:00.000+05:30

Having achieved the 'joyful' status of parenthood, most of us rapidly go onto:

- spending hours discussing it . . .
- years saving for it . . .
- and even longer paying for it . . .

But do we really know what the 'it' is when it comes to our kids:

- to be successful?
- to be happy?
- to find employment?
- to be independent?

It goes without saying that most of us want all of the above. However it remains an interesting philosophical debate as it can be argued that:

1. employment does not always guarantee independence
2. independence is no guarantor for success
3. success does not always bring happiness, and
4. happiness and employment do not always go hand-in-hand

So what is the purpose of an education today? What do we really want for our kids? And more importantly, what are the skills they will need to achieve this in today's ever-changing world?

If you would like to participate in a group discussion with Katherine on the above, please contact Vidhya at email: vidhya@kara.in or mobile: +91 98449 14141 for further details.

Join us now on Facebook!

2010-09-23T16:53:00.000+05:30

Keep up to date with the latest news from Kara 4 Kids; articles, photos events and more - simply click on the below link . . .

Kara Early Years' Kommunity

KiNDERkamps in October!

2010-09-20T11:44:00.000+05:30

School will be closed for the Dussehra Holidays between 11th and 15th October. All centres will be operating KiNDERkamps during this week to support our working parents.

If you would like to enroll your child in our KiNDERkamps, please contact your HOC at the earliest, to avoid disappointment.

NOTE: seats will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Hungry Caterpillar is Back . . . by popular demand

2010-09-17T12:04:00.000+05:30

Kara4kids would like to welcome you all to yet another exciting Kara Karnival at the Crossword Book Store, Frazer Town on the 18th September, Saturday.

The theme for this programme is woven around the very popular story of ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’ by Eric Carle. Along with story narration we will also be doing interactive learning activities for the children which will include:

-          Making a butterfly
-          Making a fruit basket using play dough
-          Making a cocoon
-          Making an ice cream cone
-          Making a caterpillar

Date: 18th September, Saturday
Venue: Crossword Book Store, Frazer Town
Time: 11 am – 1 pm
Age: 3 yrs to 8 yrs
Registration: Rs 100/- per child

If you would like to pre-register for this event, please call Rita at +91 98443 21212 or email info@kara.in

Looking forward to seeing you all there!

Warm regards . . . The JML Kara Team :)

Kara Karnival at Crossword

2010-08-18T10:49:00.000+05:30

Kara4kids would like to welcome you all to yet another exciting Kara Karnival at the Crossword book store on Residency Road on the 21st August, Saturday.

The theme for this weekend’s programme is woven around the very popular story of ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’ by Eric Carle. Along with story narration we will also be doing activities for the children which will include:
- Making a butterfly
- Making a fruit basket using play dough
- Making a cocoon
- Making an ice cream cone
- Making a caterpillar

Date: 21st August, Saturday
Venue: Crossword Book Store, Residency Road
Time: 11 am – 1 pm
Age: 3 yrs to 8 yrs
Registration: Rs 100

If you would like to pre register for this event, please call Rita at +91 98443 21212 or email info@kara.in

Kara4kids @ appleofmyi

2010-08-18T10:44:00.002+05:30

Kara4kids, Indiranagar presents a fun-time full of mauj and masti on the theme of ‘Jungle Book’ on the 21st of August, Saturday at the appleofmyi store at Indiranagar.

We will be singing a range of songs from Jungle Book and more along with live music and dance with Anshul, Bangalore’s leading choreographer. We will also be joined by a potter who will be making animals out of clay for the children to take back home!

Other activities will include:

- Making of paper bag puppets
- Making of Bear using a sponge
- Making of masks – exploring amazing jungle animals
- And many more….

Theme: Jungle Book
Date: 21st August, Saturday
Time: 11 am to 1 pm
Venue: appleofmyi store, 12th Main, HAL II Stage, Indiranagar
Registration: Rs. 150

If you would like to pre register for this event, please call Sunila at +91 98443 36363 or email at info@kara.in

Looking forward to seeing you all there.

Kara Karnival at Hippocampus - 7th August 2010

2010-08-06T13:07:00.001+05:30

Are you looking for a creative learning activity for your child this week-end?

Kara4kids and Hippocampus, Koramangala, are teaming up once again to present another exciting event - Baisakhi Mela of Punjab - on Saturday, 7th of August between 11.00 am and 1.00 pm.

Baisakhi marks the beginning of the New Year in the north western parts of India, particularly in the Punjab. It is celebrated all over the State on the first of Baisakh. This is the time when harvest is gathered and the farmer exults in the fulfillment of his year's hard work.

To give a true experience of the festival of Baisakhi, here are some activities Kara has planned:

Activities: Chocolate hampers, kite making, nagara, Punjabi dance and Charkha's
Dress code: Salwar kameez and kurta pyjama
Venue: Hippocampus 525, 16th Main, Koramangala 3rd Block, Bangalore 560 034
Age Group: 3 – 8 years
Timings: 11.00 am to 1.00 pm
Registration: Rs. 150 per child

Come and be a part of this celebration!

If you would like to know more about this programme, please get in touch with Meenu on mobile: +91 98441 32323 or email: hsr@kara.in.

Travelling on Bangalore's Treacherous Roads . . .is your child safe?

2010-07-19T18:24:00.025+05:30

Lap vs. Seat Belt vs. Child Car Seat . . . do you know fact from fiction?

In recent years there has been a significant increase in the number of infants, toddlers and pre-school-aged children who are being transported in cars and school buses, without any form of appropriate restraint or regard for safety.

In fact the exact number of children under the age of five riding on our roads is unknown. Nor are there any statistics regarding fatal accidents and injuries in this age group, despite India having one of the world's highest number of road fatalities.

Compared to the recent past, at least today most modern cars come fitted with both front and rear inertia reel seat belts, however these are formulated based on the passenger being a minimum of 5ft tall or 35 kgs in weight. For any individual smaller than this, these 'safety fittings', are not only ineffective but can actually cause serious injury in their own right.

As far as school and public transport go, neither options in India come fitted with seat belts, or even appropriate anchor systems to enable installation of child safety seats. As a consequence our young children are being put at high risk of accidental injury . . . a reality no matter how tightly or carefully we think we are holding our child.

In countries like the UK and US, safety developments are made using crash test dummies. The lives of our little ones are no less precious. Time then to empower ourselves with the information required to protect our young; to make our roads safer.

So what next:-

1. See the below video . . . it is an eye opener

2. Visit the following link for further details on which type of safety restraint is appropriate for your child/vehicle: http://www.childcarseats.org.uk. Details care of The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, UK (RoSPA).

3. Act . . .

Please forward this information to other friends with young children.

Celebrating Kara Kommunity Day - 13th July 2010

2010-07-13T15:28:00.000+05:30

Visiting the elderly at the Anand Ashram on Bannerghatta Road

Children, parents and staff have just returned to school after having a wonderful trip to the Anand Ashram, where the Kara HSR team visited the elderly earlier today, bearing smiles, friendship and gifts.

It was a particularly exciting expedition as everyone left the routine of a normal week day behind, to travel together on a new adventure; a convoy comprising Kara’s KiNDERbus, followed by several parents/grandparents - including Neeharika’s Mum (3+), Sanjana’s Grandmother (3+), Mehr ‘s Grandfather (2+), and Ajays’s parents (5+) - along with their cars; a special thank you to you all for accompanying us :)

The Ashram is extremely well maintained, which was a most pleasant surprise, and its staff and residents went out of their way to make all feel welcome, even singing ‘Nanne Munne Bache’ to our little ones, who in return sang ‘We Shall Overcome’, plus more . . .

The children naturally had many questions; who lives here and why? All of which were suitably answered by the Kara team; “their family live far away and can't take care . . . it's nice to live together with friends”, and more . . .

It was then time to distribute the gifts so generously donated by Kara's parents. At this stage several of the recipients commented that they had never before seen such little ones coming and sharing with them; taking so much interest. This was indeed a true delight to hear; the objective for this initiative having been fully achieved, confirming Kara’s Kommunity Day to be an overwhelming success!

Once again our sincere thanks to the whole Kara community at HSR - for your amazing support - ensuring smiles on the faces of both young and old.

With warm regards.

Katherine

Katherine Rustumji
CEO
Kara Learning Private Limited

Mobile: +91 9880 414141
Email: katherine@kara.in
Web: www.kara.in

DANGER . . . do you have this plant in your house?

2010-07-09T15:11:00.000+05:30

A Kara parent has forwarded the below information regarding the plant shown – commonly known as dumb cane - following reports that it is highly poisonous.

"This plant that we often find in our homes and offices is extremely dangerous. PLEASE BEWARE.

Common in Rwanda and also found locally in India, it is a deadly poison, especially for young children as it can kill a child in less than a minute and an adult in 15 minutes.

It needs be uprooted from gardens and taken out of offices. If touched, one should never touch one’s eyes; it can cause partial or permanent blindness. Please alert all your fellow parents, friends and more . . . ."

See this site for further details:

http://www.botanical-online.com/alcaloidesdiefenbaquiaangles.htm

We all need to watch out for each other's children as part of a larger community, so let's work together to ensure they have a safe environment in which to live and play.

Kommunity Day - 13th July 2010

2010-07-01T16:50:00.000+05:30

The young, old and under-privileged need our help . . . it's time to give back to our community

Every year Kara comes together as a Community to give back in some way, by using our collective time, energy, resources and more . . .

This year the focus is on the very young and the very old; those abandoned at the beginning of their lives, and those abandoned towards the end of theirs.

If you would like to participate in this initiative in any way, by donating time, energy or resources, please contact your closest Kara centre:

Indiranagar: Sunila on mobile: +91 98443 36363

Jayamahal: Rita on mobile: +91 98443 21212

HSR Layout: Meenu on mobile: +91 98441 32323

And let's not forget that but for the grace of God, that young child or elderly person could be someone close to us; someone we know.

Kara Karnival at Sapna Book House - Indiranagar

2010-06-29T13:03:00.001+05:30

Potty Training - When and How?

2010-06-16T12:52:00.000+05:30

Most parents eagerly anticipate potty training as a milestone in their child's development; if for no other reason than that it means an end to changing nappies. But few mums and dads are prepared for how long it can take. Some children get trained within a few days but many more take several months. Here are some suggestions that might help make the training process a speedy and stress-free success.

1 – Is your child ready to start potty training?
Just as with all developmental milestones, when it comes to potty training, every child has his own pace. If you wait until the right time for your child, there are higher chances that he learns the tricks of the trade rapidly. Many parents begin training as soon as their child can sit on their own, but some kids may not be ready until well into their third or fourth year. Watch for the right signs, such as when your toddler starts imitating others' bathroom habits. Here is a checklist that can help you determine if your child is ready. Pressuring him into starting early will probably make the whole process long and strenuous for both you and your child.

2 – Do you have the right equipment?
A good place to start potty training is to have a comfortable potty for your child. This means investing in a child-sized potty or a small toilet seat that latches onto your regular toilet. Most potties are designed to seat your child comfortably with his feet touching the ground. Potties have the advantage of being mobile but they have to be cleaned every time your child does a deposit. The child toilet seat latches onto your toilet so no potty cleaning is required but you will probably need a foot stool to help your child climb up and down on his own. Anchoring his feet on this stool might also help him maintain his balance when he pushes during a bowel movement.

You might want to start with a potty and when your child gets the hang of it move to a toilet seat of his size. Since the potty is of your child's size and height, it might be less intimidating than using the toilet straight away.

3 – Have you created an appropriate routine?
To start with, sit your child fully clothed on the potty once a day. Choose a time at which he is likely to pass stool - after breakfast, before his bath - and stick to that time every day. Toddlers like consistency so if you are regular, he will get used to the potty and accept it as part of his routine. But at this stage, don't try to explain why he should use it; just let him get accustomed to sitting on it for some time every day.

If your child refuses to sit on the potty, that's okay. Never restrain him or physically force him to sit there especially if he seems scared. If he is fussy or scared, he might well not be ready for potty training yet. Put the potty away, or at least aside and try again after a few weeks.

4 – When to ditch the nappy?
When your toddler has become familiar with the potty, remove his nappy the next time he sits on it. Let him get used to what it feels like to sit there this way. At this point you can explain to him that Mummy and Daddy (and any older siblings) do not wear nappies but sit on the toilet every time they need to pass urine or stool. You can make him feel that it is the grown-up thing to do and now that he is big it is time for him to do so as well.

If your toddler gets the idea and produces something, congratulate him heartily. But don't push him to perform. He will do so when he is ready and demonstrates a clear interest in using the toilet on his own. It's a good idea to teach your child from the very beginning to dress himself and wash his hands when he's done, even if he hasn't done anything. This will establish a good habit.

