When I became a mother in 2016, one of my goals was to ensure my child was read to enough. It wasn't a thing for my parents when I was growing up in the ’90s in India. School textbooks were considered adequate. Occasional poetry and stories found their way in, if curriculum permitted. My parents, growing up in the villages of North India post-Independence, didn’t have access to those either. Although stories and poetry in native languages and dialects were passed on plenty, it was mostly an oral tradition.
Today, in many urban worlds, reading to children right from the time of pregnancy up until they can perhaps read on their own, is quite a thing. Words, stories, fairy tales, religious text, moralistic conclusive messages (at times potent, at other times ridiculous) make their way to tender minds rather early in life. I often wonder how many of these words do they actually need for wholesome development, but then I quietly go on and read to my child.
Research suggests that reading aloud to young children, particularly in an engaging manner, promotes emergent literacy and language development and supports the relationship between a young child and parent. Bonding perhaps, was the primary reason for introducing book reading as an activity between parent and child.
While language development and lesson imparting is an essential aspect of early child development, as a mother of a child with an over-developed vocabulary and a mind too full of words and lessons, I wonder if it is not better to take it slowly.
I understand, of course, the need to keep alive the culture of book reading in such digitally addictive times. But is there a better way of doing this, one that involves more of the heart than the head – just sitting with our children and narrating a lullaby or folklore in one’s own language?
Shivali Muthanna, a parent and founding member of a Bengaluru-based Waldorf Homeschool initiative, believes in "no-noise" or passing on "less noise" to children. She draws inspiration from Rudolf Steiner’s philosophy of holistic education that stresses the importance of nurturing the imagination and the emotional development of children.
“If you are going to tell them about dinosaurs at 3, it makes no sense at all. For a child of age 3 or 4, simple imagery like cat went up the tree and cat came down the tree is a story. And you have to stop at that. Repetition is key. And when you are reading the same material for weeks, your need for more books reduces.”
While looking for a certain quality of stillness and silence from words, I came across a small but growing online community of mothers who sew “quiet books”, all by hand, as sensory toys and an educational activity that enhances fine motor skills.
Filled with felt-made pictures, the cloth books offer the gift of touch, silence, bright imagery and imagination to their audience, without words. Entrepreneurs across the globe – mostly mothers in India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Canada, the US and Australia are doing this – creating "quiet books" for 6-month-olds up to 6-year-olds, and allowing children to engage at a deeper level.
Rosy Arora, a mother and entrepreneur from Gurgaon, India was one among the few hands who brought the trend home in 2015. Her small-scale business, House of Toys, was conceived to supply mindful toys to her own child and to others too.
During an interaction, Nitin, Rosy’s husband confesses that the toy buying culture in India can be rather impulsive. The collective idea for devising these felt books was to offer quiet time to the child without constant parent intervention, to evoke imagination and story-telling on the basis of visuals. Eventually, it encourages focus, persistence and develops a longer attention span.
Rosy is candid about how she began the journey. “When my son was little, we were sure of not getting plastic toys at home. I learnt about quiet books from Etsy and decided to sew little toys and activity books at home. I borrowed a sewing machine from my father who ran a cloth business. And at night, when our son slept, I stitched toys and quiet books for him.”
They share that it was heartening to watch their son grow up in a way that helped his imagination; at times, he even came up with his own stories merely by looking at the visuals in the book.
Tragically, a few years ago, Rosy and Nitin lost their son. Despite their sorrow, and now as parents to a little baby girl, they continue to make toys by hand for children across the country.
Thilini Hapugoda from Sri Lanka, mother to two girls, began sewing quiet books four years ago to encourage mindful activities for her first born. She has created over 200 of these for parents across Sri Lanka. She feels quiet books are necessary to refine children's senses and for them to get quiet time on their own.
As a reader, writer and mother, many stories and books have come my way. Even though some have remained, most have disappeared in the fog of my memory. For my son, a few weeks ago, I came up with an oral story of tribes that live deep in a forest, devoid of printed words, yet filled with stories in the form of folklore. Since the story is basically gibberish, I tell it and sing it to him differently each time.
At times like these, words then become nothing but soothing sounds, and we are free to attach to the story the meaning we want. Perhaps, these are the sort of small, precious, moments that could expand my child's imagination so that one day, on his own, he becomes a reader.
The design
The protective shell is covered in solar panels to make use of light and produce energy. This will drastically reduce energy loss.
More than 80 per cent of the energy consumed by the French pavilion will be produced by the sun.
The architecture will control light sources to provide a highly insulated and airtight building.
