22nd March is annually marked as United Nations World Water Day. The 2015 theme is tagged “Water for Sustainable Development”. We used the opportunity to examine water as the best drink for the sustainable development of children, to add to our Child Development Series. We did some research to find out tips to help parents of…
Category: Child Development
Guide to Helping Your Kids Develop Healthy Eating Habits
Helping children form good eating habits is sometimes a daunting task for parents, especially mothers who do not have good eating habits themselves. But the need to eat right can never be over-emphasized. This post, drawn from our interview with Olamiposi Ekuma, a Dietetics Consultant with GEM Clinics, Abuja Nigeria, is to help parents overcome the challenges of…
A Mistake Or A Learning Opportunity?
(Written by Ladun Ogunbanjo) I think it would be adequate to say that we, as curious individuals, have all gone through that stage in our lives where we question or regret the choices we have made. Often, we label it as ‘a mistake’, but maybe it is more than that. Of course everyone has gone…
When They’re Ready
In my few years of working with street children, I’ve observed a certain phenomenon that I’d also observed in the many years I sought for a lasting relationship with a man. It will happen when they are ready, and not by your pushing. It’s a weird comparison, but thinking about the boys who we have…
Effective Corrective Measures for Children
Kids can be cute and fun to be with, especially at the early stages, however when they start exploring, discovering things, and forming characters that distinguish their personalities, they can sometimes attempt to go beyond boundaries and try to defy our authority. All these can be frustrating to parents or carers, and we try out different ways of correcting them when…
Enforcing Good Habits; More Than What You Say
I will read more like Uncle Zizi; I will pray more like Uncle Zizi; I will study my bible more like Uncle Zizi TRY To keep quiet for Uncle Zizi to study Reproduced above is a “To Do List” made by a little girl from seeing her Uncle write his plans for the day over and over…
Sex Talk With Kids
The issue of child sexual abuse is evident all over the world and daily becoming an increasing societal problem. Our work, as contributors to social change, demands that we seek solutions to this problem. In doing this, we sought the help of a renowned Child’s Rights Consultant with the UNICEF, Mr Taiwo Akinlami, who enlightened us…
Overcoming Teenage Peer Pressure
According to a recent survey of 337 teenagers in the USA, 90% faced peer pressure and at least 80% fell for it weekly, even when it meant doing what they clearly knew was wrong. Peer pressure is a common experience in child development, especially in the teenage years. Many character traits formed by young people…
Sponsor A Child
Naomi is a 9 year old girl from Delta State. She lives in Ajegunle, Lagos, with her mother. She is from a broken home and her father has more than one wife. They live in a rented one-room shack and share a toilet with their neighbours… Read more and Click to Sponsor A Child.
Juvenile Welfare Centre – A Haven For The Lost
“Anyone’s child could end up there…” This was the high point of the thought-provoking speech by Agatha Amata of the popular Nigerian TV talk show, Inside-Out, at the Juvenile Welfare Centre (JWC) Open Day on Saturday, the 15th of November, 2014. Located beside Alakara Police Station, Mushin, Lagos, the Juvenile Welfare Centre is a transit…
BOOSTING CONFIDENCE IN CHILDREN
A child’s performance socially, academically and in other areas, depends on his confidence. It is important to understand how parents, guardians and carers of children can help boost their confidence. As we work to grow ‘Tomorrow’s Leaders’, this too is an area for concern and enlightenment. “For me, confidence building starts from the first second…
NOTE TO YOUNGER SELF
Adolescence through the teenage years appears to be the most challenging period for all children, knowing that most life-changing choices are made during this stage. Their career and vocational choices, channelling their youthful energy in the right direction, puberty, the need to be accepted and the peer pressure make those years the hardest. Working with…