5 – Have you excited your child’s interest?
It may help to show your child where his stools go. The next time he poos in his nappy, take him to his potty, sit him down, and empty the nappy beneath him into the bowl. This will help him make the connection between sitting and producing. After you've emptied his potty into the big toilet, let him flush it if he wants to so he can see where it goes. If the flush frightens him, you should skip this so that he does not get scared of the toilet. For creative tips on how to encourage your child to use the toilet, try these tips from other BabyCenter parents.

6 – Are you encouraging your child to be independent?
Encourage your child to use his potty whenever he feels the urge to go. But make sure he knows that he can tell you, too, and that you'll take him to the bathroom whenever he wants you to. If you can, let him run around sometimes without a nappy (or any clothing below the waist), with the potty nearby. Tell him he can use it whenever he wants to and remind him occasionally that it's there if he needs it.

7 – Would your child benefit from training pants?
To make the transition between nappies and underwear, you may want to give your toddler what are known as training pants. Some children respond well to them while others just think of them as a different type of nappy and use them as such. If the training pants work, that's great. Otherwise, however inconvenient it may be for you, the discomfort of wet underwear can go a long way in motivating your toddler to become toilet trained.

8 – Are you prepared for ‘set-backs’?
Virtually every child will have several accidents before being completely trained during the day and at night. Don't get angry or punish your child. After all, it's only recently that his muscles have developed sufficiently to allow him to hold his bladder and rectum closed at all. Mastering the process will take time. When he has an accident, calmly clean it up and suggest that next time he try using his potty instead.

9 – Is your child ready for night training?
Even when your child is consistently clean and dry all day, it may take him several more months or years to master night training, so don't throw away his nappies just yet. At this age, his body is still too immature to reliably wake him up in the middle of the night just to go to the bathroom. You can help cut down on wet nights by not letting him drink too much before bedtime and telling him that if he does wake up in the middle of the night he can call to you to help him get to the potty. You can also try leaving his potty near the bed in case he wants to use it.

10 – Are you ready to celebrate . . . ?
Believe it or not, when your child is ready to learn this new grown-up skill, he will. And if you wait until he's really ready to start, the process shouldn't be too painful for either of you. He will eventually be trained, and you won't have to think about it again -- at least, not until the next baby... :)

Kara Kids in Kashmir!

2010-05-14T17:18:00.002+05:30

More Summer Fun from Kara HSR

Role-play, drama, storytelling, imagination and collaborative learning.

Dance, music, taking turns, rhythm, concentration and lots of fun!

Art and craft, problem solving, 3-D construction and creative application of new knowledge.

Costumes, jewellery, food, culture, self confidence and new friends :)

The happiest kids are at Kara!

Kara 4 Kids visits Punjab!

2010-05-14T16:31:00.008+05:30

Dear Friends,

We are thrilled to be able to share some pictures of Kara Jayamahal's KiNDERkamp experiences as the children spent a week exploring 'Incredible India'.

By day 4 the children had reached Amritsar by road and experienced all the wonderful treasures Punjab has to offer, including authentic cuisine (breakfast of besan and veg double roti toast with pudhine ki chutney, followed by tandoori roti, mahn di dal, baingan da bharta, salad and mithi lassi for lunch. Afternoon snack was fruit chaat.

In true Punjabi style the day ended with bhangra by the camp fire (Lohri). Dont miss our "Sanjha choola" dhabha with Anmisha serving us goodies!

Warm regards.

The Kara Team - Jayamahal

Kara Kids in Goa!

2010-05-04T17:18:00.004+05:30

KiNDERkamps - HSR Layout - Summer 2010

With each week that passes of this year's summer break, the childre at Kara 4 Kids, HSR Layout, have been participating on an amazing journey around India, exploring and re-creating each state through it's food, art, language, dress, culture, dance and more, much to the fun of all involved!

Perhaps the pictures tell it all?

If you would like your child to join Kara for the remaining weeks, to discover where the magical mystery tour is heading next, please contact Meenu on mobile: +91 98441 32323 or email: hsr@kara.in.

The happiest kids are at Kara!

Kara Karnival for Mother's Day

2010-05-04T17:05:00.003+05:30

Come One! Come All!!

Time to give back to all those special mums out there as Kara 4 Kids celebrates MOTHER’S DAY with a fun-fulled programme at:

Venue: Oxford Bookstore, Leela Galleria
Date: Saturday, 5th May 2010
Timings: 10.30 am to 1.00 pm
Age Group: 2.5 to 10 years
Registration: Rs. 150/- per child
Activities: Make a 'Mummy & Me' photo frame, storytime and more . . .
Facilitators: Kara's team of teachers from Kara 4 Kids, Indiranagar

For further details please contact Sunila on mobile: +91 98443 36363 or email: sunila@kara.in.

Are you and your child ready to start Preschool; new Academic Year?

2010-04-28T14:45:00.004+05:30

Dear Parents,

As we rapidly head towards another Academic Year at Kara, I'd like to thank you all for entrusting your child to our care and thought I'd pen a few lines with some ideas on how you can help ease the transition from home to school, whether you are a first time Kara parent or returning after the summer break.

Preschool is a stimulating and exciting new environment where young children begin to learn many important life-skills, through a range of custom-designed activities conducted by experienced practitioners and set within an age appropriate environment; how to share, take turns, ask questions, solve problems, become independent, trust others, embrace diversity; learn how to learn to ensure the stronger the start, the greater the finish for every child. This is the Kara difference.

However starting or returning to school can come with its share of emotions for both parent and child, some of which perhaps you are experiencing as you read this . . .

Anxious? Worried? Tearful? Uncertain? Apprehensive? Sensitive? Stressed?

If you can relate to any of the above then please rest assured, you are quite normal . . . simply read on and learn how to convert these emotions into empowering feelings of:

Calm - Confidence - Optimism - Security - Assurance - Stability - Trust and Joy

For every child entering a new environment - albeit with a new teacher, new friends, new routine - the experience can cause both anxiety and anticipation. For parents this transition - from home to school or even into a new class - is often even harder as we worry about how our child react; how will the moment of separation go? Will our child cry or fuss, or hang on to our leg, not wanting to let go? Or will he/she happily skip into the school with hardly a look back?!

And depending on your child, how will you react? Be emotional and close to tears? Relaxed and happy no matter what? We all want our children to be excited and eager to have a successful start, however it is important to be open to the possibility that the initial separation may be difficult and it is up to us as the parents to take the emotional ‘lead’.

The key to a successful transition into a new environment is your respective level of comfort and HOW YOU EXPRESS THESE FEELINGS OF RELAXATION AND WELL-BEING: the more self-assured you are about your decision to place your child in Kara and the more familiar the setting is to you both, the fewer problems you and your little one will experience. Remember your child will look to you for guidance as how to react to the situation; does he need to be stressed or can he happily run off and play?

First, be aware that it is normal for young children to cry when they have to say good-bye and try a new experience away from the familiar. Kara’s team is prepared for this and has a process for working through this initial period by establishing a bond between the child and a particular member of faculty that he/she relates to, finding out what interests him/her, using a range of music, animals, toys nature and more.

For some children this settling in period can take a couple of days and for others a couple of weeks. Every child is unique and it’s Kara’s job to react appropriately. All we need is your support; remain happy and calm, give brief and affectionate good-byes when you drop off and lots of BIG hugs when you pick up.

Most important is NEVER discuss your concerns in front of your child; this will communicate a lack of trust and foster feelings of insecurity. If you do have any anxieties, immediately contact your Head of Centre as she has many years of experience and is there to give you complete support and peace of mind.

I’m often asked if there’s something a parent can do to make this important transition easier and the answer is ‘yes, of course’. While there are no guarantees that everything will go smoothly - that you and your child won't perhaps shed a tear - there are many things you can do together to prepare for these first days, no matter what your child's age. Here are some suggestions:

Things to do:

 Arrange for your child to visit school before the first day or spend some time at the centre, perhaps as part of Kara's summer KiNDERkamp programme or simply over a cup of tea with the Kara team.

 When visiting the school make a point of exploring all areas and spaces with your child so that you both become familiar with the environment. Then you can talk together at home about what you saw. This is helpful to all children no matter what their age.

 Talk with your child about whether there is a special object (blanket, toy), he or she would like to bring to school for comfort. Make sure you find out about school rules, too. The object may have to stay with personal belongings.

 Talk with the teachers about whether you can send a family picture to post in a special place so your child can look at it during the day.

 Do some pretend play with your child about how you will go to school and how you will say good-bye. Imagine waking up, having breakfast, getting in the car or bus, walking in the door, kissing good-bye.

 Agree on a good-bye ritual: how many kisses, hugs, etc.

 Make sure your child is clear on who will pick him or her up and when; after lunch, after nap time, after evening tea?

 Find out something about the schedule for the day so you can talk it over.

 If you are sending lunch or a snack, involve your child in preparing it. Include a special note or picture or poem as a surprise.

 Allow enough time! Make sure you awaken early enough to have a relaxing morning, with time to dress and eat a good breakfast.

 Find out if your child's school staggers opening days with only certain children attending so that teachers have more time to spend with a smaller group. NOTE: Kara does operate a staggered opening system for new arrivals. Please contact your Head of Centre for further details.

 Find out in advance if you can stay with your preschooler for a while before saying good-bye if you think that is what is needed. NOTE: Some children respond better to a gradual transition from parent to new carer. We support this process at Kara and allow parents to stay in school until they feel comfortable and confident enough to depart. Please discuss this option with the Head of Centre.

 BRING TISSUES! This may be harder for you than your child. And remember, no matter how they appear, every other parent will be feeling the same way! Support each other.

Things to avoid:

• Do not place too much emphasis on the significance of starting school – what the child must do, how he/she must behave - this will only increase your child's anxiety. Young children can pick up on their parents' nonverbal cues. If you feel worried or nervous about leaving your child at school, he/she will sense that. The more calm and assured you are about your choice to send your child to preschool, the more confident your child will be.

• Do not hang around after you have said good-bye as agreed. Once your child sees that you are reluctant to leave, it is all over for the poor teacher; the tears will start as will the stress for your child. More important, NEVER sneak off without saying good-bye . . .

• Do not push your child away from you on the basis of “go and see what they’re doing . . .” , “go and play . . .”. Relax and pretend you are simply visiting a friend’s house and let your child explore at his/her own pace. Follow the teacher’s lead.

• Do not ask about your child’s day in an anxious tone or question the school’s policies or guidelines in front of him/her. This will undermine your child’s sense of security with his/her new carers and environment. If you have any queries or concerns, always telephone the centre later in the day to discuss further or arrange a one-to-one meeting.

If you have any queries or please do not hesitate to contact us.

Kind regards.

Katherine

The happiest kids are at Kara!

May the force we with you . . .

2010-04-28T14:11:00.002+05:30

Smelly noisy gen-set out and new environmentally friendly back-up power supply in . . . for both HSR Layout and Jayamahal . . . Indiranagar to follow shortly.

In response to the summer temperatures and the continued shortage of electricity, Kara has now completely upgraded it's back-up power solutions in the schools . . . to keep lights, fans and technology operational, much to the relief of all!

Warm regards . . . or should we now thankfully say 'cool' regards . . . ??

The Kara team

KiNDERbus at Jayamahal Extension . . . coming soon

2010-04-27T16:33:00.002+05:30

Do you live in RT Nagar / RMV / Benson Town / Cunningham Road / Bellary Road / Sadashivanagar and need school transport to and from Kara 4 Kids, Jayamahal?

Based on the success of its school transport service in HSR Layout, Kara 4 Kids is pleased to extend its KiNDERbus facility to its centre in Jayamahal Extension, from June 2010.

Subject to demand a customised route will be implemented in and around the Jayamahal area based on a first come, first served basis.

As per Kara's usual standards, this service will include:

- Kara wholly owned & regularly maintained vehicle - Maruti Versa with A/C
- Trained driver
- Mobile phone
- First aid kit
- Qualified Coordinator

If you would like further details about Kara's KiNDERbus option, please contact Arundathi on mobile: +91 98443 21212 or email jayamahal@kara.in.

The happiest kids are at Kara!

NEW KiNDERbus at HSR Layout

2010-04-27T16:08:00.004+05:30

Due to continued demand for its KiNDERbus initiative, Kara has purchased a NEW Tata Winger vehicle for its HSR Centre.

As with Kara's Maruti Versa, this vehicle is wholly owned and maintained by the company and will continue to be manned by a qualified driver together with a member of Kara's faculty.

In addition the Winger is fully air-conditioned (dual A/C front and rear), and has seats for 13 + 1; an additional capacity of 7 over the Versa.

Reservations for the KiNDERbus have already started and the final route will be designed on a first come, first served basis. So book now to avoid disappointment.

For further details please contact Meenu on mobile: +91 98441 32323.

Unit Tests, School Projects, Homework - Are you Stressed?