The forecourt is protected from the sun and the plants will refresh the inner spaces.
A micro water treatment plant will recycle used water to supply the irrigation for the plants and to flush the toilets. This will reduce the pavilion’s need for fresh water by 30 per cent.
Energy-saving equipment will be used for all lighting and projections.
Beyond its use for the expo, the pavilion will be easy to dismantle and reuse the material.
Some elements of the metal frame can be prefabricated in a factory.
From architects to sound technicians and construction companies, a group of experts from 10 companies have created the pavilion.
Work will begin in May; the first stone will be laid in Dubai in the second quarter of 2019.
Construction of the pavilion will take 17 months from May 2019 to September 2020.
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Thursday (All UAE kick-off times)
Sevilla v Real Betis (midnight)
Friday
Granada v Real Betis (9.30pm)
Valencia v Levante (midnight)
Saturday
Espanyol v Alaves (4pm)
Celta Vigo v Villarreal (7pm)
Leganes v Real Valladolid (9.30pm)
Mallorca v Barcelona (midnight)
Sunday
Atletic Bilbao v Atletico Madrid (4pm)
Real Madrid v Eibar (9.30pm)
Real Sociedad v Osasuna (midnight)
War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl
Power: 153hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 200Nm at 4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Price: Dh99,000
On sale: now
Jeff Buckley: From Hallelujah To The Last Goodbye
By Dave Lory with Jim Irvin
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
The stats
Ship name: MSC Bellissima
Ship class: Meraviglia Class
Delivery date: February 27, 2019
Gross tonnage: 171,598 GT
Passenger capacity: 5,686
Crew members: 1,536
Number of cabins: 2,217
Length: 315.3 metres
Maximum speed: 22.7 knots (42kph)
Afghanistan squad
Gulbadin Naib (captain), Mohammad Shahzad (wicketkeeper), Noor Ali Zadran, Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah, Asghar Afghan, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Najibullah Zadran, Samiullah Shinwari, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Dawlat Zadran, Aftab Alam, Hamid Hassan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Essentials
The flights
Emirates flies direct from Dubai to Seattle from Dh6,755 return in economy and Dh24,775 in business class.
The cruise
UnCruise Adventures offers a variety of small-ship cruises in Alaska and around the world. A 14-day Alaska’s Inside Passage and San Juans Cruise from Seattle to Juneau or reverse costs from $4,695 (Dh17,246), including accommodation, food and most activities. Trips in 2019 start in April and run until September.
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
AWARDS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBest%20Male%20black%20belt%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ELucas%20Protasio%20(BRA)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBest%20female%20black%20belt%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJulia%20Alves%20(BRA)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBest%20Masters%20black%20belt%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Igor%20Silva%20(BRA)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBest%20Asian%20Jiu-Jitsu%20Federation%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Kazakhstan%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBest%20Academy%20in%20UAE%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ECommando%20Group%2C%20Abu%20Dhabi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBest%20International%20Academy%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Commando%20Group%2C%20Abu%20Dhabi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EAfrican%20Player%20of%20the%20Year%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKatiuscia%20Yasmira%20Dias%20(GNB)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOceanian%20Player%20of%20the%20Year%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAnton%20Minenko%20(AUS)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EEuropean%20Player%20of%20the%20Year%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Rose%20El%20Sharouni%20(NED)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENorth%20and%20Central%20American%20Player%20of%20the%20Year%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAlexa%20Yanes%20(USA)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EAsian%20Player%20of%20the%20Year%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EZayed%20Al%20Katheeri%20(UAE)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERookie%20of%20the%20Year%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Rui%20Neto%20(BRA)Rui%20Neto%20(BRA)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
The biog
Favourite colour: Brown
Favourite Movie: Resident Evil
Hobbies: Painting, Cooking, Imitating Voices
Favourite food: Pizza
Trivia: Was the voice of three characters in the Emirati animation, Shaabiyat Al Cartoon
Gulf Men's League final
Dubai Hurricanes 24-12 Abu Dhabi Harlequins
End of free parking
- paid-for parking will be rolled across Abu Dhabi island on August 18
- drivers will have three working weeks leeway before fines are issued
- areas that are currently free to park - around Sheikh Zayed Bridge, Maqta Bridge, Mussaffah Bridge and the Corniche - will now require a ticket
- villa residents will need a permit to park outside their home. One vehicle is Dh800 and a second is Dh1,200.
- The penalty for failing to pay for a ticket after 10 minutes will be Dh200
- Parking on a patch of sand will incur a fine of Dh300
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