2010-04-26T12:30:00.003+05:30

Dear Friends,

As a working parent with 2 children, almost every evening in our house would disintegrate into open war fare as parent and child struggled to complete the allocated tasks with limited energy available, to the considerable stress of both.

As a teacher, the frustration was that despite completion I knew there was little value in the task; no learning had taken place therefore no understanding had been achieved. Thus making the whole painful exercise essentially null and void. Homework, school projects and units tests/exams were simply things that had to be 'survived', by both parent and child!

My kids are now 'grown-up' and new stresses have taken over from the above(!). However, whenever I speak to parents, there are many who seem to be going through similar experiences as we did and feeling equally isolated and alone:

"My child's homework is always incomplete . . . ?"

"The school is complaining that my child is falling behind . . . ?"

"I am a single mum and don't have enough time to give my child in the evenings . . ?"

"My child has ADHD and cannot concentrate on his homework . . . ?"

If you are a parent who needs help do get in touch with your nearest Kara centre; we are happy to support in whatever way we can, if only by listening over a cup of tea!

Warm regards.

Katherine

Kara 4 Kids - HSR - Meenu on mobile: 98441 32323
Kara 4 Kids - Jayamahal - Arundathi on mobile: 98443 21212
Kara 4 Kids - Indiranagar - Sunila on mobile: 98443 36363

HOMEwork Klub from Kara - 6 to 10 years

2010-04-23T16:37:00.006+05:30

Dear Parents,

- Does your child struggle to complete his/her homework?
- Are you a working parent with no time to help with homework?
- Does your child need support preparing for unit tests?
- Is your child struggling with a particular subject in school?

If you have answered "Yes" to any of the above then perhaps Kara 4 Kids' NEW HOMEwork Klub can help take the stress out of your evenings . . . and give your the child the essential learning support he/she may need.

Timings: 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm - Monday to Friday
Group size: Maximum 6 per group
Topics:
- Mathematics
- English
- Hindi
- Environmental Sciences
- Social Sciences
- History
- Geography
- Art and Project Work
Registration Fees: Rs. 1,500
Monthly fees: Rs. 3,000
Launch Date: June 2010

Please note that this initiative from Kara is NOT a regular tuition service.

Kara's HOMEwork Klub will operate on a personalised basis with children working in small groups under the guidance of Kara's experienced faculty.

Within this format, the focus will remain on the specific needs of each child thereby allowing time and scope for individual/group discussion, design and completion of school projects and more . . .

For further detail please contact Meenu on mobile: +91 98441 32323 or email: info@kara.in.

Warm regards.

The Kara Team

Theatre Week at Jayamahal . . .

2010-04-23T16:09:00.006+05:30

Dear All,

The Theatre KiNDERkamp at JML has been an amazing week as teachers and children have explored together the world of theatre by making puppets (stick, paper mitt and more), props, puppet theatres, storygami, onomatopeias, music, chants, dance, mudras, facial expressions, story related games and more . . .

We're sure you can guess some of the stories from the activities; The Lion and the Mouse, The thirsty Crow, The Princess and the Frog to name but a few.

In addition to the above, the children were challenged to think creatively; how to convert everyday objects into magical props; a tray and a napkin for cafe role play, a baton and hat (origami) for a samurai . . .

So as we all head into the week-end, here's looking to next week's KiNDERkamp; "Kara Khaana Khazaana".

Warm regards.

Arundathi
Head of Centre
Kara 4 Kids - Jayamahal

Mobile: +91 98443 21212
Email: jayamahal@kara.in

Indiranagar - a first small step!

2010-04-22T12:45:00.004+05:30

A Week of Wonders……

Kara 4 Kids' Indiranagar Team held its first KiNDERkamp – A Week of Wonder - from 29th March to 3rd April, much to the appreciation of all involved . . . including several mums! The smiles tell it all :)

Kara’s team of professional educators and facilitators put together
a fun filled programme explaining and exploring an eclectic range of folk tales from around the world.

Based on the theme of each story, the children participated in range of multi-sensorial activities, designed to stimulate their creativity and ensure much fun was had by all.

For further details regarding continued summer camps at Kara's NEW Indiranagar centre, please contact Sunila on mobile: +91 98443 36363.

The happiest kids are at Kara!

Summer Camps from Kara 4 Kids Bangalore

2010-03-29T14:30:00.002+05:30

Taking the Heat out of Summer . . .

Holidays may be a fun time for kids, however the combination of hot weather and highly active children often leads to plenty of stress for parents, especially if they are working. Thankfully the number of summer camps in Bangalore has increased dramatically in recent years, to ensure that both children and parents can now enjoy the long summer break, relatively stress free.

So how to choose the right programme for you and your child? Today, there are many camps that include a wide range of activities under one roof with the benefit that children do not have to be ferried around from one side of town to the other, thereby saving fuel costs and wear and tear on mum, dad and little one. As for content, look for camps that offer a wide range of activities that are new to your child, to ensure maximum learning opportunity.

It is also important to select a programme and environment that is age appropriate and matches your child’s interests and personality. For example, would your child benefit from the more standard format of swimming and cricket classes, or do you think he or she would enjoy something more unique and challenging like rock climbing, drama, rappelling, art & craft, music, dance, 3-D construction, computer courses, basic animation, martial arts, trekking, and more; the list goes on.

Never underestimate your child. Most children are keen to experiment and try activities outside their usual routine of home, school and structured academics. Therefore, look for a well designed and professionally managed camp that will challenge your child to develop his or her natural leadership and problem solving skills; essential components to being successful in life, irrespective of school performance or academic grades.

Finally before enrolling your child, check out the antecedents of the programme organisers - management and facilitators – to satisfy yourself with regard to what measures have been taken to ensure health and safety; do they have training in First Aid and CPR, what experience of working with your child’s age group, do they have a proven track record, is the environment age appropriate and child-friendly and do you think your child will enjoy this new experience?

To help find a good selection of camps ask your child’s school, talk to friends and neighbours, or search the internet. Good luck and have a great summer!

Warm regards.

Katherine

Even more support for working parents

2010-03-22T15:10:00.003+05:30

An extra hour can make all the difference . . .

We are always pleased to received feedback from all members of the Kara Kommunity, and where possible, implement appropriate change and improvement.

As an example of this we are pleased to announce that Kara's working day for Bangalore is now being extended by an extra hour - from 5.30 pm to 6.30 pm - to give additional support to our working parents.

For further details on this new option, please contact the respective Head of Centre:

Indiranagar: Sunila mobile +91 98443 36363

Jayamahal: Arundathi mobile + 98443 21212

HSR Layout: Meenu mobile +91 98441 32323

Kara 4 Kids: extended preschool and daycare centres for children aged 6 months to 6 years from 8.30 am to 6.30 pm

KiNDERkamp at Indiranagar

2010-03-09T17:20:00.003+05:30

KiNDERkamps – Summer 2010

Holidays have never been so much fun!

 Are you looking for a stimulating holiday programme for your young child?
 Are you a working parent in need of support during the long summer break?
 Do you need a summer camp that offers timings between 8.30 and 6.30?

Kara4Kids is pleased to launch its successful KiNDERkamp programme at its NEW centre in Indiranagar.

Kara’s team of professional educators and facilitators has put together a wide range of fun multi-sensorial activities designed to stimulate your child’s creativity, self-confidence, problem solving skills and more . . . to ensure the happiest kids are always at Kara!

Format: 8 No. individual weekly themes
Dates: starting Monday 5th April 2010 to Friday 28th May 2010
Venue: Kara4Kids, No. 872/F, Michael Palya Road, Off 80 Ft Road, HAL II Stage, Indiranagar, Bangalore, 560 038 (opposite Sapna Book Store)
Age group: 2 years to 8 years
Timings: 8.30 am to 6.30 pm
Weekly themes: Folk Tales, At the Beach, Dinosaurs, Science and Maths, Wealth from Waste, Festivals of India, Music Dance & Movement and Spectacular Sports
Rates: From Rs. 1,650/- per week*

Each week’s theme will ensure your child’s learning becomes visible to both him and you. This is part of Kara’s unique methodology; learning.by.doingTM.

For further details please contact Sunila on mobile: +91 98443 36363 or email indiranagar@kara.in.

* rate according to time-slot selected

Kara 4 Kids - Indiranagar announces . . .

2010-03-08T19:23:00.003+05:30

Come along and meet the new Kara-Indiranagar team at . . .

apple of my i
12th Main, HAL Stage II
INDIRANAGAR, Bangalore 560 038

For a week-long summer-camp from 29th March 2010 to 3rd April 2010.

Age Group: 2 to 6 years
Theme: Folk Tales

Conducted by Kara's professsional team of trained educators, this custom-designed workshop will include a range of fun activities including:

Music & Movement
Art & Craft
Rhyme Time
Treasure Hunt
Kite Flying
Puppetry
Pottery
Origami . . . and more!

Fees: Rs. 1,200/- ALL INCLUSIVE

For further details please contact:

Mobile: 98443 36363
Tel: 080 4115 4031
Email: info@kara.in

The happiest kids are at Kara!

Kara Opens NEW Centre - INDIRANAGAR

2010-03-08T19:05:00.003+05:30

Be the change that you want to see in the world
Mohandas Gandhi

The team at Kara is proud to announce the opening of school's 3rd centre in Bangalore at

80 Feet Road
INDIRANAGAR
(opposite Sapna Book Store)

ADMISSIONS OPEN

for

Age Groups: 6 months to 6 years
Timings: 8.30 am to 6.30 pm
Programmes:
Mummy and Me
Playgroup
Preschool
After-school
Holiday Camps
Learning Support

For further details do please get in touch with us:

Contact: Sunila
Mobile: 98443 36363
Email: info@kara.in
Web: www.kara.in

The happiest kids are at Kara!

KiNDERkamps - Summer - 2010

2010-02-22T15:58:00.005+05:30

Summer fun @ Kara :)

Are you looking for a stimulating learning environment for your young child?
Do you need a holiday camp that offers flexible timings between 8.30 am and 5.30 pm?
Are you a working parent in need of support during the long summer break?
Do you know your child's potential for genius?
Are you located near HSR layout, Jayamahal Extension or Indiranagar?

Kara 4 Kids is once again conducting its successful summer KiNDERkamps programme for all children aged 2-8 years.

This summer Kara's professional team of educators will be hosting a range of interactive and multi-sensorial, fun activities, custom designed to stimulate your child's creativity, self-confidence, problems solving skills and more; exploring his/her individual genius.

For further details please contact:
Mobile: HSR Layout: 98441 32323 - JML: 98443 21212 - INDIRANAGAR: 98443 36363
Email: info@kara.in

The happiest kids are at Kara!

Do you know how to uncover the Genius in your child?

2010-01-06T19:29:00.002+05:30

One is not born a genius, one becomes a genius . . .
Simone de Beauvoir

Despite the popular perception that a genius is someone of high intellectual capacity, particularly in academics, the true meaning is much broader encompassing an individual’s natural abilities and talents in any field of endeavour, AS LONG AS THERE IS AN ORIGINAL CONTRIBUTION TO THAT FIELD . . .

As de Beauvoir states a genius is not born; he or she is created and usually 3 factors are involved in the process; Environment, Purpose and Opportunity.

‘Environment’ includes those elements that support a child’s physical, cognitive and emotional development and include regular exercise (to ensure a healthy body), good nutrition (to support development of body and brain), and strong caring relationships (to guarantee high levels of self esteem, confidence and stability).

‘Purpose’ refers to the challenges and needs posed to our children as they are growing up; how to write like Didi, how to cook like Amma, how to swim like Papa? As members of the human species, children are highly social and are driven by the desire to succeed; to be admired and accepted by their peers, by their relatives, by their community; to become contributing members of society and to function successfully within the same.

The importance of ‘Opportunity’ cannot be over-emphasized, as without being given the opportunity to explore individual natural ability, no child is ever going to discover his or her genius, albeit as a musician, cook, artist, mathematician, sportsman, counselor, doctor, engineer, animator . . . the list is endless.

For most communities the importance of ‘environment’ primarily comes into focus during the early years, 0-6; is he eating enough; is he or she developmentally on track with her peers; is she emotionally ready for school?

The concept of ‘Purpose’ then follows during the primary-school years, 7-12; is he motivated enough to work independently; is she able to effectively resolve problems; is he able to make good judgment calls?

And finally the notion of ‘opportunity’ comes into play during the senior years, 13-18+.

Unfortunately this sequence or 'developmental flow’ can lead to a child’s true genius being left undeveloped; only to be discovered as a missed opportunity later in life. If you wish to discover your child’s true natural abilities – his or her genius – you need to integrate all 3 elements into your child's development curve NOW, during the early years.

Therefore to lay the foundation for success:

1. Create an emotionally safe and healthy environment full of strong relationships
2. Allow your child to question and make mistakes; to develop curiosity, self-motivation and creativity
3. Identify a creative and caring pre-school with a proven track record in both academics and extra-curricular activities so that your child can explore his or her own natural talents in all areas of creative development; to explore his/her infinite potential

At Kara we say the stronger the start the stronger the finish . . . help make this a reality for your child.

Kara Annual Day - Souvenir Programme

2009-11-05T17:53:00.004+05:30

Do you have a message you would like to send to the Kara Kommunity?

If the answer is "yes", then you may be interested to advertise in Kara's Souvenir Programme being issued to commemorate the Schools' spectacular Annual Day on 23rd January 2010, entitled participation for all.

In keeping with Kara's usual standard of visual design and quality printing, this programme will be produced in an A5 format with both full colour and black and white options:

Full Page Colour inside front cover @ Rs. 5,000
Full Page Colour inside rear cover @ Rs. 5,000

Full Page Colour right facing @ Rs. 2,900 x 4 No. pages only
Full Page Colour left facing @ Rs. 2,500 x 4 No. pages only

Full Page B/W right facing @ Rs. 1,800 x 4 No. pages only
Full Page B/W left facing @ Rs. 1,500 x 4 No. pages only

The balance content will include photographs of all the children participating in the event, together with details of the certificates awarded to them; Kara's Rapid Readers, Mathematical Magicians, Terrific Tidy-uppers and more . . .

For further details and to block your space, please contact Sunila on mobile: +91 98443 36363 or email: sunila@kara.in.

Kara at CROSSWORD - 21st November 2009

2009-11-05T17:52:00.000+05:30

Once upon a time . . .

Come and join the Kara team at CROSSWORD Bookstore on Saturday, 21st November and watch your child spend a fun-filled morning exploring the wonderful tale of The Axe and the Woodcutter.

- See the drama (enacted by Kara's own students)
- Learn the script (explore new vocabulary)
- Make the props (to re-enact the story at home)

Venue: CROSSWORD Bookstore, Residency Road, Bangalore
Time: 11.00 am to 1.00 pm
Date: Saturday, 21st November 2009
Contact: Arundathi, Head of Centre, Kara 4 Kids, Jayamahal Extension
Mobile: +91 98443 21212
Email: jayamahal@kara.in

An opportunity NOT to be missed!

Kara Konnect Klub - JML - 7th November 2009

2009-11-05T17:35:00.004+05:30

• Did you know that reading aloud helps to build a strong emotional bond between parent and child?

• Did you know that reading stimulates the muscles of the eyes and helps in mental development?

• Did you know that children who love to read have comparatively higher IQ scores?

In this fast moving age where kids seem to prefer the stimulation of multi-media content delivered via television and computer, it is a tragedy that many of our little ones are losing a love of reading; the joy and mystery of the printed word.

As a consequence it is becoming increasingly difficult for us as teachers and parents to inculcate this simple leisure activity into our children's lives; instead they are developing an unhealthy addiction to technology.

To know more about the importance of book reading and the benefit it can bring to you and your child, Kara will be hosting an interactive session with Mrs. Lakshmi Vaidyanathan, mother of children’s author Mrs. Hema Vaidyanathan. Mrs. Hema’s book called Amma’s Tales presents beautiful stories on Hindu mythology called ‘Tales of How and Why’.

As part of Kara's Konnect Klub initiative, Mrs. Lakshmi will be having a book reading session followed by an interactive discussion on “How and why books are an important part of a child’s life”.

Guest Speaker: Mrs. Lakshmi Vaidyanathan
Topic: How and Why books are an important part of a child’s life
Date: Saturday, 7th November 2009
Time: 10.30 am to 12:00 pm
Venue: Kara 4 Kids, No. 6, 4th Main, 6th Cross, Jayamahal Extension
Refreshments: Tea, Coffee and snacks will be served
Contact: Arundathi
Mobile: +91 98443 21212
Email: jayamahal@kara.in

This programme is open to ALL parents, so please feel free to bring along a friend!

Is your child moving into an ICSE or CBSE School?

2009-11-03T22:27:00.000+05:30

Do you speak Hindi at home? If not, please read this.

At Kara, nearly all children enter school speaking their mother tongue which by default becomes their 1st language.

Once enrolled in an English speaking environment, as at Kara, English then becomes the de facto 2nd language.

From Kara, most students then move into mainstream schools where Hindi becomes the compulsory 3rd language.

To further complicate the matter, most mainstream schools (ICSE and CBSE), teach Hindi as a 1st language due to both Examination Boards being based in Delhi, where Hindi is largely the mother tongue.

As a consequence of this, little consideration is given to those children for whom Hindi may be their 3rd language or more. Therefore each child that comes from a non-Hindi speaking home is at a considerable disadvantage . . .

To help correct this imbalance, Kara has launched a new KiNDERklasses initiative based on the hypothesis that we may not be able to change the attitude of the Boards, but we can change our children's level of knowledge; to prepare them for school.

If you feel your child would benefit from this programme please contact Meenu on mobile: +91 98441 32323 or email: hsr@kara.in.

School Admission - The Age Dilemma

2009-11-01T18:00:00.004+05:30

To be or not to be . . . the youngest or oldest in class?

As a parent I was faced with the dilemma of having a bright, articulate child who managed to get a seat into a good school, despite being one of the youngest applicants with up to a year's gap between him and many of his classmates.

This situation presented us with a dilemma 'What is the right thing to do? Admit him or wait another year?'. After some consideration we put him into school . . . and regretted it for the next 10+ years.

Our son had the intelligence to cope with school but lacked the emotional maturity, social skills and physical stature required to be successful beyond pure academics. As a consequence most of his school years were miserable, as everything for him was a greater struggle; I cannot describe the pain of seeing your own child in distress and being powerless to do anything to resolve it.

Back to the present day! As admission season is in full swing, I know that many parents are facing the same dilemma. So what is the best thing to do for YOUR child?

Kara believes that the 'stronger the start' the 'greater the finish'. In support of this 'belief' extensive research confirms that the greater finish does NOT come with an 'earlier start'; in fact quite the contrary.

Therefore, if you feel your child will benefit from being given an additional year and the school you are applying for permits (vis a vis age criterion), please think seriously about giving your little one an additional year of childhood - to grow and develop - there is plenty of time for big school . . .

Warm regards.

Katherine

PS: My son is now 20 years old and caught up with his appropriate age group after repeating a year in High School in the US. He is now in college in Bombay and enjoying life . . . but don't ask him about school in Bangalore!!

Kara at CROSSWORD - 24th October 2009

2009-09-29T17:48:00.009+05:30

The Rainbow

When the rain falls down and the sun comes up
A rainbow does appear

With many colours, shaped like a cup
It’s glow will draw you near

Red and orange and yellow too
So warm upon the eyes

Plus green and indigo, violet and blue
Such a colourful surprise

Rainbow, rainbow, so far away
Floating in the sky

Like the bubbles that my mummy blows
When you go away I cry :(

So stay with me all day and night
You can sleep above my bed

And in the morn when we wake up
We can both dress up in red!

Or maybe blue - I like that too
To match my new dress shoes . . .

Rainbow, rainbow my best friend
Which colour shall we choose?

The simple fact is that all children love anything to do with colours; painting, drawing, sticking, printing, colouring, making stuff, mixing and more . . .

Using this theme - colours - the team from Kara 4 Kids invites all children aged 1.5 to 4 years to join them for an interactive session exploring how colours can be used to engender a love for poetry; painting with words!

Venue: CROSSWORD Bookstore, Residency Road, Bangalore
Time: 11.00 am to 1.00 pm
Date: Saturday, 24th October 2009
Contact: Meenu, Head of Centre, Kara 4 Kids, HSR Layout
Mobile: +91 98441 32323
Email: hsr@kara.in

An opportunity NOT to be missed!

Paediatric Eye Camp - HSR - 5th October

2009-09-29T13:41:00.004+05:30

Dear Parents,

As a part of Narayana Nethralaya’s 25th year anniversary celebration, they are conducting a series of complimentary eye camps for the detection and prevention of any visual problems in early childhood.

The team, including a Senior Paediatric Ophthalmologist and Optometrist, will be visiting Kara 4 Kids, HSR Layout with the latest testing tools to screen all our students. If any child is detected with a visual problem, parents will be informed and follow up appointment(s) can be taken at their institute in Bangalore.

Narayana Nethralaya will be at the HSR centre on Monday 5th October from 9.00 am. Please note that all children will be tested. If you have any objection we would be grateful if you could send in a written note to Meenu or email her at hsr@kara.in.

Parents who have any concerns/questions regarding this initiative can please contact Meenu on mobile: +91 98441 32323.

With kind regards.

Kara Konnect Klub - JML - 3rd October 2009

2009-09-29T12:40:00.003+05:30

Are you doing enough to protect your child's eyes?

Dear Parents,

According to a study done by the American Optometric Association “5 % to 10% of pre-schoolers and 25% of school-aged children” have undiagnosed vision problems. Early identification of such cases is crucial as the younger the child the more successful the treatment.

As parents, it is essential to be aware of how to protect our child’s eyes and avoid problems in the future. There are many eye diseases that can be prevented or whose progression is slowed down with proper precautions and healthy eating. It all starts with the knowledge of keeping the eye healthy!

Dr. Ashwin Mallipatna, an eminent Paediatric Ophthalmologist consulting at Narayana Nethralaya will be addressing the Kara community as part of the Kara Konnect Klub initiative. We will also be having a Q & A session at the end of the presentation where parents are welcome to ask any questions that they might have regarding their child’s ‘eye-health’.

Guest Speaker: Dr. Ashwin Mallipatna, Paediatric Ophthalmologist
Topic: Complaints that could indicate serious eye problems in early childhood
Date: Saturday, 3rd October 2009
Time: 10.30 am to 12:00 pm
Venue: Kara 4 Kids, No. 6, 4th Main,6th Cross, Jayamahal Extension
Refreshments: Tea, Coffee and snacks will be served
Contact: Arundathi
Mobile: +91 98443 21212
Email: jayamahal@kara.in

Kind regards.

PS: The Kara Konnect Klub is a Kara Kommunity initiative and is FREE. As such this invitation is open to all. Do please share this with your friends!

PPS: If you would like to be a hospitality partner for this event by contributing some form of snack, please contact Arundathi!

URGENTLY NEEDED!

2009-09-23T15:02:00.003+05:30

Digital Camcorder

If you have an old/spare camcorder, do please get in touch with Meenu on mobile: +91 98441 32323 or email: hsr@kara.in.

Both the HSR and JML are eager to film your child's learning - to share with you - and in order to do this we need the appropriate equipment.

Thanking you all in advance for your help.

Regards.

Katherine

Kara Konnect Klub - HSR - 25th September 2009

2009-09-21T15:21:00.004+05:30

Are you doing enough to protect your child's eyes?

Dear Parents,

According to a study done by the American Optometric Association “5 % to 10% of pre-schoolers and 25% of school-aged children” have undiagnosed vision problems. Early identification of such cases is crucial as the younger the child the more successful to treatment.

As parents, it is essential to be aware of how to protect our child’s eyes and avoid problems in the future. There are many eye diseases that can be prevented or whose progression is slowed down with proper precautions and healthy eating. It all starts with the knowledge of keeping the eye healthy!

Dr. Shalini Shetty, an eminent doctor consulting at Apollo Hospitals and our very own Kara parent, will be addressing the Kara community all as part of the Kara Konnect Klub initiative. We will also be having a Q & A session at the end of the presentation where parents are welcome to ask any questions that they might have regarding their child’s ‘eye-health’.

Guest Speaker: Dr Shalini Shetty, MS, FRCS (UK), Consultant Ophthalmologist, APOLLO HOSPITALS
Date: Friday, 25th September 2009
Time: 4.30 pm to 6.00 pm
Venue: Kara 4 Kids, 65 IAS Officer’s Colony, 15th Cross, 4th Sector, HSR Layout, Bangalore 560 034
Refreshments: Tea, Coffee and snacks will be served
Contact: Meenu
Mobile: +91 98441 32323
Email: hsr@kara.in

If you are a parent of a child attending our HSR school till 3.00pm and if you would wish to attend this talk, you can opt for your child to stay back at school from 3:00pm until the end of the event. Snacks and activities will be provided for your child.

If you have further questions, please talk to Meenu regarding this.

Kara's Konnect Klub is a Kara Kommunity initiative and is FREE. As such this invitation is open to all. Do please share this with your family and friends!

If you would like to be a hospitality partner for this event by contributing some form of snack, please contact Meenu.

Kara Karnival + Open Day - JML Extension

2009-09-21T11:41:00.001+05:30

Dear Parents, Family and Friends,

Are you ready to be wowed, bowled-over and amazed? Are you ready to see what the children have learnt so far this academic year?!

If you’ve answered yes to any of the above, then please join the Kara 4 Kids’ team at:

Venue: Kara 4 Kids, JML Extension
Date: Saturday, 10th October 2009
Timing: 10.30 am to 12.30 pm

. . . to celebrate the joy of learning .

So keep those calendars free . . .

Warm regards.

Katherine

PS: Details of full programme to follow shortly :)

Kara Karnival + Open Day - HSR Layout

2009-09-21T11:37:00.004+05:30

Dear Parents, Family and Friends,

Are you ready to be wowed, bowled-over and amazed? Are you ready to see what the children have learnt so far this academic year?!

If you’ve answered yes to any of the above, then please join the Kara 4 Kids’ team at:

Venue: Kara 4 Kids, HSR Layout
Date: Saturday, 3rd October 2009
Timing: 4.30 pm to 6.30 pm

. . . to celebrate the joy of learning .

So keep those calendars free . . .

Warm regards.

Katherine

PS: Details of full programme to follow shortly :)

NEW KiNDERklasses from Kara - Animation Classes

2009-09-21T10:33:00.005+05:30

School has never been so much fun!

For many children today, school and learning have become negative experiences; sitting in over-crowded classrooms, over-burdened curriculum, continuous unit tests, lack of opportunity to be creative and more . . . So how to put the fun back learning; to stimulate each child to ensure he/she is engaged with ALL aspects of learning, for example:

Math: problem solving, sequential thinking, continuity
Language: storyboarding, creative writing, vocabulary,
Science: technology, ICT, making materials, experimentation
Physical: fine motor skills, eye-hand coordination, increased sitting tolerance
Social/Emotional: collaborative learning, psychological awareness, concentration, working independently
Creative: working in 2-D and 3-D, painting, colouring, set-design, characterisation, voice modulation, drama and more . . .

And the answer is?!

K L A Y - N - M O T I O N

As part of Kara’s KiNDERklasses initiative, we are pleased to offer Klay-N-Motion animation classes (open to ALL students including non-Kara Kids), from October 2009, conducted by our expert facilitator/animator, Jeeva.

Venue: Kara 4 Kids, HSR Layout
Days: Mondays and Wednesdays
Timings: 4.00 pm to 5.00 pm
Dates: October to December
Age Group: 4 – 8 years
Contact: Meenu
Mobile: +91 98441 32323
Email: hsr@kara.in

An opportunity NOT to be missed!

NEW KiNDERklasses from Kara - Hindi for Beginners

2009-09-21T10:27:00.003+05:30

Learning has never been so much fun!

Within a nation where Hindi is taught as a first language and yet remains a strange and alien tongue for many of its children (especially in the South), Kara is pleased to introduce Hindi for beginners as part of its KiNDERklasses initiative.

This programme (open to ALL students including non-Kara Kids), will be conducted by a native of Madhya Pradesh and highly experienced teacher, Mrs Shobha Sharma, M.Sc, M.Ed (Science).

Using a range of stories, rhymes, song, activities and more, children will be exposed to the delights and poetry of the language - its grammar, vocabulary and text – to lay the essential foundation for future studies in school.

Venue: Kara 4 Kids, HSR Layout
Days: Mondays and Wednesdays
Timings: 4.00 pm to 5.00 pm
Dates: October to December
Age Group: 4 – 8 years
Contact: Meenu
Mobile: +91 98441 32323
Email: hsr@kara.in

So what will your child learn?

• To comprehend
• To speak
• To read
• To write

NEW KiNDERklasses from Kara - Applied Sciences

2009-09-21T10:18:00.004+05:30

Experimenting has never been so much fun!

As the quantum of information and knowledge our young children are exposed to and expected to understand continues to increase, Kara has decided to add a new initiative to its KiNDERklasses syllabus to enrich the children’s understanding of applied sciences.

This programme (open to ALL students, including non-Kara Kids), will be conducted by Mrs Shobha Sharma, M.Sc, M.Ed (Science), and will explore key scientific concepts that make up biology, physics and chemistry, using a multi-sensorial approach custom-designed to meet the learning styles of young children.

Venue: Kara 4 Kids, HSR Layout
Days: Tuesdays and Fridays
Timings: 4.00 pm to 5.00 pm
Dates: October to December
Age Group: 4 – 8 years
Contact: Meenu
Mobile: +91 98441 32323
Email: hsr@kara.in

So what will your child learn?

To cultivate a scientific approach to learning using a range of hands-on activities and experiments i.e.to develop a range of skills to solve problems, to make connections between previous experiences and new knowledge, and to organise and effectively communicate information, observations and findings.

• To think
• To question
• To create
• To learn

Klay-N-Motion

2009-09-01T17:20:00.007+05:30

A new addition to Kara's KiNDERklasses initiative

Ideal for children aged from 3-8 years, animation has to be perhaps the most fun way to spend an afternoon!

So what can a child learn from such a 'non-academic' subject:

1. concentration and sitting tolerance - to help in school
2. sequencing and problem solving - math concepts
3. observation and experimentation - science skills
4. manipulation and balance - fine and gross motor
5. storytelling and communication - language development and self esteem
6. art, inventiveness and imagination - creative application of knowledge

And all this whilst having maximum fun!

So if your child is having difficulty concentrating in school, or lacks confidence or is simply at a loss for something constructive to do after school, please contact Kara 4 Kids for further details:

Contact: Meenu, Head of Centre, Kara 4 Kids, HSR Layout
Mobile: +91 98441 32323
Email: hsr@kara.in

Swine Flu - Reality Check

2009-08-12T13:31:00.007+05:30

Health, Safety and Hygiene at Kara

To all those parents who have written in to share their concerns regarding the schools' strategy in connection with the current fears surrounding Swine Flu, I am pleased to confirm that in addition to Kara's Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), with regard to Health, Safety and Hygiene, the following have also been introduced in consultation with local Medical Advisers:

1. All hand towels have been replaced with disposable paper napkins.
2. Any child or member of staff displaying flu-like symptons is being asked to return home, immediately.
3. Hand sanitisers have been introduced for all members of the community.
4. All surfaces and mats are being disinfected daily.
5. Key areas including door handles and taps are being treated daily with hospital quality disinfectant sprays.

NOTE: some of the above may cause rashes to the children's skin. In such cases use of the product will be stopped.

Several parents have also asked Kara to distribute face masks to the staff and children. Whilst I understand the concerns behind this request, it is unfortunately not practical as:

a) young children will not wear a mask for any length of time
b) young children will be scared of adults who do wear, and more importantly
c) the efficacy of such masks only lasts for up to an hour. After this lapse in time masks provide virtually no protection (as reported by the BBC), therefore do not provide any form of cover.

As for the children having a greater chance of catching it at Kara, this is nonsense. Swine Flu makes no distinction between families or generations or socio-economic classes or cultural boundaries or indeed national borders. In fact Swine Flu is more likely to be caught and passed onto the children by those of us who:

- travel by air
- use a lift
- go to the mall to shop
- work in an AC office building
- visit the theatre
- go to the beauty parlour
- eat in a restaurant and/or canteen
- exercise in a gym
- get cash from an ATM
- and more . . .

So what CAN be done?

First: do not panic - nothing is served by this.

Second: implement all responsible measures to reduce exposure; wash hands when returning home, avoid people with a cold or flu-like symptoms and do everything possible to enhance our inherent immune system; eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, take an additional tonic if felt necessary, reduce stress levels, avoid alcohol and smoking . . .

The fact is that Swine Flu, in its current form or as a mutant, is here to stay. Closing a school or keeping your child at home for a day, or a week, or a month, is not going to change that. Time now to confront it head-on and not allow the mass hysteria as built up by the media override good old common sense!

Kara Karnival at CROSSWORD

2009-08-05T12:51:00.005+05:30

Klay-imation - Little Hands at Work . . . !

Dear Parents,

Come and join the Kara team at CROSSWORD and experience the joys of learning how to animate with clay!

A first-time event for Kara, children will learn how to make amazing models and toys based on the theme 'Kara's Food Fanatic', including vegetables, sandwiches, salads, animals, insects, tomatoes, cucumber and carrots. And explore how to weave these characters into an exciting story using both animation and role-play.

Date: 22nd August 2009, Saturday
Venue: CROSSWORD Bookstore, Residencey Road
Time: 11.00 am to 1.00 pm
Age Group: 3 years to 6 years
Registration: Rs. 100/- per child

For further details please contact Meenu on mobile: +91 98441 32323 or email: hsr@kara.in.

An opportunity not to be missed!

Kara KiNDERfit at Reliance TimeOut

2009-08-04T15:54:00.001+05:30

8th August 2009, Saturday

Fitness with fun!

Move with the rhythm, melt like an ice-cream, slither like a snake, roar like a lion, hop like a frog and more . . .

Join Kara's unique new KiNDERfit with dance initiative being launched on:

Date: 8th August 2009, Saturday
Venue: Reliance TimeOut, Cunningham Road
Time: 11.30 pm to 1.30 pm
Facilitator: Kara's own professional Attakalari trained Senior Choreographer
Age Groups: 2 - 4 years and 5 - 12 years
Registration: Rs.100/- per child

For further details please contact Arundathi on mobile: +91 98443 21212 or email: jayamahal@kara.in.

Phonics Workshop - Kara 4 Kids, JML

2009-08-04T12:37:00.002+05:30

Can you do more to help your child learn to read?

Dear Parents,

You are cordially invited to join the Kara team to participate in an interactive workshop on 'Phonics and the Joy of Reading' on:

Date: 8th August 2009, Saturday
Venue: Kara 4 Kids, Jayamahal Centre
Time: 10.30 am to 12.30 pm
Facilitator: Katherine
Refreshments: Tea, coffee and other snacks will be served
Contact: Arundathi
Mobile: +91 98443 21212
Email: jayamahal@kara.in

In addition to explaining how the phonics methodology works, parents will also be given sample reading lists to help them buy the right books for their young one.

This programme is open to EVERYONE, so do please feel free to bring along any friends that may be interested.

Warm regards.

Katherine

You are cordially invited to join Kara for . . .

2009-07-26T17:08:00.000+05:30

FREE programme for Parents and Toddlers . . . Saturday, 25th July 2009, 11.00 am to 1.00 pm - HSR Layout

The first 'parent-toddler' initiative for families with young children aged 8 to 24 months, based on the Framework for Effective Practice, UK.

You are invited: Please join the Kara 4 Kids team to celebrate the launch of KiNDERkuddles - an early learning interactive programme for parents with toddlers aged 8 to 24 months.

What will happen: Through the KiNDERkuddles initiative, Kara's expert team of early childhood practitioners will work with parents (a child's first teachers), to facilitate the transition from infant to toddler. This process will utilise a range of multi-sensorial experiences including creative theme-based activities, music, movement, puppetry, bubbles and lots more . . .

Why KiNDERkuddles is important to your child: Says Ms. Katherine Rustumji, CEO, Kara 4 Kids, “The genesis behind this KiNDERkuddles initiative is the belief that it's not the value of toys bought or the amount of time spent that furthers each child's development during early childhood, it is in fact the QUALITY of every interaction albeit social relationships, sensory stimulation and more . . . to ensure the stronger the start the greater the finish.”

The theory behind KiNDERkuddles: Founded on the theory of brain-based learning (the rapid growth of neuron's during the early years), combined with the Framework of Effective Practice, UK.

Using these methodologies, Kara's trained educators and facilitators will work together with parent and child to:

 Stimulate each child's all-round development
 Educate parents how best to invest in their child's academic future
 Help prepare each child for the transition from home into pre-school

The format: KiNDERkuddles’ sessions will be divided into bi-monthly modules with a focus on different fun themes and activities to ensure learning is fun for both parent and child!

Age Group: 8 to 24 months
Weekly: Monday, Wednesday and Friday
Duration: 2 hours
Timings: 10.00-12.00
Enrolment: Minimum one month
Modules:
Module 1 – August and September – Bubbles and Bangs
Module 2 – October and November – Hopping with Hats
Module 3 – December and January – Puppets and Pockets
Module 4 – February and March – Friendliest Frogs

For further details and to register for Kara's FREE in-house launch on Saturday 25th, July at Kara 4 Kids, HSR Layout please contact Meenu on mobile: +91 98441 32323 or email: hsr@kara.in.

THE ONLY WAY FOR EVIL TO FLOURISH IS FOR GOOD MEN TO SAY NOTHING . . .

2009-07-26T11:49:00.007+05:30

Edmund Burke

Dear Friends,

Recently several Parents have drawn our attention to certain websites where various statements are being made about Kara and are naturally concerned as to their effect on Kara’s reputation.

The problem with these sites is that anyone can say anything with impunity; several of the entries have been written by known competitors. Another one is from a former teacher who was asked to leave, as her work did not match up to Kara’s standards; incidentally both these authors have chosen not to use their true identity.

This type of anonymous attack from jealous competitors and aggrieved former employees sadly appears to be the price of success. Nonetheless we are rather proud that on Bangaloreschools.net, on the basis of actual users, Kara is currently given the HIGHEST rating . . . that is what is infuriating the competition and some of them are fighting back in this underhanded way. So the issue is, do we stoop to the same level and make anonymous criticisms of other schools?

The key issue for us is this, what is your experience? Is your child happy at Kara? Do you see progression? When you walk into the school unannounced, what is the atmosphere like? You no doubt know other parents of Kara children - what is their experience? Why not believe your own eyes and ears instead of getting concerned by anonymous comments from ‘pretend’ parents?

Ultimately we are hoping that these competitors / disgruntled ex-staff will see the futility of their ways and their comments will cease. Meanwhile we are hoping that real parents like you, as concerned about Kara’s reputation as we are, will help us in our fight and write back on these blogs, giving your feedback and your full contact details, so that the general reader can make a balanced view.

Whereas these jealous comments can be borne as the price of “success”, we are of course hugely angered and outraged by the acts of one ex-parent, who has been stating that there is a warrant out for my arrest etc. Here are the facts . . .

It is true that a lady by name Mrs. Swathi Bakshi had filed a consumer case against Kara alleging deficiency of service and asking for a refund of the amounts paid by her on the grounds that the child was with Kara for 9 days only, even though she had signed the Application Form with full knowledge that such amounts once paid are non-refundable as per the terms governing admission of children to schools run by Kara. Mrs Bakshi claimed that they had been transferred at short notice which we have reason to believe is not true.

This is a pretty standard policy with most schools and the reason for this policy is because good schools adhere to a strict child:staff ratio, in our case as laid down by the international bodies to which Kara belongs. Hitherto it has been the practice of many parents to put their child’s name down with several schools and then finally decide upon one at the last minute. This makes any advanced planning impossible as staff have to be recruited and trained much in advance, based upon the numbers expected who have paid the Fees.

Unfortunately the notice of the Court asking us to be represented in court on a particular day was not received by Kara, for reasons which we are still investigating. As a consequence the Hon'ble Consumer Forum passed an order ex-parte - that is without any representation from Kara - asking Kara to refund certain sums. As Kara was not even aware of the said consumer case, they were totally unaware of the judgement passed by the Hon'ble Consumer Forum. Subsequently, Mrs. Swathi filed an Execution Petition seeking execution of the order passed by the Hon'ble Consumer Forum.

In the said Execution Petition, the Hon'ble Consumer Forum issued a warrant to a Manager of Kara (nothing to do with me personally), as is the normal practice in such situations, stating that an Officer of Kara should be present in court on a particular date. It was only when we saw the warrant did we come to know of the consumer case filed by Mrs. Bakshi.

Our Advocate immediately approached the Hon'ble Consumer Forum and filed an application to recall the warrant issued by the said Forum on 25th May 2009. A copy of the said application was served upon Mrs. Bakshi before filing it before the Hon'ble Consumer Forum. The Hon'ble Consumer Forum, appreciating the situation was pleased to recall the warrant on 25th May 2009 itself, and I would like to state categorically that as of date there is no arrest warrant pending against me or any employee or director of Kara, notwithstanding anything stated by Mrs Bakshi to the contrary on various blogs which are clearly malign and completely untrue.

The current status is that we have filed an Appeal before the Hon'ble State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission and have obtained a Stay on the Execution Petition filed by Mrs. Bakshi. Mrs. Bakshi is totally aware of the said Stay Order granted by the Appellate Commission as an intimation regarding the Stay was filed by us before the Hon'ble Consumer Forum.

Notice the basic nature of the “dispute”, refund of Fees on the grounds that the child was with Kara for a very short period. Simple and straight forward. Yet Mrs Bakshi has chosen to use this dispute for character-assassination of both Kara and myself.

As regards alleged Deficiency of Service, rather ironic as Mr Bakshi’s mail to Kara of the 28th June 2007, after their child had been withdrawn, states the following:

”. . . our aim to send Simran to Kara was to ensure that she receives the best available pre-school education, even with our limited income. I also must share with you that we, as parents, were rather delighted to see Simran returning happy and cheerful from school every day and looking forward to the next day at school.“.

In other words the Bakshi’s were very pleased with their experience of Kara in the 9 days, but when we refused to return their money, Mrs Bakshi has chosen to convert it into an ugly “personal” fight.

Consumer Forums are generaly speaking very favourably disposed to “consumers” and it is conceivable that Mrs Bakshi may still obtain a Refund Order, which we shall Appeal, but that is nothing to do with the nature and quality of services provided by Kara; we constantly receive letters of appreciation from Parent’s whose children we have helped . . . in fact that is what keeps us going!

We have made every effort to be conciliatory and to keep the peace and have tried to remain dignified in the face of all these onslaughts. This has been taken as a sign of weakness by Mrs Bakshi who has gone ahead and made even more inflammatory and untrue statements. As a consequence we have initiated legal action against her and the Host website(s), both in the Civil and Criminal Courts for publishing / allowing statements to be published, which they knew were palpably untrue on the date they were put on the website, designed to malign us and lower Kara’s reputation. We are also asking for a Public Apology.

As per the law, malign Defamation is a criminal activity for which a person can get up to 2 years simple imprisonment with fine and / or both. Much as we wish to avoid such action, sadly Mrs Bakshi and the Host website(s) have left us with no alternative in the interests of Kara’s reputation which is very dear to us as well as all parents of Kara children.

So Parents’, please think about the above and join us in the Fight against untruth, by writing of your own experiences on these various sites, otherwise people will believe what they read to be true, simply because it is being repeated ad nauseum . . .

Warm regards.

Katherine

Katherine Rustumji
CEO
Kara Learning Private Limited

Mobile: +91 9880 414141
Email: katherine@kara.in
Web: www.kara.in

The happiest kids are at Kara!

Kara Kitaab Klub

2009-07-14T19:31:00.007+05:30

Reading has never been so much fun!

After-school reading club. Unique initiative designed to bring the joy of reading to life by focussing on specific highly regarded authors and exploring their works using drama, creative writing, art, craft, role-play, puppetry and more . . .

Date: Thursday, 30th July 2009
Venue: Kara 4 Kids, Jayamahal Extension, No. 6, 4th Main, 6th Cross Jayamahal Extension (opposite park)
Time: 5.00 pm to 6.00 pm
Age Group: 4 to 8 years
First Author: Eric Carle - renowned writer of children's books.
Title: The Very Busy Spider
Activities:
• Spider and web
• Paper tube cow
• Pink piggy
• Starlit night (magic painting)
• Book quiz
• And more . . . according to age
Concepts covered: Relationships

For further details or to register your child, please contact Arundathi on mobile: +91 98443 21212 or email: jayamahal@kara.in

An opportunity not to be missed!

KiNDERkuddles - give your child the Kara advantage

2009-07-14T19:10:00.008+05:30

Dear Parents,

Contrary to the messages we are bombarded with by the media, is not the value of the toys bought or the amount of time spent that furthers each child's development during the early childhood, it is in fact the QUALITY of every interaction albeit social relationships, sensory stimulation and more . . .

In order to help parents - a child's first teachers - develop the essential knowledge and skills required to support the transition from infant to toddler, Kara is pleased to launch its first 'parent-todder' initiative for families with young children aged 8 to 24 months.

Founded on the theory of brain-based learning and the rapid growth of neuron's during the early years, Kara's KiNDERkuddles initiative is based on The Framework of Effective Practice, UK, that looks at four key domains of development; the strong child, the skillful communicator, the competent learner and the healthy child.

Using these domains Kara's trained professionals will work together with parents to deliver a range of multi-sensorial activities and themes to:

• stimulate each child's all-round development
• educate parents how best to invest in their child's academic future
• help prepare each child for the transition from home into preschool

For further details and to register for Kara's FREE in-house launch on Saturday 25th, July, 11.00 am to 1.00 pm at Kara 4 Kids, HSR Layout, please contact Meenu on mobile: +91 98441 32323 or email hsr@kara.in.

So come to Kara with your little one and join in the fun, but don't be fooled by the overall merriment, participation in this programme will actively help prepare you and your child for the next big step . . . future academic success!

And remember, the stronger the start, the greater the finish.

Kara Karnival at CROSSWORD

2009-07-14T19:03:00.007+05:30

The Kara 4 Kids team is proud to launch the first of its kind “Mother and Toddler” initiative, based on Kara's new KiNDERkuddles programme, at CROSSWORD bookstore on Residency Road this Saturday, 18th July from 11.30 am to 1.00 pm.

The programme’s theme aptly termed “Rhythm and Blues” will feature an interactive session giving parents and their child an opportunity to together explore the world of music and colour as one integrated programme. The facilitators for the event are Anshul, Kara's in-house Senior Choreographer and Umesh, Kara's in-house Musical Director.

Activities will include:

• Blue finger painting
• Blue collage
• Blue play dough
• Blue painting and more . . .

Age Group: 8 months to 2.5 years
Registration: Rs. 100 per parent and child - including FREE at-home musical activity kit.

For further details please contact Meenu on mobile: +91 98441 32323 or email: hsr@kara.in

An opportunity not to be missed!

Open for Admissions . . .

2009-05-11T13:59:00.007+05:30

Hurry now to avoid disappointment . . .

Admissions are open at our Jayamahal and HSR centres in Bangalore, however only a few seats remain so please hurry to avoid disappointment.

For Jayamahal please contact Arundathi, Head of Centre, on 98443 21212
For HSR Layout please contact Meenu, Head of Centre on 98441 32323
For Gurgaon please contacct Maala, Head of Centre on +91 99100 96454

The happiest kids are at Kara!

KiNDERfit at our Jayamahal Centre!

2009-05-11T13:39:00.005+05:30

Kara 4 Kids in collaboration with Contours International is proud to launch a new custom-designed programme – KiNDERfit - to promote fitness and well-being in early childhood.

If you have ever had the joy of taking a long journey with a young child you will know it is their instinct to squirm and wriggle and talk and fidget and more . . . essentially to be on the move and active all the time! So why is the need to move – the need for physically active play - so instinctive in early childhood?

A recent research document produced by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, UK, in collaboration with the National Children’s Bureau, UK concludes that:

“The physical development of babies and young children must be encouraged through the provision of opportunities for them to be active and interactive to improve their skills of coordination, control, manipulation and movement”

Physically active play is therefore an essential component in the overall development of young children, to lay the foundation for a long and healthy life, by developing:

• high bone density
• strong heart muscle
• appropriate lung capacity
• overall muscle development
• coordinated gross motor skills
• better sleeping patterns
• good social skills
• healthy self-image
• positive self-esteem
• And more . . .

The USDA recommends that children of all ages get at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day. However exercise doesn't have to be boring and monotonous. At Kara, fitness is achieved by having lots of fun; running, jumping, climbing, kicking, throwing, sharing, empathising, dancing, moving, playing and more . . . to ensure each child is KiNDERfit for life! Custom-designed to meet the needs of young children, this is an opportunity NOT to miss!

For further details on Kara 4 Kids regarding registering for KiNDERfit, school admission, after-school classes, daycare and more . . . please contact: Trupti on Mobile: +91 98441 45454 Email: trupti@kara.in or visit our website www.kara.in.

Kara @ TimeOut from May 11 - May 15

2009-05-11T13:11:00.008+05:30

Holidays have never been so much fun!

• Story Narration
• Body painting
• Terracotta pot painting and decoration
• Fun with play dough

And more......

Kara is organizing a ‘fun while learning’ week-long camp for kids aged between 2 and 7 years where each day will comprise a different theme and a range of activities:

Venue: Reliance TimeOut, Cunningham Road
Time: 4:00pm – 5:30pm

Day 1 - 11th May – Monday
Story Telling: “You are a special one”
Storytelling, savannah booklet, magnetic sticker, pebble honey bee, body painting

Day 2 – 12th May – Tuesday
Kara krafts mela
Terracotta pot painting, newspaper photo frame, handmade paper memory minder, ice cream stick wall hanging

Day 3 – 13th May– Wednesday
Story Telling: “Goldilocks and the three bears”
Storytelling, make your own puppets, body painting

Day4 – 14th May – Thursday
Celebrations – Fun with play dough
Chinese bag puppet, lanterns, noise makers, fire work display.

Day5 – 15th May – Friday
A Day in the life of a Hopi child – a Native American story
Storytelling, mask, postcard, puzzle

Custom-designed to meet the needs of young children, this is an opportunity NOT to miss!

If you would like to know more about this event contact Trupti at +91 98441 45454, email: jayamahal@kara.in, website: www.kara.in

See you all there...

Kara 4 Teachers!

2009-03-31T22:32:00.011+05:30

Kara Preschool Teacher Certification

This summer Kara is launching its first ever Preschool Teacher Training initiative for both teachers and early childhood practitioners, including childcare professionals, play coordinators and parents.

This Kara certified program which starts on the 6th of April will include 30 hours of theory and 50 hours of practicals which will be conducted by kara4kids at our Jayamahal center.

The topics will include:
- Teaching for Understanding
- Observation and Assessment
- Creative Expression
- Classroom Management
- Design and, Child Development

If you would like to get in touch with us regarding this, please call us at +91 98441 45454.

Dance - Children - Dance

2009-03-27T17:47:00.004+05:30

There are short-cuts to happiness . . . and dancing is one of them!
Vicki Baum

Dear Parents and Friends,

Contemporary Dance: Anshul is back and is planning to run an immersion programme into the world of dance - Dance Kara Dance! – as an extension activity of the scheduled KiNDERkamp initiative.

Timings: 3.00-4.00 pm
Duration: 2 months - minimum one month is compulsory
Days: Mondays and Wednesdays
Venue: HSR Layout
Fee: Rs. 1,600/- per month

Classical Dance: After watching the magic of the girls’ performance at the recent Jungle Book evening, Kara is pleased to extend its Bharatnatyam classes also during the summer holidays.

Timings: 3.00-4.00 pm
Duration: 30th March-24th April
Days: Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
Venue: HSR Layout
Fee: Rs. 600 per week

If you would like to enrol your child please contact Meenu immediately on +91 98441 32323.

Seats are limited so call now to avoid disappointment.

Musical Theatre at Kara!

2009-03-27T16:56:00.005+05:30

The Jungle Book

As the performance date approached, it was time for everyone to “get with the beat” as Kara introduced its first Musical Theatre event to an anxious audience of mums, dads, siblings, grandparents and teachers!

Using the wonderful tale of Mowgli and his friends as told in Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book, this performance was designed to promote the joys of books and reading by bringing an amazing tale to life; making it experiential and 'real' . . . and also full of 'tails' in a variety of shapes and colours!

Throughout the nearly 4 months of lessons, Anshul and the team focussed on a range of learning objectives including:

• Creative expression through the language of dance
• Developing descriptive movement using drama
• Exploring the language of emotions using music
• Enhanced listening and observational skills
• Developing self confidence

And it is clear from the childrens' performance that these were achieved in abundance!

In Meenu's inimitable style, the audience was greeted with professional stage lighting, sound system, beautiful sets and more! And then there were the children! Friendly vultures, hissing snakes, roaring elephants, manic monkeys are more . . . all served up on a plate that included yummy snacks, tea and coffee. The evening could NOT have been better or more fun!

Hearty congratulations to everyone who participated and here's looking forward to the next programme!

5+ Graduation Ceremony - Class of 2008-2009

2009-03-27T14:38:00.006+05:30

Time for au revoir!

It is that time of the year again when we have to say "farewell" . . .

An essential component of what we do at Kara is to prepare children to move on – to be successful - and so with tears in our eyes and pride in our hearts, the community at HSR recently came together to celebrate Kara’s 2nd 5+ Graduation Ceremony.

And where are our little wonders moving on to? We are proud to share that Kara students have been accepted into Bangalore's top educational institutions including amongst others National Public School, Delhi Public School, Inventure Academy, Greenwood High . . . . .

The happiest kids are at Kara!

A Visitor at Kara HSR Layout

2009-03-27T14:31:00.007+05:30

Beautiful Barn Owl

The children at HSR Layout were thrilled one morning to arrive in school to find a new student . . .

A magical 'nature' moment!

Kara 4 Kids at Reliance TimeOut - Gurgaon

2009-03-24T11:14:00.006+05:30

Learning has never been so much fun!

• Science and discovery - life cycle of a butterfly
• Sequential thinking – what comes next and numeration
• New vocabulary – days of the week
• Creative application – art and crafts
• And more . . . .

Kara4Kids conducted its first Kara Karnival at Reliance TimeOut, Ambiance Mall, Gurgaon on Saturday 21st March, to the absolute delight of both kids and parents!

Using the ancient art of storytelling combined with age appropriate songs, rhymes and activities, Kara’s professional team of educators lead the children through the delightful tale “The Very Hungry Caterpillar”, by renowned author Eric Carle. Through this drama children learnt about the life cycle of a butterfly, days of the week, numeration, healthy foods and more . . .

Following the story, the children were then presented with an opportunity to express their own understanding of the skills and concepts taught by working on a range of 10 experiential activities including making their own mini-books, origami butterflies, 3-D caterpillars and lots more . . .

In keeping with Kara’s custom-designed methodology, learning.by.design ™, this was an opportunity not to missed and the general feedback from all those who participated was “more please . . .!”.

For details and dates on all future events, please contact us:

Contact: Maala
Mobile: +91 99100 45969
Email: gurgaon@kara.in

The happiest kids are at Kara!

Beach Party at Kara RMV . . .

2009-03-17T14:50:00.002+05:30

Dear All,

To all those unable to join us, we really missed you! Everyone at Kara, RMV had an absolute blast as we celebrated the end of year and Holi in one fabulous Beach Party!

Splash pools were borrowed from friends so it was very comfortable for the children to play. The children helped us inflate the pools with the blower end of our vacuum cleaner - much fun was had here - and then filled them with water.

The party started at 10.30 am and as requested everyone had brought their bathing suits, sun screen and towels. The children were changed and then there was no looking back! Even our little babies didn't want to come out of the water and we had squeals of protest.

Those mums free to join the fun dropped by at around 11.00 am. The Kara team organised a lemonade stall, popcorn in paper cones and watermelon bowls for everyone. Much to our delight the mums also contributed some yummy snacks including wheat-cakes, cookies, juice and churmura muthia with chutney. All diets were temporarily abandoned!

Once the children had finished in the water they were toweled dry and changed by which point it was time for lunch and then to the nap room for a well earned siesta.

As a small gesture, when the parents and kids were going home we put a tikka of Holi rang to celebrate the arrival of spring.

Watching our water babies play was an absolute Kodak moment, and I think the pictures say it all. Childhood memories are made of these ....!!!!!!!!

Warm regards.

Arundathi
Head of Centre
Kara 4 Kids - RMV/Sanjaynagar

Mobile: +91 98443 21212
Email: rmv@kara.in

The happiest kids are at Kara!

Holi - Celebrating the Arrival of Spring

2009-03-16T11:26:00.007+05:30

The pictures say it all!

Kara 4 Kids, Gurgaon - Admissions Open
For further details please call us:
Contact: Maala
Mobile: +91 99100 45969
Email: gurgaon@kara.in

The happiest kids are at Kara!

2009-03-14T12:34:00.006+05:30

Books have never been so much fun!

Kara4Kids is proud to invite everyone below the age of 7 years to its first Kara Karnival at Reliance Time Out, Bangalore and Gurgaon, on Saturday the 21st of March 2009.

As part of this event, Kara will be conducting a range of fun-filled activities including games, song, dance and story telling, all based on Eric Carle’s famous book "The Very Hungry Caterpillar”.

Using the ancient Indian art of storytelling, Kara's team of experienced educators will integrate math, language, science and art concepts into one enjoyable story. This is Kara’s unique methodology; learning.by.design™.

• Science and discovery - life cycle of a butterfly
• Sequential thinking – what comes next
• New vocabulary – days of the week
• Creative application – art and crafts
• And more . . . .

Date: Saturday, 21st March 2009
Age Group: 2-7 years
Venue:
Bangalore - Reliance Time Out, Cunningham Road
Gurgaon - Reliance Time Out, Ambience Mall
Timings:
Bangalore - 11.30 am to 1.30 pm
Gurgaon - 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm
Contacts:
Bangalore - Sushmita m: +91 98443 36363 e: info@kara.in
Gurgaon - Maala m: +91 99100 45969 e: gurgaon@kara.in

NOTE: All materials will be provided by Kara at the venue
Charge: Rs. 100 per child

Custom designed to meet the learning styles of young children this is an opportunity not to miss!

What our parents say . . .

2009-03-09T16:40:00.009+05:30

Mehala Kumar, Mother of Mihika, 4+ - LKG
As a Kara parent for nearly 3 years, I continue to marvel at the dedication and commitment of the entire Kara team at HSR. They are wonderful with the kids, caring for them just as a family would. And after that, they have the energy and enthusiasm to put up some fabulous shows. Each one that I have seen, and there have been many, has been done with utmost planning, in a truly professional way. I never expected that from a pre-school - didn't even know that my daughter was capable of performing so confidently in front of an audience!

I am very happy that Kara has helped in the multi-faceted development of my daughter. And oh, Mihika says she only likes Kara roti, not home roti! :)

Rashmi and Naren Nuggenhalli
Parents of Aditi Iyengar, 5+ - UKG
"I want to go to school" - These six magic words spoken by Aditi with a happy skip are probably the reason why we are so pleased with Kara. The magicians (read as teachers), at Kara have managed to combine the "conventional" academic requirements with all the extra curricular "fun stuff" to make this a school which has very few peers.

Aditi enjoys her time at school immensely while being on par, if not ahead, of her peer group in other schools academically. Long may the magic continue. We only wish Kara didn't stop at kindergarten levels!

Priya Baba
Mother of Aryan and Mansi, 3+ - Reception
My twins, Aryan and Mansi, have been at Kara since June 2008. As a parent who is particular about my children's overall development and well-being, Kara has been the right choice.

The things that have impressed me about Kara are:

- the friendly and supporting teachers and staff
- the almost obsessive focus on safety
- the stress on academic and overall development of a child and
- the tasty nutritious food the children are served

Finally, my children to go school with a smile and come back cheerful, with laughing faces :)

Niveditha Bhasin
Mother of Saachi, 3+ - Reception
My husband Samar and I love Kara because of the blended learning methods they practice in teaching. They mix theory and practical learning often making the child use all 5 senses to learn.

The highly trained staff ensures the burden on parents to teach their child at home is practically nil.

The school is very interactive with parents and encourages us to stay in the class and observe our child as and when we want to. I also like the fact that children periodically bring back work from school.

My 4 year old daughter Saachi today has become more confident - be it talking in front of 50 other kids or taking part in large group activities. And a special mention needs to be given to the efforts of the school in encouraging recycling and gardening!

Kara Kitaab Klub - RMV II - Bangalore

2009-02-17T13:19:00.002+05:30

Reading has never been so much fun!

By popular demand Kara4Kids is hosting its second Kara Kitaab Klub for this month at its RMV centre. So if you have a young child below 5 years of age please join the Kara Kommunity for a fun-filled morning:

Date: 25th February 2009
Time: 10.30 am
Venue: Kara4Kids, 374 12th Cross, 5th Main, HIG Dollar’s Colony, RMV II Stage, Bangalore 560 094
Narrator: Dr Rupali Gadkari – Kara parent
Story: Lexi Lion
Author: Maurice Pledger
Language: English
Genre: Natural History. Adventure – peek and find!
Snacks: Will be served at 10.30. Hospitality sponsor is Mrs Nalini Mulky, Mother, Mrs Arundathi Shiggaon, Head of Centre, RMV II. Thank you Mrs Mulky!

Are you all sitting comfortably? Then I shall begin . . . . .

Lexi Lion is a moving story of a lion cub who is looking for a playmate. As he searches high and low, he comes across many different kinds of animals, each with their own strengths and limitations. But does Lexi find his perfect playmate and if so, who is the lucky friend? Let’s find out!

For further details on this and future events at the school, please contact Arundathi on mobile: +91 98443 21212 or email: rmv@kara.in.

A book is the only gift that you can open again and again
Garrisin Keilor

Kara Karnival at Crossword - Bangalore

2009-02-17T13:00:00.001+05:30

Learning has never been so much fun!

• New vocabulary
• Hindi and English songs
• Audience participation
• Interactive learning activities
• And more . . . .

For those children coming from non-Hindi speaking homes, the learning of Hindi can be a struggle -for parents and child alike - especially as in most schools it is taught as a first language rather than an ‘other’ language.

In an effort to put the fun back into the learning a new language, Kara uses the ancient art of storytelling combined with age appropriate songs and rhymes to bring life to grammar and vocabulary.

So come and join the Kara team and watch children from the audience meet Dingle Dangle Scarecrow who tells his story (song in English), followed by Motha Haathi, (Hindi song), and finally Hen, Cow, Duck, Pig, and Sheep (song in English).

Venue: CROSSWORD Bookstore, Residency Road
Time: 11.00 am to 1.00 pm
Date: Saturday, 21st February 2009
Contact: Arundathi
Mobile: +91 98443 21212

KiNDERkamps at Kara - Bangalore - Summer 2009

2009-02-13T13:31:00.008+05:30

Dear Parents,

Re: Holidays have never been so much fun!

Are you looking for a stimulating learning opportunity this summer for your young child?

Kooking at Kara
Kamping Kit
Kara Kanteen
Krazy Keyboard Klasses for Kids
Kara Kommunity Week
Kids N Klay
Katputli Khela
Kreative Krafts
Book-Nook
Sum-drum-fun and lots more . . .

Specialist inclusion classes and workshops for children aged 1-8 years conducted by Kara‘s specialist team of educators; fun and learning during the holidays. Enroll now for the summer!

Regards.

Katherine

Parental Feedback - letter from a father . . .

2009-02-11T13:20:00.004+05:30

Dear Aruna Aunty*,

The first thing that struck me when I walked into Kara with my fourteen month old kid was the genuine warmth in the smiles that I got from all the staff. There was no need for me to explain how difficult it was to leave behind such a small baby in the hands of strangers – the trust and understanding from their staff was immediate.

As the months passed by, I realised that the effort taken by the "didis" to make him feel at home and continuously engage him in a range of creative activities is something that we could have never done at home. It was a whole new colorful and happy world that was opened up to him. I must make special mention of the theme based activities which encouraged even such a small baby to learn and express himself.

There is a great deal of thought and effort made to ensure that the transition between home and "home away from home" is smooth and seamless. Inviting parents and grandparents to spend time at Kara along with children allows them to be a part of the child's special world. The little touches like speaking the child's mother tongue, cooking food that they like, the Kara diary, the Friday morning walk in the park etc., speak volumes of the commitment and genuine interest taken by everybody at Kara.

One important aspect of the Kara culture is allowing the child to be independent and discover their own potential. Children are not boxed into rigid syllabus based learning and are allowed to explore their own interests .Each theme is woven around each child's individual style and ability. There is so much personal interaction between the didis, coordinators and children that learning is more fun and play rather than an activity that is thrust upon them.

Kara kids are truly happy kids.

Thanks
Ram

* Head of Centre, Kara4Kids, RMV II Stage

Mini-Tennis at Kara 4 Kids . . .

2009-02-10T17:14:00.006+05:30

Dear Parents,

Kara4Kids is pleased to announce the launch at its Gurgaon Centre, of a new initiative as part of its KiNDERklasses programme; Mini-Tennis for kids!

Custom designed by the Nike-Bhupathi Tennis Academy and conducted by professional trainers, the objective of this programme is to help young children develop a key range of skills including:

- stamina and overall fitness
- discipline
- balance
- eye-hand coordination
- visual-spatial awareness
- sportsmanship
- and more . . .

This initiative will be held as per the following:

Venue: Kara4Kids, DLF Phase I, Gurgaon
Timings: 4.30 pm to 5.30 pm
Days: Tuesday and Thursday
Age Group: 3-9 years
Group Size: Min 5 and Max 10 students ONLY

For further details please contact Neha on mobile: +91 99100 45969 or email: gurgaon@kara.in.

So here's hoping we can find another Mahesh or Sania amongst Gurgaon's youngsters!

Warm regards.

Katherine

Kara Sports' Fest - 24th January 2009

2009-01-21T15:19:00.007+05:30

Dear Parents and Friends,

Based on the number of smiles, photographs taken and samosas eaten, I think it would be fair to say that a super day was had by all :)

I would like to personally thank the whole Kara Team for putting together such a splendid programme as part of the schools' Health and Fitness Week. Congratulations and hugs all round!

I also extend a special acknowledgement to our Chief Guest, Mr Krishna Bhupathi, Founder, Bhupathi-Nike Tennis Village, who formally inaugurated the event, together with Mr Hem Javeri, Co-founder and Director, Kara Learning Private Limited.

Based on the success of this day, Kara's Sports Fest will now become a permanent feature on the Kara Kalendar and we look forward to sharing with you again next year . . .

Katherine

Kara 4 Kids - Gurgaon - Officially Open from 9th January 2009

2009-01-05T22:53:00.006+05:30

Bollywood actress Chitrangada Singh and Ace golfer Jyoti Randhawa will be Guests of Honour on Friday, 9th January 2009, together with their 1 year old son Zorawar, to officially open Kara's new centre in Gurgaon.

At the launch Katherine will also be conducting a workshop for parents on ‘Are you stressing out your child?’ together with a multi-media presentation, to allow all participants to experience the Kara difference!

Stress Free Admissions at Kara 4 Kids

2008-12-15T16:58:00.007+05:30

Take the stress out of the admission process, come to Kara4Kids and experience the difference:

a warm welcome to both parent and child
personal evaluation by Kara's trained Head of Centres
transparent process and tariffs
rolling admission subject to availability
open door policy
first-cum-first-served basis

For further details please contact your nearest centre in Bangalore or Gurgaon, or visit us at www.kara.in.

Kara 4 Kids at Hobby Ideas, Bangalore

2008-12-14T20:50:00.006+05:30

Kara 4 Kids is currently running a range of KiNDERklasses during the winter holidays at Hobby Ideas, Indiranagar, for both children and adults.

For further details please contact the Kara team:

Mobile: +91 98442 21212
Email: hobbyideas@kara.in
Venue: Hobby Ideas, 100 Feet Road, Indiranagar
Timings: 10.30 to 12.30 and 4.00 to 6.00
Rate: Rs. 695 per week
Activities: Paper Craft, all kinds of Christmas decorations, gift wrapping, candle making, fun with paints and more . . .

So if you're having trouble finding creative things to do for you and the family during the holiday break, come and join the Kara team at Hobby Ideas!

New Kara 4 Kids Facility in Gurgaon!

2008-12-14T19:59:00.011+05:30

I am proud to welcome into the Kara Kommunity, new family members at Kara's soon-to-open centre in DLF Phase I, Gurgaon.

I would like to extend my personal thanks to all members of the 'Gurgaon-dream-team', with a special acknowledgment to Neha, Shobhna, Dimple, Dipika and Manisha who are all doing an amazing job!

Watch this space for further news at Gurgaon . . .

Kara KiNDERkamp - Winter 2008

2008-12-14T19:47:00.007+05:30

All children are invited to join the Kara team at Kara 4 Kids, Gurgaon, for a week of fun-filled activities including:

Day 1 - Puppets A-plenty
Day 2 - Outstanding Origami
Day 3 - Creative Clay
Day 4 - Kara Kristmas
Day 5 - Recycle and Reuse . . .

Venue: Kara 4 Kids
Address: DLF Phase 1, Gurgaon
Age Group: 3 - 8 years
Contact: Dimple
Mobile: +91 99100 45969
Email: gurgaon@kara.in
Web: www.kara.in

We look forward to welcoming you all!

Kara Konnect Klub - 22nd August 2008 - HSR

2008-08-05T13:36:00.009+05:30

Dear All,

Since the birth of my children nearly 20 years ago, I have observed a steady increase in the prescription of antibiotics, especially to young children. This begs the question:

Are young children falling seriously sick more often these days and if so why?
Are the medicines today greater in efficacy?
Are doctors spending more time per patient getting enhanced diagnoses?
Are parents putting pressure on medical professionals for quick-fix solutions?
Is something undermining the natural immune system of today’s kids?
Or are the bugs/illnesses today getting stronger; mutating to become drug resistant?

To explore these issues and help us draw our own conclusions regarding the best way forward regarding our children’s healthcare, please join the Kara Konnect Klub for a presentation by one of Bangalore’s eminent Doctors.

Guest Speaker: Dr. Sita M. Bhatt, MHMS (Bombay), Diploma in Acupressure (PJK), Bachelor Homeo Med and Surgery
Date: Friday, 22nd August 2008
Time: 4.30 am to 6.00 pm
Venue: Kara 4 Kids, 65 IAS Officer’s Colony, 15th Cross, 4th Sector, HSR Layout, Bangalore 560 034
Refreshments: Tea, Coffee and snacks will be served
Contact: Meenu
Mobile: +91 98441 32323
Email: info@kara.in

For further details regarding the detrimental effect antibiotics can have on our immune systems, please read the below article.

We look forward to welcoming you all at Kara4Kids on Saturday.

PS: The Kara Konnect Klub is a Kara Kommunity initiative and is FREE. As such this invitation is open to all. Do please share this with your friends!

Over-prescription of Antibiotics
by Donna Haupt

Several weeks ago, when my seven-year-old son came down with a nasty cold and cough, I thought for sure the paediatrician would prescribe antibiotics. But instead, she sent us home empty-handed. "Chances are it's just a bad virus that needs to run its course," the doctor explained. "If I give him an antibiotic for no reason, this same antibiotic might not work in the future when he really needs it."

Drug-resistant bacteria
Like many paediatricians, my doctor is alarmed by the steady rise in infections that don't respond to antibiotic treatment. To help slow the problem, she and other physicians want to limit the inappropriate use of these medications. Antibiotics remain the treatment of choice against bacterial infections like staph and strep; but they're simply useless against the vast range of viruses that cause most of the colds, coughs, vomiting, diarrhoea, and a majority of sore throats in children.

In fact, if an antibiotic is prescribed for a virus, explains Dr. Stegelman, medical director of urgent care services at Egleston Children's Hospital in Atlanta, the drug won't alleviate any of your child's symptoms and may even cause significant side effects like diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, or a rash.

"Wrongly prescribed, antibiotics can kill off weaker bacteria that naturally live in the body," says Dr. Stegelman, "allowing the stronger ones to survive and later transfer their resistant genes to other, more dangerous bacteria. This could make future treatment of bacterial infections more difficult, even potentially fatal."

Not every symptom needs treatment
Along with limiting antibiotics, doctors also are trying to clear up some of the misconceptions about childhood illnesses. "In most cases, green or yellow running nose is just a normal part of having a viral cold and should not be treated with antibiotics," says Richard Schwartz, MD, clinical professor of paediatrics at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. "Granted, it won't be easy for parents to deal with these longer-lasting illnesses, especially when they factor in the time and cost of repeated doctor's visits," notes Stan Block, MD, assistant clinical professor of paediatrics at the University of Louisville. "But unless your child is under six months, has a high fever or trouble breathing, we usually advise parents to wait and let the illness declare itself."

Experts also advise a go-slow approach to ear infections. Recent data shows that 80 percent of acute ear infections (without fluid build-up) clear up by themselves in two or three days without any treatment. "Unless I see an eardrum that's bulging, bright red, and clearly infected, I won't prescribe," says S. Michael Marcy, MD, staff paediatrician at Kaiser Foundation Hospital in Panorama City, California. "Often, it's best to let the body's own defences fight off the virus."

What parents can do

No matter how rotten your child feels, don't expect or insist on an antibiotic if the doctor says the cause of the child's illness is viral. Instead, you can help protect your child and fight drug resistance by taking these basic steps:
If your child seems ill, try acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) in appropriately recommended doses, and be observant for a day or two. However, if your child spikes a high fever, has drainage from the ear, or is not acting right in your eyes, you should consult his doctor.
Don't borrow or use stockpiled medication -- taking leftover antibiotics can invalidate tests or disguise true symptoms of an illness, and that could leave your child with more serious complications as a result.
If your doctor does prescribe an antibiotic, be sure to give each dose on time. Skipping a dose or getting off schedule could make an infection worse or lead to a relapse.
Finish the seven to ten day course of medication exactly as instructed. The only time you should discontinue antibiotic therapy is when your child shows signs of an allergic reaction -- a rash, nausea, vomiting, breathing difficulties, or increased illness. If so, call your doctor immediately.
If recommended, schedule a follow-up examination once your child has finished his medication to ensure he's fully recovered.

Kara Konnect Klub - 9th August 2008 - RMV

2008-08-04T17:05:00.009+05:30

Dear All,

As we rush around attempting to keep up with the demands of running a family, working and more . . . we often neglect our responsibility to protect the environment for our children – the next generation - on the basis of “no time” or “too tired” or “don’t know where to start”.

Being a primary offender in this regard, imagine the joy to discover an organisation in Bangalore that has developed an amazingly simple system that can help each of us turn everyday household waste into high quality compost; to help us become a green community.

If you are interested in making our environment a healthier place to live, please join the Kara Konnect Klub to explore how we can all work together to make a difference:

Guest Speaker: Poonam Bir Kasturi (see below for further details)
Date: Saturday, 9th August 2008
Time: 10.30 am to 12.30 pm
Venue: Kara 4 Kids, 374, 12th Cross, 5th Main, HIG Dollar’s Colony, RMV II Stage, Bangalore 560 096
Refreshments: Tea, Coffee and snacks will be served
Contact: Arundathi
Mobile: +91 98443 21212
Email: info@kara.in

For further details regarding Poonam and her work/list of products please visit www.dailydump.org.

We look forward to welcoming you all at Kara4Kids on Saturday.

PS: The Kara Konnect Klub is a Kara Kommunity initiative and is FREE. As such this invitation is open to all. Do please share this with your friends!

A warm welcome to Kara's new Blog

2008-07-27T23:24:00.007+05:30

Dear parents, friends, and fellow professionals,

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to Kara's new blog; a space to share ideas and foster a spirit of community for all those committed to the importance of the early years.

I look forward to your active participation!

Regards.

Katherine